Paramount Global and Skydance Media responded to critics of their pending merger, saying in a regulatory filing that they fail to show they’ll be harmed by the deal, and instead make demands that threaten free speech rights.

The deal, which is on track to close in the first half of 2025, is currently under review by the agency due to a required transfer of broadcast licenses

Paramount Global and Skydance Media punched back at critics of their pending merger, saying that they fail to show they’ll be harmed by the deal and instead their demands

Skydance Media and Paramount Global on Thursday defended their planned $8.4 billion merger, urging the Federal Communications Commission to dismiss opposition from critics, calling them “unwarranted” and “meritless”.

The firm said Tencent Holdings' investment in Skydance raises "troubling questions about undue foreign influence" and that CBS News has "exhibited improper ideological bias"

The planned $8.4 billion merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global has sparked debates over its potential to redefine the competitive landscape of US media. While the proposal has faced significant opposition from critics citing regulatory and ethical concerns,