Story perspectives

Paramount’s $110B merger nears FCC clearance after Musk request

By Drooid · Sep 23, 2026, 11:51 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ellison Courts Musk

Paramount CEO David Ellison asked Elon Musk to become an equity investor in the $110 billion merger.
The merger includes $81 billion of equity, with Larry Ellison guaranteeing roughly $46.7 billion.
Saudi, Qatar and UAE sovereign funds pledged $24 billion, owning 38.5% of the company.
The FCC allowed foreign investors to hold up to 49.5% non-voting equity.
A Thursday hearing will address the antitrust consent decree, with closing expected in two weeks.

Summary

Musk Fuels Media Shift

The merger could tilt major news outlets toward far-right viewpoints under Elon Musk and Larry Ellison.
Bari Weiss was appointed CBS News head and is expected to also lead CNN, signaling a conservative shift.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has banned CNN, MSNOW, and Politico, heightening concerns about media suppression.
Elon Musk’s extremist statements and $300 million support for Trump’s 2024 campaign fuel anxiety about his sway over CNN and CBS.

History

Historical Context

After the FCC’s 2018 vote allowing up to 49.5% non-voting foreign equity in U.S. broadcasters, a deregulation trend begun by the 1996 Telecommunications Act accelerated media consolidation. In 2026 Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery relies on $24 billion from Saudi, Qatari and UAE sovereign funds, reviving the same foreign-ownership precedent and raising fresh antitrust concerns.

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Ellison Courts Musk

Paramount CEO David Ellison asked Elon Musk to become an equity investor in the $110 billion merger.
The merger includes $81 billion of equity, with Larry Ellison guaranteeing roughly $46.7 billion.
Saudi, Qatar and UAE sovereign funds pledged $24 billion, owning 38.5% of the company.
The FCC allowed foreign investors to hold up to 49.5% non-voting equity.
A Thursday hearing will address the antitrust consent decree, with closing expected in two weeks.

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