Skydance Media's Paramount Bid Targets CBS News DEI and Bias Initiatives
Skydance Media's bid for Paramount includes acquiring CBS News, planning to eliminate DEI initiatives and establish a media bias ombudsman to reshape its reporting.
FCC approves Paramount and Skydance Deal
Daily Caller
Paramount-Skydance Merger Gets the OK From the FCC
New York Post
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Overview
- Skydance Media intends to acquire Paramount and its assets, including CBS News, signaling significant operational changes upon completion of the bid.
- Upon acquisition, Skydance plans to eliminate existing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives across the entire company, specifically targeting CBS News operations.
- Skydance also pledges to establish an 'ombudsman' or media bias official at CBS News, aiming to thoroughly address and review potential biases in its reporting.
- These proposed changes aim to ensure CBS News operates in the public interest, potentially including efforts to 'Trumpify' the news outlet, as indicated in reports.
- Separately, Paramount recently settled a $16 million lawsuit with President Trump concerning a 60 Minutes interview featuring then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Paramount-Skydance merger neutrally, presenting key facts and diverse viewpoints without editorial bias. They report the FCC's approval, the Trump lawsuit settlement, and Paramount's DEI changes factually. The article balances quotes from FCC Chairman Carr and dissenting Commissioner Gomez, allowing readers to form their own conclusions based on the presented information.
"The merger between the independent film studio and one of Hollywood's oldest and most storied companies was first announced in 2024."
BBC News"Sen. Elizabeth Warren reacted to the FCC approval of the Skydance–Paramount merger, raising questions of whether the green light was the result of a corporate bribery of Donald Trump."
Deadline"The FCC's approval, which was necessary for the deal to move forward, caps a long-running corporate saga over the fate of Paramount, which owns Paramount+, the Paramount Pictures movie and television studios, the CBS television network and CBS News and Stations."
CBS News"The approval came after Skydance and its investment partner, RedBird Capital, assured the FCC of their commitment to unbiased journalism that represents diverse viewpoints."
USA TODAY"It is a dark chapter in a long and growing record of abuse that threatens press freedom in this country."
Deadline"The settlement triggered an outcry among critics who pilloried Paramount for backing down from the legal fight to increase the chances of closing the Skydance deal."
Associated Press"There is likely to be a sea change in the editorial direction of CBS News under its new ownership."
NBC News"The FCC on Thursday finally signed off on the marriage of Skydance Media and Paramount Global."
Deadline"Skydance also pledged to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the media conglomerate."
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FAQ
The acquisition is valued at approximately $8 billion, with the newly formed entity valued at around $28 billion. The transaction is expected to close on or before October 5, 2025.
Skydance plans to establish an ombudsman to review and address potential biases in CBS News programming, ensuring a diversity of viewpoints.
Paramount settled a $16 million lawsuit with President Trump related to a '60 Minutes' interview featuring then-Vice President Kamala Harris.
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