FCC lets Paramount sell 49.5% equity stake to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar

Live updates

1. 30d ago

   Federal Judge Clears Paramount's $110 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery Takeover

   Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery cleared its final regulatory obstacle on September 30 after a federal judge approved an antitrust review. This follows the Federal Communications Commission's decision to allow Paramount to sell a 49.5 percent equity stake to investors from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. While the merger moves toward completion, the inclusion of Gulf funds has sparked opposition from lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders, who described the deal as outrageous.

   Why it matters

   The transaction combines two major media entities into a single conglomerate. The deal requires significant capital injections from Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds to facilitate the buyout.

   What is confirmed

   • Paramount is acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery in a $110 billion deal.
   • A federal judge approved an antitrust review of the acquisition on September 30.
   • The FCC authorized Paramount to sell a 49.5 percent equity stake to investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.

   What to watch next

   • Official closing date of the merger
   • Response from Senator Bernie Sanders to the antitrust approval
   Sources used for this update (3)

   1. arstechnica.com — Category: Policy - Ars Technica
   2. finance.biggo.com — Paramount's $110 Billion Warner Bros. Discovery Takeover ...
   3. enterpriseam.com — Holding ground - UAE
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2. 32d ago

   FCC Approves Paramount Sale of 49.5% Equity to Gulf Investors

   The Federal Communications Commission has authorized Paramount to sell a 49.5 percent equity stake to investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. This regulatory approval facilitates indirect ownership by Gulf funds as part of an ongoing buyout involving Warner Bros. Discovery. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders, who termed the transaction outrageous. Meanwhile, the broader merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery has progressed toward completion after months of advancement through regulatory steps.

   Why it matters

   The entry of Middle Eastern government-backed funds into major American media assets raises significant questions about foreign influence in domestic broadcasting and entertainment. This transaction coincides with a massive consolidation wave involving major Hollywood studios. Regulatory sign-offs from bodies like the Federal Communications Commission remain a critical hurdle for these transnational media mergers.

   What is confirmed

   • The Federal Communications Commission approved a request for Paramount to sell a 49.5 percent equity stake to investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
   • Senator Bernie Sanders described the Federal Communications Commission approval as outrageous.
   • Paramount's merger with Warner Bros. Discovery has been inching toward the finish line for the better part of the year.

   What to watch next

   • Finalization of the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger
   • Additional congressional responses to foreign equity stakes in US media companies
   Sources used for this update (2)

   1. www.comicbasics.com — Paramount Just Handed Almost Half the Company to Middle ...
   2. issuu.com — BusinessMirror September 29, 2026 by BusinessMirror - Issuu
   confidence 100%
3. 45d ago

   FCC approves 49.5% foreign ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros. merger

   The US Federal Communications Commission approved a request for Paramount to sell a 49.5% equity stake to investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. This decision allows indirect ownership by Gulf funds as part of a buyout involving Warner Bros. Discovery. While the regulatory body has signed off on the Middle East investments, the move has drawn criticism from Senator Bernie Sanders, who described the approval as outrageous.

   Why it matters

   The decision regulates the level of foreign control allowed in major US media conglomerates. It facilitates the financial restructuring of the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. entity through significant overseas capital.

   What is confirmed

   • The FCC approved 49.5% foreign ownership of the Paramount-Warner Bros. entity.
   • Investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar are permitted to hold an equity stake.
   • The FCC granted an indirect ownership request for Gulf funds regarding the Warner Bros. Discovery buyout.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Senator Bernie Sanders called the FCC approval outrageous.

   What to watch next

   • Official closing date of the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger
   • Further legislative or regulatory challenges to the foreign ownership stake
   Sources used for this update (7)

   1. Reuters — US FCC approves foreign investment in Paramount Warner merger
   2. variety.com — FCC Approves 49.5% Foreign Ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros.
   3. The Hollywood Reporter — FCC Signs Off on Middle East Investments in Paramount-Warner Bros Deal
   4. Los Angeles Times — FCC approves foreign owners for a merged Paramount-Warner Bros.
   5. Ars Technica — FCC lets Paramount sell 49.5% equity stake to Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar
   6. AP News — FCC grants Paramount's indirect ownership request for Gulf funds in Warner Bros. Discovery buyout
   7. Common Dreams — 'Outrageous': Sanders Slams FCC for Approving Saudi and UAE Ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros.
   confidence 100%