Former TV anchor Connie Chung said on Friday that the recent Paramount Global-Skydance Media merger could mark the end of CBS News as she once knew it.

The Federal Communications Commission has cleared the way for Paramount Global to complete its merger with Skydance Media, announcing Thursday that it has approved the deal. The decision removes a final hurdle for the media and entertainment companies to close their transaction. Paramount is the parent company of CBS.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved the $8 billion merger of Paramount Global and Skydance Media, claiming “significant changes,” are coming to the CBS owner.

Former CBS News anchor Connie Chung criticized Paramount Global's merger with Skydance Media for eliminating "unbiased" journalism at her old network.

The FCC approved the transfer of CBS licenses to Skydance's ownership group, paving the way to the merger of Skydance and Paramount.

“The FCC’s approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger reeks of the worst form of corruption,” Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) said in a joint statement. “The stench of this transaction will linger over the Commission for years.”

CBS parent Paramount needs approval from the FCC for an $8.4-billion merger with Skydance Media. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said after a commission meeting the agency continues to review the deal and praised commitments to end diversity programs. The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.

Skydance committed to removing DEI programs and establishing a bias complaint system at CBS News as it seeks FCC approval for Paramount merger.

FCC chairman Brendan Carr praised Skydance Media's commitment to hire an ombudsman for CBS News after it completes its merger with Paramount Global.