Paramount Confirms Middle East Funds Are Backing WBD Buy
The Hollywood Reporter • • business
Key Points:
- Paramount Skydance has confirmed that its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery is partially funded by Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds, including Saudi Arabia’s PIF, Abu Dhabi’s L’Imad, and Qatar’s QIA.
- Additional equity stakeholders include the Ellison family, RedBird Capital, and newcomer LionTree Investment Fund, with the consortium aiming to diversify shareholders and leverage strategic and commercial opportunities.
- The “Ellison Guarantee,” a personal backstop by Oracle founder Larry Ellison for the deal, remains fully in effect, although it is unclear if David Ellison will seek further equity partners.
- Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion offer for Warner Bros. Discovery surpassed Netflix’s initial plan to acquire parts of Warner Bros., with Middle Eastern funds playing a key role in financing the successful bid.
- The exact equity stakes of the new investors remain undisclosed, but the Ellison family will maintain control over the merged company.
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