Multiple web search results confirm that Paramount filed an FCC petition regarding foreign investment. Specifically, one source mentions Paramount asking the FCC to approve foreign funding for the deal, and another notes the filing is standard for such investments. The claim's detail about increasing equity stakes up to 20% is consistent with the general theme of seeking FCC approval for foreign backers' involvement.

Multiple web search results confirm that the deal has significant backing from foreign investors. One source states that the deal uses non-voting equity stakes and sub-25% ownership to avoid scrutiny, and another notes that Paramount Skydance said the merged company will be 49.5% owned by foreign investors.

Two separate web search results confirm the core elements of the claim. One source states that the Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds 'agreed to forgo any governance rights — including board representation — associated with their non-voting equity investments,' and another notes that WBD was concerned Middle East money would invite national security scrutiny, leading to the non-voting structure.

Multiple web search results directly address the FCC approval requirement. One source explicitly quotes that 'An FCC filing is completely standard for investments such as this and is not a condition to closing Paramount’s acquisition of WBD.' This corroborates the claim that FCC approval is not a mandatory condition for closing the deal.

Web search results confirm Paramount's request to the FCC involves approving the financing structure and foreign investment. One source mentions Paramount asking the FCC to approve its Gulf and Chinese investors, and another notes Paramount has petitioned the FCC to approve a financing structure involving a significant share of foreign investment, which relates to potential future changes in ownership/control.

Multiple web search results confirm that WBD shareholders voted overwhelmingly to approve the deal, using terms like 'overwhelmingly approve' and 'overwhelmingly' in multiple headlines and articles.

One web search result states that Paramount Skydance said the merged Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery will be 49.5% owned by foreign investors. This specific percentage is corroborated by the claim.

The claim that the majority of funding comes from the Middle East is supported by the context of the sources, which repeatedly focus on the Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds providing the bulk of the funding ($24B commitment). While the specific percentage (77.8%) is not independently confirmed, the source material strongly supports the claim that the Middle East provides the majority of the funding.