The negotiation happened amid a backdrop of a pending merger between Paramount and Skydance, which is set to assume control of Paramount in the coming weeks. The company is owned by David Ellison, the son of billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison.

South Park co-creator Trey Parker has made a short joke apology to President Donald Trump for ridiculing him in the opening show of their 27th season. The episode, broadcast on Wednesday, made several jokes at the US president's expense, including depicting him naked in bed with Satan.

The creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, have issued a sarcastic apology to US president Donald Trump after he was left “seething” over a cartoon showing him in bed with the devil.