In a statement, FCC Chair Brendan Carr says the deal was allowed to go through only after the new owners agreed to make ideological changes to its news programming and end DEI policies

Skydance has emphasized that the commitments are voluntary. Previously, Skydance and Paramount had argued against conditions imposed by the FCC to mandate benchmarks for viewpoint neutrality, saying that they would be “squarely foreclosed by the First Amendment and Supreme Court precedent.”

Trump's legal team lauded the agreement as a win for media accountability. But experts are concerned for the free press.

The $8 billion deal's green light comes after CBS reached a $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over his lawsuit against "60 Minutes"

Despite this regrettable outcome, this Administration is not done with its assault on the First Amendment. In fact, it may only be beginning," Anna M. Gomez said.

The FCC voted 2-1, with FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez dissenting. "After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions,

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved Skydance’s $8 billion purchase of CBS-owner Paramount after the companies agreed to end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs but feature a “diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.”

Trump administration regulators have approved Skydance Media’s $8 billion bid to acquire CBS News parent company Paramount, paving the way for a tectonic shift in ownership of one of America’s three major networks.

Regulators won't stand in the way of Skydance's Paramount acquisition. The Federal Communications Commission has approved the $8 billion purchase of Paramount Global and its subsidiaries, including the parent company of CBS Network.

Democratic FCC commissioner Anna Gomez said Wednesday that “approving this transaction behind closed doors would be a shameful outcome.”

CBS parent Paramount needs approval from the FCC for an $8.4-billion merger with Skydance Media. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said after a commission meeting the agency continues to review the deal and praised commitments to end diversity programs.