David Ellison, leading the joint venture Paramount Skydance, announced that he has secured $24 billion from Middle Eastern 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 approval by U.S. authorities, and is expected to close by the third quarter of 2026. The Arab funding 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 operation has generated intense scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice, which has already indicated that approval will not be straightforward.
