US regulators approve Skydance acquisition of Paramount
Deal gets go-ahead just weeks after Hollywood studio paid $16mn to settle a lawsuit by the US president
Deal gets go-ahead just weeks after Hollywood studio paid $16mn to settle a lawsuit by the US president

Legal battle comes as media group awaits approval from US administration for merger with Hollywood studio Skydance

The audacious deal to combine Paramount and Warner Bros has huge repercussions and steep challenges

Agreement with mixed martial arts promoter is the largest since David Ellison took charge of Hollywood studio

Antitrust concerns and ties to Trump administration complicate picture of who may ultimately own media group

Big media tie-ups have a poor record at creating value

Streaming company’s decision ends months-long battle to buy parent of CNN, HBO and franchises such as Harry Potter