Skydance, Paramount and CBS
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Skydance Media said it’s willing to install an ombudsman to review any complaints of bias at CBS as a condition of its pending merger with Paramount Global.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr praised Skydance Media’s commitment to hire an ombudsman for CBS News after it completes its merger with Paramount Global. The commitment was outlined in a filing with the FCC this week.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said Thursday he was “pleased” with commitments from Skydance Media to reform CBS, as the agency nears a decision on the $8 billion Paramount merger. Skydance submitted a letter this week pledging to hire an ombudsman to address complaints of media bias and to present “a diversity of viewpoints” on CBS
Carr was asked by CNBC about comments from the sole Democrat remaining on the FCC commission, Anna Gomez, who called the merger approval a “cowardly capitulation to this Administration.” Carr was asked if there was a quid pro quo, something he didn’t directly address.
On Thursday, the FCC voted 2-1 to approve the $8.4 billion merger between CBS parent Paramount Global (PARA.O) and Skydance Media after Skydance agreed to ensure CBS news and entertainment programming is free of bias, hire an ombudsman for at least two years to review complaints and end diversity programs.