David Ellison, leading the Paramount Skydance joint venture, announced that he has raised $24 billion from Middle‑East investment funds to enable the purchase of Warner Bros. Discovery. According to the Wall Street Journal, Saudi Arabia will contribute about $10 billion, while Qatar and Abu Dhabi will cover the remaining amount. The deal totals roughly $111 billion, still subject to U.S. regulatory approval, and is expected to close by the third quarter of 2026. The Arab capital represents 20 % of the total value, but the investors will not receive governance rights or equity control, a strategy adopted to avoid FCC objections. Larry Ellison, David’s father, will also contribute about $46.7 billion.
The transaction has drawn intense scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice, which has already indicated that approval will not be straightforward.
