The merger won approval from U.S. regulators, clearing the way for a sale that evolved into a clash over press freedom in the era of President Donald Trump.

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.

Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance Media was approved by the US Federal Communications Commission, which backed the deal after the Trump administration extracted concessions on the news and entertainment company’s political coverage and diversity practices.