Hollywood
Publicly funded Veronica Mars set to kick off the spring Paley Fest
The 31st annual Paley Fest has just released its first three events. First on the list would be the highly anticipated movie sequel to the cult favorite TV show, Veronica Mars. This is no ordinary film; this would the first major film to be completely produced by the mass public.
On 13 March, 2013, writer Rob Thomas and star Kristen Bell launched a fundraising campaign to produce the film through Kickstarter. On its first day on Kickstarter, the project broke the record of being the fastest project to collect $1 million and then even $2 million towards the end of the day. It also achieved the highest minimal pledging goal achieved and is now considered the largest successful film project on Kickstarter.
The date of the panel is no coincidence, the cast along with the writer, Rob Thomas, would inaugurate the Paley Fest on 13 March, 2014, exactly one year to the date of its Kickstarter campaign, and also a day prior to its limited release in the US.
The William S. Paley Television Festival founded in 1984, is an extraordinary interactive pop culture event produced by The Paley Center for Media that connects fans with the casts and creators of their favorite series. Named after the founder of both the Paley Center and CBS, Paley Fest is a two-week event where the audience gets a sneak preview of the new episodes or highlights of the featured work followed by a panel discussion and Q&A with the cast and creative team. Paley Fest 2014 would be held from 13-28 March.
Other panels announced so far at the annual fest include Paley fest regulars, American Horror Story: Coven and Pretty Little Liars. The full line up is scheduled to be released on 8 January. In addition to the aforementioned, Paley Fest would change its venue from the Saban Theater, which can accommodate about 1600 people in Beverly Hills to the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland, which can accommodate up to 2800.
Veronica Mars is scheduled to make its India release in mid 2014.
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.
