The US FCC has approved the merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media. This deal transfers control of CBS, Paramount Pictures and other networks to Skydance. The approval follows a settlement in a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump.

The Federal Communications Commission cleared the way Thursday for an $8 billion merger between Paramount and Skydance Media.

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.

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.

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

His profanity-laden monologue culminated in a performance with a church choir chanting, “sack the f–k up” or “go f–k yourself.”

Show' host's comments came shortly before it was announced that CBS has canceled 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.'