Hollywood
Sony Pix to premiere ‘American Hustle’
MUMBAI: Sony Pix will be premiering American Hustle, a black comedy crime movie for the first time on Indian television. The movie is inspired by the real life story of FBI ABSCAM operation and will air on 26 December at 9 pm.
The movie is presented by Moto 360 in association with Adidas and Van Heusen.
Directed by David O Russell, the movie highlights the scandals of 1970s and portrays the story of a con man named Irving Rosenfeld played by Christian Bale, who along with his partner Sydney Prosser played by Amy Adams, is forced to work for a wild FBI agent named Richie DiMaso played by Bradley Cooper.
DiMaso pushes them into the world of the Jersey powerbrokers and the mafia that is as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner plays Carmine Polito, the political operator caught between the con-artists and the Feds. Irving’s unpredictable wife Rosalyn played by Jennifer Lawrence, could be identified as the one to bring the entire world crashing down like a delicate pack of cards.
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.
