# FCC Approves Middle East Funds in Paramount-Warner Deal

> FCC clears Middle East sovereign wealth funds to hold 49.5% stake in Paramount-Warner merger without control.
- Title: FCC Approves Middle East Funds in Paramount-Warner Deal
- Summary: FCC clears Middle East sovereign wealth funds to hold 49.5% stake in Paramount-Warner merger without control. Foreign investors will own 49.5% of…
- Keywords: federal communications commission, paramount, warner bros discovery, sovereign wealth fund, saudi arabia, qatar investment authority, abu dhabi investment authority, foreign investment, broadcast industry, us media, nfl, FCC
- Source: The Hollywood Reporter — https://hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/middle-east-investment-paramount-warner-bros-deal-1236704913
- Author: Winston Cho
- Published: 2026-09-17T21:24:31+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: federal communications commission, paramount, warner bros discovery, sovereign wealth fund, saudi arabia, qatar investment authority, abu dhabi investment authority, foreign investment, broadcast industry, us media, nfl
## FCC Greenlights Foreign Ownership
The FCC approved Paramount's petition allowing foreign investors to hold over 25% of the studio's ownership.

> When the proposed transaction with Warner Bros. Discovery closes, the Ellison family and RedBird will collectively hold the largest equity stake in the combined company and 100% of the voting shares, with no other equity participant having any governance rights.
## Middle East Funds Back Deal
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Qatar Investment Authority, and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority are financing the $111 billion acquisition.
## Foreign Ownership Details
The sovereign wealth funds will hold 49.5% of the combined company through non-voting equity investments with no governance rights.
## FCC Rejects Editorial Concerns
The FCC dismissed concerns that foreign investors would influence CBS News or CNN editorial decisions.
## Conditions for Foreign Investors
Foreign investors cannot access nonpublic U.S. data or hold governance rights, with potential sanctions for violations.
## Key takeaway

Foreign investors will own 49.5% of Paramount-Warner without voting rights or editorial influence.