GoKawiilFCC lets Saudi, Qatari, Abu Dhabi funds take 49.5% of Paramount-Warner Bros.
The FCC has waived its 25 percent cap on foreign equity ownership to approve a deal allowing sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi to collectively hold up to 49.5 percent of the combined Paramount-Warner Bros. entity. The agency argued the stakes carry no voting rights and therefore no control, but critics including Free Press and Commissioner Anna Gomez dispute that reasoning.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Brendan Carr's FCC has aggressively policed domestic broadcasters over perceived political bias, yet is waving through massive foreign government stakes in one of America's largest media companies, exposing an inconsistency in its stated priorities. Critics warn that even non-voting equity of this scale can translate into real influence over programming and editorial decisions at a major news and entertainment conglomerate.
- FCC waived its 25% foreign ownership cap for the Paramount-Warner Bros. deal
- Sovereign wealth funds from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi could own up to 49.5%
- Critics argue non-voting stakes can still translate into real editorial influence
Source: theverge.com — Terrence O'Brien, 2026-09-18
Published there as: “Brendan Carr’s FCC is more worried about who The View interviews than foreign governments owning Paramount”
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