Paramount-Skydance Merger Deal Remains In Limbo

NY Post Graphic

Charles Gasparino’s report this week in the New York Post delves into the ongoing delays surrounding the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) review of the $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media. 

Titled “Why the Paramount-Skydance merger remains in FCC purgatory,” the article outlines how the deal, initially expected to close by spring 2025, has been bogged down by regulatory scrutiny and political pressures, potentially pushing approval into the second half of the year.

Gasparino highlights that the FCC’s investigation stems from a complaint by the Center for American Rights (CAR), a conservative group, which alleges that Paramount’s CBS News violated the agency’s “public interest” rules. 

The complaint focuses on CBS’s handling of a “60 Minutes” interview with Vice President Kamala Harris in October 2024, where two different edits of her responses were aired across CBS programs, prompting accusations of deceptive editing. This “news distortion” probe, led by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, has become a significant hurdle, as Carr has tied it explicitly to the merger review process.

The report notes that the FCC signaled a prolonged timeline during a February 2025 meeting with CAR officials, suggesting the agency might impose “remedies” before approving the deal. 

Gasparino cites sources indicating that this could extend the process for months, with no resolution expected before summer 2025. Adding complexity, President Donald Trump has filed a $20 billion lawsuit against Paramount and CBS News over the same Harris interview, claiming it cost his Truth Social platform viewership.