Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states pledged to invest $24 billion in Paramount's WBD deal. Is that still on?

"In early December, Paramount had told WBD it intended to raise $24 billion via state-controlled funds from three countries: Saudi Arabia, which would contribute $12 billion, and Abu Dhabi and Qatar, which would kick in $7 billion each. And Paramount later said those countries would not ask for board seats or voting rights alongside their equity stakes."

"In government filings and on an investor call Monday, Paramount reiterated that the Ellisons and private-equity firm RedBird Capital Partners have pledged $47 billion toward the roughly $81 billion Paramount will pay to buy out WBD shareholders. The rest will be financed with debt."

Paramount won the rights to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery after Netflix withdrew from negotiations. The Ellisons and RedBird Capital Partners pledged $47 billion toward the approximately $81 billion purchase price, with remaining funds financed through debt. However, Paramount has not publicly confirmed whether three Middle Eastern countries—Saudi Arabia ($12 billion), Abu Dhabi ($7 billion), and Qatar ($7 billion)—that were previously lined up to support an earlier acquisition bid will participate in this new deal. The company's merger agreement permits selling equity stakes but does not identify specific investors. Warner Bros. Discovery previously raised concerns about potential regulatory issues involving foreign investors.

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