The Middle East’s deepest pockets are back in the spotlight — and this time the stage is Hollywood.
A trio of Gulf sovereign investors has lined up behind Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners to bankroll a hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery. The move aims to derail Netflix’s competing offer and push a rival bid led by Paramount Skydance.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi’s L’imad Holding Co. have joined Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners to finance a potential deal, according to an SEC filing.
The structure is strategic: by giving up governance and board rights, the Gulf funds avoid review by the US Committee on Foreign Investment, clearing a potentially thorny regulatory hurdle.
It is the second time this year that the Saudi wealth has partnered with Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law on a major deal. Affinity Partners was part of the consortium that agreed to acquire Electronics Arts Inc. in September in a $55 billion transaction.
Paramount on Monday launched a $108.4 billion all-cash tender offer for Warner Bros. at $30 per share, topping Netflix’s $82.7 billion mix of cash and stock. The offer expires at 5 p.m. New York time on January 8, 2026, unless extended — setting a tight deadline for one of the most dramatic media fights in years.
📌 Why it matters:
Gulf sovereign wealth funds aren’t just financing tech and sports anymore — they’re becoming kingmakers in global media. Their capital is shaping who controls content pipelines that influence culture, politics and entertainment worldwide.
📌 Bottom line:
Deep Gulf capital is becoming the must-have weapon in blockbuster dealmaking. If you want to win the biggest media battles, you need Middle Eastern money on your side.Paramount press release
