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Gulf Funds Back $81B Warner Takeover

Wall Street Journal US Business •
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Paramount has secured $24 billion in equity commitments from three Gulf sovereign wealth funds to finance its $81 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. The deal, led by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, will provide crucial backing for the Ellison family's ambitious media consolidation. This massive injection of capital underscores the growing influence of Middle Eastern investors in global entertainment consolidation.

Saudi Arabia's PIF will contribute approximately $10 billion to the package, with Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi's L'imad Holding Co. providing the remainder. The funds' involvement comes amid increased economic and political activity from the region. Warner Bros. Discovery, which owns valuable properties including HBO, CNN, and the Harry Potter franchise, represents a significant strategic asset for the consortium.

The acquisition, announced in February, currently awaits regulatory review in Europe. Paramount executives have informed employees that the deal could close as soon as July pending approval. The agreement represents one of the largest media mergers in recent years, combining extensive content libraries and distribution networks under David Ellison's leadership.