Paramount Global and Skydance Media are nearing the finish line of their $8 billion merger. But after months of twists and turns, thereโs yet another hurdle standing in the way of controlling shareholder Shari Redstone passing off her familyโs empire to David Ellison: Donald Trumpโs new Federal Communications Commission chairman Brendan Carr.
The Skydance deal, which is subject to approval by the FCC due to a required transfer of broadcast licenses of Paramountโs 28 owned-and-operated local TV stations, is currently on track to close in the first half of 2025. But Carr, a Trump loyalist, has put increased scrutiny on Paramount-owned CBS by reviving a previously dismissed โnews distortionโ complaint to the FCC against the network from The Center for American Rights โ a self-described โnonpartisan public interest law firmโ โ over a โ60 Minutesโ interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.