FCC approval of deal comes after Paramount paid $16m to settle Trump lawsuit over 60 Minutes interview
The Federal Communications Commission approved the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media on Thursday, clearing the way for an $8.4bn sale of some of the most prominent names in entertainment, including the CBS broadcast television network, Paramount Pictures, and the Nickelodeon cable channel.
The FCC agreed to transfer broadcast licenses for 28 owned-and-operated CBS television stations to the new owners after Paramount paid $16m to settle a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with former vice-president Kamala Harris that aired in October.
The Federal Communications Commission chair, Brendan Carr, has said the agency’s review of the proposed merger was not connected to the civil suit. Carr was hand-picked by Donald Trump to lead the FCC.
Paramount Global, which owns CBS, came under fire last week after the company decided to cancel The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, just a few days after its host criticized Paramount’ for settling with Trump. Colbert called the settlement “a big, fat bribe”.
