Paramount had said it expected to close the $8.4 billion merger in the first half of 2025. But the first half of the year came and went, and the merger remained under review by the FCC and its chair Brendan Carr, who had been appointed to the role earlier this year by President Trump.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved the $8 billion merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media, claiming “significant changes,” are coming to the CBS owner.

The FCC approved the transfer of CBS licenses to Skydance's ownership group, paving the way to the merger of Skydance and Paramount.

Plus, Hulk Hogan, the pro wrestler who brought the sport to new heights of mainstream popularity, died at the age of 71.

The FCC approved Skydance Media's $8 billion bid to acquire Paramount, the parent company of CBS. The green light from the FCC comes after Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement with President Trump over his lawsuit accusing “60 Minutes” of deceptively editing an interview with then-presidential candidate Kamala Harris.

Skydance Media has made additional promises to the FCC in an effort to get approval for its $8 billion merger with Paramount Global.

The merger has faced scrutiny for what critics view as capitulations to Donald Trump, including a $16m settlement.

Federal regulators on Thursday approved Paramount’s $8 billion merger with Skydance, clearing the way to close a deal that combined Hollywood glitz with political intrigue.

David Letterman unloaded on CBS and Skydance on Friday for cancelling “The Late Show,” which he launched 32 years ago, saying the network had mistreated his successor, Stephen Colbert. In an interview posted to his YouTube channel,