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● TRACKER Updated 33d ago · 20 sources tracked

'Outrageous': Sanders Slams FCC for Approving Saudi and UAE Ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros.

Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the Federal Communications Commission for allowing investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar to acquire a 49.5 percent equity stake in the combined Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery entity. The foreign investment authorization proceeded alongside a federal court settlement resolving an antitrust challenge from state attorneys general. This sequence of approvals clears the final obstacles for the corporate merger, escalating ongoing concerns regarding foreign influence, media consolidation, and the preservation of editorial independence within American media companies.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ A federal judge approved a settlement resolving an antitrust lawsuit from state attorneys general on Wednesday afternoon.
  • ✓ The settlement clears the final stages for Paramount to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery.
  • ✓ The merger follows FCC approval led by Chair Brendan Carr allowing a 49.5% equity stake for investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
  • ✓ Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the foreign investment decision as outrageous.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 20 independent reporting domains (100% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

A federal judge approved an antitrust settlement that resolves a lawsuit from state attorneys general and clears the final procedural hurdles for the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.

Live updates

  1. Sanders Slams FCC Approval of Foreign Stake in Paramount-Warner Bros.

    Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the Federal Communications Commission for allowing investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar to acquire a 49.5 percent equity stake in the combined Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery entity. The foreign investment authorization proceeded alongside a federal court settlement resolving an antitrust challenge from state attorneys general. This sequence of approvals clears the final obstacles for the corporate merger, escalating ongoing concerns regarding foreign influence, media consolidation, and the preservation of editorial independence within American media companies.

    Why it matters

    The Federal Communications Commission greenlit substantial Gulf state ownership in a major American media conglomerate, drawing sharp political condemnation from lawmakers like Senator Bernie Sanders. Concurrently, a federal judge settled an antitrust lawsuit brought by state attorneys general, removing the final legal barriers standing in the way of the corporate consolidation between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery.

    What is confirmed

    • A federal judge approved a settlement resolving an antitrust lawsuit from state attorneys general on Wednesday afternoon.
    • The settlement clears the final stages for Paramount to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery.
    • The merger follows FCC approval led by Chair Brendan Carr allowing a 49.5% equity stake for investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
    • Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the foreign investment decision as outrageous.

    What to watch next

    • Further congressional inquiries into FCC foreign equity approvals
    • Implementation steps and timeline for the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery entity
    Sources used for this update (6)
    1. en.wikipedia.org — Outrageous (TV series) - Wikipedia
    2. dictionary.cambridge.org — OUTRAGEOUS | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary
    3. www.youtube.com — Outrageous Season 1 Trailer - YouTube
    4. www.townandcountrymag.com — Is 'Outrageous' Renewed for a Season 2? - Town & Country Magazine
    5. www.rottentomatoes.com — Outrageous (2025) | Rotten Tomatoes
    6. www.rottentomatoes.com — Outrageous: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes
    confidence 100%

  2. Federal Judge and FCC Advance Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

    A federal judge approved a settlement on Wednesday afternoon resolving an antitrust lawsuit from state attorneys general, clearing the final stages for Paramount to merge with Warner Bros. Discovery. The monumental deal follows FCC approval led by Chair Brendan Carr allowing a 49.5% equity stake for investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Senator Bernie Sanders condemned the foreign investment decision as outrageous. The massive transaction has intensified scrutiny regarding corporate consolidation and editorial independence across American media.

    Why it matters

    The merger path involved resolving antitrust litigation initiated by state attorneys general and securing regulatory greenlights. Paramount has pursued the combination to address financial challenges amid changing industry conditions. The inclusion of substantial Middle Eastern investment and the oversight conditions attached by regulators have sparked intense political debate.

    What is confirmed

    • A federal judge approved an antitrust settlement on Wednesday afternoon regarding the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger.
    • The FCC approved foreign investment allowing a 49.5% equity stake to be sold to investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
    • Senator Bernie Sanders criticized the FCC decision as outrageous, stating Middle East dictators should not control American media.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Questions remain about corporate consolidation, editorial independence, and what will happen when a five-year theatrical agreement ends.

    What to watch next

    • Finalization of ownership transfers for the approved equity stakes
    • Execution of the five-year theatrical agreement terms
    Sources used for this update (7)
    1. www.soup.io — WBD News: Paramount-WBD Merger Approved by FCC
    2. www.comicbasics.com — Paramount Just Handed Almost Half the Company to Middle ...
    3. www.cnn.com — Paramount-Warner Bros. merger moves forward after judge ... - CNN
    4. www.aljazeera.com — US judge approves settlement allowing Paramount to acquire ...
    5. www.streamingmeme.com — FCC Approves Skydance Paramount Merger With New Conditions
    6. www.wionews.com — FCC approves controversial $8.4 billion Paramount-Skydance merger
    7. www.cnbc.com — What did Paramount promise Hollywood to secure WBD? - CNBC
    confidence 100%

  3. FCC Approves Foreign Investment in Paramount-Warner Bros. Merger

    The Federal Communications Commission approved a request allowing foreign investment in a merged Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery entity. The ruling permits a 49.5% equity stake to be sold to investors from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Senator Bernie Sanders criticized the decision as "outrageous," stating that Middle East dictators should not control American media. The approval was led by FCC Chair Brendan Carr.

    Why it matters

    The decision impacts the ownership structure of a combined media giant formed by the merger of Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery. Foreign ownership limits in U.S. media are often scrutinized for national security and cultural influence. This specific ruling allows significant Gulf state funding to support the buyout.

    What is confirmed

    • The FCC approved foreign investment in the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
    • The approval allows for 49.5% foreign ownership of the merged company.
    • Investment is permitted from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
    • FCC Chair Brendan Carr led the approval process.

    Still unconfirmed

    • Senator Bernie Sanders claimed that Middle East dictators should not control American media.

    What to watch next

    • Legal challenges to the FCC ownership ruling
    • Finalization of the Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery merger
    Sources used for this update (8)
    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.
    8. alaska-native-news.com — ‘Outrageous’: Sanders Slams FCC for Approving Saudi and UAE Ownership of Paramount-Warner Bros.
    confidence 100%
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