Hollywood
Times Network evokes the ‘hero’ in viewers with its Republic Day movies line-up
Times Network, a part of India’s largest media conglomerate, The Times Group, commemorates the 69th Republic Day of India through a specially curated line-up of movies on its channels MOVIES NOW and MNX featuring big screen heroes who save the world from dark forces. With movies such as ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’, ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron,’ ‘Valkyrie’, ‘Ben-Hur,’ and ‘The Dark Knight’, Times Network’s English movie channels, MOVIES NOW and MNX, bring to its viewers a formidable line- up of Hollywood blockbusters that celebrate guts, glory and action.
Movies NOW through its property ‘Badge of Courage’, celebrates heroism & passion this Republic Day from 9am to 9pm with an array of Hollywood blockbusters like Captain America: The First Avenger, Thor, Marvel’s The Avengers, Avengers: Age Of Ultron and Ant-Man. Movies NOW has assembled all its super heroes to ignite the spirit of nationalism amongst Indian audiences who in their quest to save the world from destruction, exude courage and valour which are symbolic of what Republic Day is all about.
Likewise, MNX through their line-up seek to inspire audiences with films that celebrate resilience, bravery and commitment, values which are characteristic of any hero to the nation. Viewers will be privy to films where the good guys undergo hardships to emerge triumphant in the end be it Valkyrie (overcoming Nazi rule), London has Fallen (fighting terrorism), Ben-Hur (reclaiming lost honour) to The Lone Ranger (capturing rogue outlaws) to name a few.
Wear your badge of courage this Republic Day and tune in to catch the movie line-up on Movies NOW and MNX on Friday, January 26th
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.
