Skydance CEO David Ellison Meets FCC Chair Ahead of $8.4B Paramount Merger and The Late Show Cancellation

David Ellison, CEO of Skydance and likely new owner of CBS, met with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chair Brendan Carr and other FCC officials on July 15 to discuss the $8.4 billion Paramount–Skydance merger. In a government filing, Skydance confirmed the meeting, emphasizing the company's commitment to unbiased journalism and arguing that the merger would serve the public interest. The discussions preceded the cancellation of "The Late Show," which some industry observers interpret as a quid pro quo to secure regulatory approval for the merger and as a sign of potential shifts in the late-night television format. Additionally, David Rhodes, Sky News executive chairman and former CBS News president, is reportedly in talks to lead CBS News if the merger is completed. The Writers Guild of America (WGA) criticized the cancellation of "The Late Show," describing it as a "bribe" linked to the merger approval process and has called on New York State Attorney General Letitia James to investigate.