Prime of the Ticker: Late Thursday, the Federal Communications Fee permitted the long-planned merger between CBS Information’ dad or mum firm, Paramount International, and Skydance Media. The nod from the FCC paves the way in which for the upcoming closure of the $8 billion deal. Prior to now few days, it was revealed that Skydance Media, by its lead legal professional, made a number of concessions to the FCC to acquire the inexperienced gentle for the merger. This contains committing to put in an ombudsman to overview “complaints of bias or different issues” at CBS Information. The corporate additionally confirmed that Paramount eradicated its range, fairness, and inclusion initiatives.
These concessions observe the $16 million settlement reached by Paramount International with President Donald Trump over a lawsuit filed in 2024, which accused CBS Information of “deceitful” enhancing throughout a 60 Minutes interview with former Vice President and then-Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris.
Famine concern: BBC Information—alongside different main information businesses together with the Related Press, Reuters, and Agence France-Presse—issued a joint assertion addressing a possible famine scenario that might impression journalists protecting the Israel-Hamas battle in Gaza. Within the joint assertion, BBC Information mentioned the information organizations are “deeply involved” about journalists within the area who’re “going through the identical dire circumstances as these they’re protecting.” The assertion additional added, “Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in battle zones. We’re deeply alarmed that the specter of hunger is now one among them. We as soon as once more urge the Israeli authorities to permit journalists out and in of Gaza. It’s important that satisfactory meals provides attain the folks there.”
A joint assertion on Gaza from AFP, AP, BBC Information and Reuters pic.twitter.com/E9b1gTYDpu
— BBC Information Press Staff (@BBCNewsPR) July 24, 2025
FCC objection: Conservative-leaning information community Newsmax filed an objection with the FCC Wednesday difficult any transfer that might weaken or remove the Horizontal Possession Cap. The submitting is in response to the FCC’s issuance of a public discover in June, in search of public touch upon whether or not to retain, revise, or cast off the cap. Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy mentioned within the submitting, “If networks like CBS, ABC, and NBC have been allowed to broaden their attain unchecked, they’d have even much less incentive to supply programming that displays the values of native communities, notably these in America’s heartland.”
Second sports activities deal: Fox Nation struck its second dwell sports activities deal, turning into the unique broadcast accomplice for the inaugural matches of recent wrestling league Actual American Freestyle. Fox Information’ streaming service will broadcast the primary matchup Saturday, Aug. 30, from Cleveland. RAF was based by Eric Bischoff, Chad Bronstein, and WWE Corridor of Famer Hulk Hogan, who handed away Thursday, July 24.
BREAKING: @foxnation is the unique broadcast accomplice for Actual American Freestyle.
Watch the historic launch of #RAF01 streaming dwell August 30. pic.twitter.com/S6sDp0Akpg
— Actual American Freestyle (@RAFWrestlingUSA) July 21, 2025