TikTok's new owners and what is at stake

TikTok's new owners and what is at stake

Author: The National News October 1, 2025 Duration: 22:59
As TikTok faces a high-stakes restructuring to divest from its Chinese ownership, a new deal is emerging. Major US players including Oracle and Silver Lake are in the mix, along with MGX, a UAE-based company that could become one of the few overseas owners of the platform’s American operations. This is more than a business deal. It determines who will shape the minds of users on one of the most viewed social media platforms in the world. In this episode of Business Extra, host Salim Essaid looks at the size of the deal, the level of control shareholders have over content and what TikTok might look like if influenced by a Gulf-based owner. The episode also examines how algorithm access, content moderation and ownership dynamics tie into global soft power, and how much that influence really matters.

Tune into Business Extra for a clear-eyed look at the forces shaping commerce in the Middle East and beyond. Produced by The National News, this podcast moves past the headlines to deliver substantive conversations with the analysts, executives, and innovators driving change. Each episode leans on the deep regional expertise of our editors and reporters, who translate complex developments in markets, energy, and technology into accessible insights. You’ll hear grounded discussions that connect local trends to global patterns, offering a necessary perspective on one of the planet's most dynamic economic landscapes. Whether it's a shift in oil policy, a tech startup's rise, or a new trade agreement, this series provides the context often missing from daily news cycles. For anyone with a stake in understanding how business really works in this pivotal region, Business Extra is an essential listen, blending authoritative journalism with genuine curiosity. The result is a consistently informative podcast that feels less like a briefing and more like a series of insightful conversations with people who have their finger on the pulse.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Business Extra
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