Shares of Paramount are set to open higher after the FCC approval its merger but amid ongoing uncertainty about its strategic plans under Skydance Media.

"Morning Joe" co-host Joe Scarborough warned Republicans they will suffer "blowback" for the $8 billion Paramount-Skydance merger

Upon the deal’s closing, Skydance and its financial partners are set inject $1.5 billion in cash into Paramount. However, that’s intended to go toward reducing Paramount’s long-term debt ($14.16 billion as of Q1 of 2025) to help stabilize its balance sheet.

Hours after announcing the approval of Skydance’s merger with Paramount, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr touted the company’s commitment to “addressing bias & restoring fact-based reporting” at CBS News, among other things.

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

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