FCC approves Skydance’s $8 billion merger with Paramount
(NYT) — The Federal Communications Commission said Thursday that it would allow Paramount to merge with Hollywood studio Skydance, clearing the way for one of the most highly scrutinized media deals in the past decade.
Brendan Carr, chair of the FCC, said in a statement that the agency had approved the deal after receiving assurances from Skydance that the new company would be committed to unbiased journalism and would not establish programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion.
“Americans no longer trust the legacy national news media to report fully, accurately and fairly,” Carr said in the statement. “It is time for a change. That is why I welcome Skydance’s commitment to make significant changes at the once storied CBS broadcast network.”
Carr’s approval was the biggest remaining hurdle for the $8 billion deal, which has generated near-weekly headlines since it was announced last July. And it effectively ushers in the beginning of a new family dynasty for Paramount, which has been controlled by the Redstone family for decades. David Ellison, son of tech billionaire Larry Ellison, plans to take control of the company when the deal closes.
In recent days, Skydance took steps to assuage Carr, telling the agency that it would install an official at the news division to ensure fairness in its journalism and committing to avoiding DEI programs at the company. In his statement, Carr lauded these steps, saying they would “begin the process of earning back Americans’ trust.”
Anna M. Gomez, a Democratic commissioner on the FCC, said in a statement that the agency had used “its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom.”
Food Network star Anne Burrell’s death is ruled a suicide
(NYT) — Food Network star Anne Burrell’s death has been ruled a suicide, according to New York City’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The cause of death was given as “acute intoxication” due to the combined effects of alcohol, amphetamine and antihistamines.
The New York Police Department had been investigating the June 17 death as a suicide. According to an internal document reviewed by The New York Times, Burrell, 55, was “discovered in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills.”
Burrell was a beloved chef with a larger-than-life personality. Her death prompted an outpouring of support from fellow Food Network stars and fans of her shows, which included “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” and “Worst Cooks in America.”
She rose to fame as the sous chef for Mario Batali on “Iron Chef America.” Her no-nonsense, outgoing persona caught the attention of the network, which offered Burrell her own show, “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef,” premiering in 2008. She remained a constant presence on the network, accumulating legions of fans for her culinary prowess, platinum swoop of hair and ebullient demeanor.
Despite her success at the network, there were recent hints of tension. Namely, the Food Network announced in January that Burrell would not host the upcoming season of “Worst Cooks,” which premiered that month, with no explanation as to why the change was made. After her death, the network announced that it would air the chef’s already filmed final season, titled “Worst Cooks in America: Talented and Terrible.”