The decision paves the way for a proposed $111 billion merger uniting two rival studio giants — Paramount, owner of CBS, and the much larger Warner, which includes HBO and CNN.

Paramount Skydance defeated Netflix in the battle to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, committing $111 billion for the merger.

The DOJ approval is an important milestone for the roughly $110 billion deal, though it could still face legal challenges from state attorneys general.

A coalition of state attorneys general led by California is preparing a lawsuit to challenge the merger.

The $110 billion union of the parent companies of CBS Sports and TNT Sports drew much closer to reality Friday.