Media and entertainment deal-making has slowed, but private equity players are still betting big on the space. Middle Eastern sources are still providing funding to media, which could fuel deals in the months ahead. Media deal volume has actually increased, just not as fast; PwC recorded media deals rose 3% (to 326) in the six months through May, down from a 7% increase in the previous six months. And beyond private equity, legacy players could shed properties they consider non-core: Paramount is trying to offload BET while Warner Bros. Insider's list of top private equity players in media and entertainment highlights 17 firms, from heavy hitters to smaller upstarts, based on our reporting and conversations with investors and insiders.

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Persons: PwC, Hollywood —, Ryan, Morgan Stanley, Sherrese Clarke Soares Organizations: Media, Hollywood, RedBird Capital Partners, NFL, Company, Qatar Investment Authority, Yahoo, ESPN, Paramount, BET, Warner Bros, Discovery, Equity Partners Locations: Providence, BlackRock