Skydance Drops DEI Policies at Paramount
Bruno Pferd 
Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- The merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global will result in changes to DEI policies, with Skydance no longer maintaining or developing these programs within the new structure.
- An independent ombudsman role will be established at CBS News to investigate complaints regarding editorial bias and report directly to the station president, addressing concerns about political bias in reporting.
- The merger agreement also includes a potential change for future Star Trek productions, with Paramount possibly parting ways with Alex Kurtzmans production company, Significant shift in storytelling might occur, focusing more on narrative and less on overt sociopolitical themes.
- This merger could signal a creative shift, particularly for Star Trek fans, as the future of the franchise may take a new direction with changes in leadership and focus.
Merger Shifts DEI Policies, Ombudsman Role for CBS News at Skydance-Paramount
The proposed merger between Skydance Media and Paramount Global includes significant changes. Skydance, led by David Ellison, has informed the FCC that it will not maintain or develop Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within the new Paramount structure. Instead, the company pledges to adhere to nondiscrimination laws. This decision aligns with Paramount’s shift away from certain DEI policies, a move that followed the US Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard in February 2025. As part of the merger agreement, Skydance also committed to establishing an independent ombudsman role at CBS News. This ombudsman will investigate complaints regarding editorial bias and report directly to the station president. This initiative aims to satisfy FCC requirements for merger approval, specifically addressing concerns about political bias in CBS News reporting. For Star Trek fans, these developments could signal a creative shift. With Alex Kurtzman’s contract concluding after the fifth season of Strange New Worlds, reports suggest Paramount may part ways with Kurtzman’s production company, Secret Hideout. If so, future Star Trek productions might prioritize storytelling over overt sociopolitical themes.
About the Author
Jonathan Dubinski 
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