Saudis Reportedly Eyeing Warner Bros. Discovery With Comcast

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Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which is estimated to be worth over a trillion dollars, is reportedly considering a bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). They may be partnering with Comcast in this potential deal.

Comcast’s CEO, Brian Roberts, recently visited Saudi Arabia to meet with officials from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and discuss a potential offer for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD).

Sources like The New York Post and Puck News report that Roberts also toured Qiddiya, the location of a new Saudi Arabian entertainment city. A Universal-themed park, developed with Comcast, is planned for the area.

Why the Saudis Are Interested: Studios, Streaming & Theme Parks

It’s strategically logical for Saudi Arabia to be involved. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) might want to use the Warner Bros./DC properties as the main attraction for a Universal Studios park they’re planning in Qiddiya, working with Comcast’s established theme park resources.

Bringing together Saudi and Comcast would combine worldwide content, streaming and intellectual property rights, and a physical location all in one offering.

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) is preparing to be sold by dividing into two separate companies by mid-2026. One company will concentrate on film and streaming services (Warner Bros.), while the other will manage traditional television networks (Discovery Global).

Fewer Regulatory Hurdles Thanks to Spinoffs

Regulatory concerns that typically plague big media mergers may be reduced in this case.

Comcast is creating a separate, publicly traded company named Versant Media Group that will include its cable networks and news operations. This move will allow Comcast to focus on its businesses like theme parks, streaming services, and movie studios.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s planned separation of its businesses will focus the studio and streaming division, making it a more attractive and simplified asset for potential buyers, by removing its older cable networks.

What It Means for the WBD Sale Race

If Saudi Arabia and Comcast were to make a joint bid, it would add another competitor to the existing race, which already features Paramount Global/Skydance (headed by David Ellison) and streaming services such as Netflix.

Saudi Arabia’s potential investment brings significant financial strength and international reach. With Warner Bros. Discovery’s stock price already increasing and its CEO seeking further growth, a new investor could intensify competition and change the dynamics of any potential takeover battle.

Saudi Ties to Trump, WWE & Hollywood

It’s important to remember that Saudi Arabia’s main investment fund has strong connections to Donald Trump. This is due to its investments in LIV Golf and in a private equity company run by Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.

The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has a strong partnership with WWE, regularly hosting large-scale events in Saudi Arabia, including WrestleMania in Riyadh scheduled for 2027.

Saudi Arabia is partnering with TKO to create a new boxing league and is developing a large entertainment city, potentially including a Universal theme park. This has made the Warner Bros. and DC properties very appealing for a possible acquisition.

Note: Comcast teaming with the Saudis is considered only speculation at this time.

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2025-11-13 07:03