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Netflix will acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s studios and streaming division for $72 billion, taking control of major franchises including Game of Thrones, DC Comics and Harry Potter. The move follows a regional push that includes a new partnership with MBC Group, bundling Netflix and Shahid under the MBCNOW subscription across Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region. Google Cloud has signed a multi-year deal with AI-coding startup Replit, founded by Jordanian entrepreneur Amjad Masad, to integrate Google’s models and expand enterprise-grade AI development tools. Cristiano Ronaldo has also taken a stake in Perplexity AI, valued at $20 billion, alongside launching “Perplexity x CR7,” an AI-powered hub that compiles more than two decades of his career into a searchable archive.

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Markets

Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. Studio and Streaming Business for $72 Billion

What’s it About?

Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s studios and streaming division for $72 billion, securing control of major franchises including Game of Thrones, DC Comics and Harry Potter. The streamer outbid Paramount Skydance’s $24-per-share offer after a competitive auction. The move follows Netflix’s deepening regional presence, including a new partnership with MBC Group that bundles Netflix and Shahid under the MBCNOW subscription across Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region.

Why it Matters?

The deal caps weeks of speculation around rival bidders. Paramount Skydance denied reports of teaming with Gulf sovereign funds, while the New York Post said Comcast’s CEO held talks with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund on a potential $70 billion offer. The acquisition bolsters Netflix as Disney and Paramount face mounting pressure.

What’s Next?

Regulators will scrutinize the combination given its scale and concentration of intellectual property. Analysts expect Netflix to leverage its expanded library for pricing power, regional bundling deals and subscriber growth. Further dealmaking across the entertainment sector remains likely as weaker studios face consolidation pressure.

Jordanian Entrepreneur Amjad Masad’s Replit Lands Multi-Year Google Cloud Deal

What’s it About?

Google Cloud has signed a multi-year partnership with AI coding startup Replit, strengthening its position against rivals such as Anthropic and Cursor. Under the deal, Replit will deepen its use of Google Cloud, integrate more Google AI models, and expand support for enterprise coding workflows. Replit was founded in 2016 by Amjad Masad, a Jordanian entrepreneur who built the platform on the idea that anyone should be able to code instantly.

Why it Matters?

The collaboration gives Google fresh leverage in the fast-growing “vibe-coding” movement, where AI tools enable non-engineers to build software. Replit’s growth has been explosive, with annualised revenue jumping from $2.8 million to $150 million in under a year and its valuation hitting $3 billion following a major funding round. Enterprise-spending data also shows both firms accelerating faster than competitors, signalling a major shift toward AI-driven development across large organisations.

What’s Next?

Analysts expect the partnership to push AI coding deeper into the enterprise stack and intensify competition among major AI model providers. Replit plans to broaden its platform for collaborative software creation, while Google aims to convert the partnership into wider cloud adoption. Both companies are betting that AI-assisted coding becomes a mainstream productivity layer worldwide.

Cristiano Ronaldo Takes Stake in Perplexity as AI Firm Launches ‘CR7’ Experience

What’s it About?

Cristiano Ronaldo has become a shareholder in Perplexity AI, one of the fastest-growing challengers to Google. The partnership includes a global sponsorship deal and the launch of “Perplexity x CR7,” an interactive AI-powered hub compiling more than two decades of Ronaldo’s career. Perplexity, valued at $20 billion, says the tool allows fans to search goals, statistics and key career moments using its answer-engine technology. The size of Ronaldo’s investment was not disclosed.

Why it Matters?

This is Ronaldo’s largest and most global investment move to date, marking a shift from Portugal-focused ventures to high-growth US tech. It comes as he enters the Bloomberg Billionaires Index with an estimated $1.4 billion net worth. For Perplexity, leveraging one of the world’s most recognizable athletes accelerates brand reach as it battles Google and OpenAI for AI-search dominance.

What’s Next?

Analysts expect Perplexity to deepen consumer-facing features and expand internationally, using high-profile partnerships to scale adoption. Ronaldo’s involvement may bring new commercial opportunities, especially in the Middle East where he plays for Al-Nassr.

🦄 World of Startups

• Zelo secures $715m from IHC to expand SME financing platform

• COGNNA Secures $9.2M Series A to Scale AI-Powered Cybersecurity Globally

• Secure.com (UAE) – Raised $4.5M from Disrupt.com and launched Digital Security Teammate, an AI-native cybersecurity agent platform.

• Saudi Startup CQR Launches AI-Powered FENNEC Platform for Critical Infrastructure Security

• Savvy Games and King Saud University Partner to Boost Saudi Gaming Talent

• FuturePlay Partners with Saudi Ministry to Boost Korean Startups in MENA

• Fawry Launches Holding Company to Power Expansion in Egypt’s Fintech Sector

• bluworks lands $1 million seed investment to accelerate MENA expansion

👨‍💻From Smashi Business’ Desk

• Gameball just dropped a massive Black Friday milestone — over $613M in order revenue processed, marking an extraordinary 1100% YoY surge.

• Mazen Kanaan’s National Day message hits at the heart of the UAE’s entrepreneurial story: “There’s no ceiling to what you can achieve.”

🔍In other news…

• Ireland Urged to Probe Microsoft Over Claims of Unlawful IDF Data Processing

• Israel Signs Off on 2026 Budget With $35 Billion Defence Spend as Gaza Genocide Rolls On

• Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Pushes Ahead With $1 Billion MBS Stadium Despite Wider Project Cuts

• CNBC Partners With Lebanese Entrepreneur Tarek Mansour’s Kalshi for 2026 Prediction Insights

• Türkiye’s Paribu Acquires Bahrain-Based Crypto Exchange in Regional Expansion Push

• Abu Dhabi Sovereign Fund Sues U.S. Private Equity Firm, Accusing It of Self-Dealing

• Dubai Chocolate Craze Continues as Hershey’s Unveils Limited-Edition Dubai Bar

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