Hollywood
The Rainmaker to premiere in India on 19 February on Moviesphere+
Legal drama based on John Grisham novel arrives on Moviesphere+
MUMBAI: The courtroom is about to get crowded. The Rainmaker, the legal drama inspired by John Grisham’s bestselling novel, will premiere in India on 19 February 2026, streaming exclusively on Moviesphere+. The first three episodes of Season 1 will drop on launch day, giving viewers an immediate front-row seat to the action.
Set in the high-pressure world of trial law, the series follows an idealistic rookie advocate whose first major case pits him against a powerful corporate giant. What begins as a career-defining opportunity soon turns into a test of nerve, ethics and survival, as the young lawyer learns that the courtroom is as much about character as it is about the law.
The show stars Milo Callaghan in the lead, supported by Lana Parrilla, known for Once Upon a Time and The Lincoln Lawyer, and Mad Men favourite John Slattery. Together, they bring to life a story filled with tense arguments, shifting loyalties and emotional stakes that run deeper than any legal brief.
Blending sharp courtroom exchanges with personal drama, the series channels the energy of fan favourites such as Suits and The Lincoln Lawyer, while carving out its own identity as a tale of ambition, integrity and the price of standing up to the system.
Part of global content leader Lionsgate, Moviesphere+ continues to build its India catalogue with a mix of Hollywood blockbusters, popular series and international hits. Indian viewers can begin streaming The Rainmaker from 19 February 2026 as part of its exclusive release on the platform, priced at Rs 399.
Hollywood
Paramount eyes $24bn Gulf support to fund Warner Bros Discovery merger: Reports
Sovereign funds line up funding as media giants chase streaming scale
NEW YORK: Paramount Skydance is in talks to secure nearly $24 billion in equity commitments from Gulf sovereign wealth funds to support its planned takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a WSJ report.
The funding push comes as Paramount Skydance advances its proposed $110 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, which carries an equity valuation of $81 billion and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
At the heart of the financing plan are three major Gulf investors. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is expected to contribute roughly $10 billion, while the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based L’imad Holding are likely to make up the remainder.
Crucially, the proposed investments are structured as non-voting stakes. This means the Gulf backers would not have direct control in the combined entity, a move designed to ease regulatory concerns in the United States. Paramount executives reportedly do not expect the deal to trigger scrutiny from bodies such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or the Federal Communications Commission.
If completed, the merger would bring together a formidable portfolio of entertainment and news assets, including CNN and CBS. The combined entity aims to better compete in a fast-evolving media landscape where streaming platforms are steadily pulling audiences away from traditional television.
The deal reflects a broader shift in global media, where scale is increasingly seen as essential to survive the streaming wars. By pooling content libraries, technology and distribution, Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery are betting on size and synergy to drive future growth.
The involvement of deep-pocketed Gulf investors also underscores the growing role of sovereign wealth in shaping global media consolidation, particularly at a time when high-value deals demand equally large financial backing.
With shareholder votes and regulatory milestones still ahead, the proposed tie-up remains one of the most closely watched media deals of the year. If it clears the final hurdles, it could redraw the competitive map of the global entertainment industry.
