Larry Ellison: Trump Friend & TikTok Takeover Investor
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Larry Ellison’s Quiet Ascent: How the Oracle Founder Could Control a Media Empire
Table of Contents
published: October 26, 2023
The Expanding Ellison Media Footprint
While figures like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos often dominate headlines, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, has been steadily building a media empire that could soon rival, or even surpass, their influence.His approach has been less bombastic, more strategic, and the potential consequences for the future of news and entertainment are significant.
The core of this expansion lies with his son, David Ellison, and his Skydance Media company.skydance is currently in advanced talks to acquire a majority stake in Paramount Global, the parent company of CBS, Paramount Pictures, and the Paramount+ streaming service. This deal, if finalized, would give the Ellison family ample control over a vast portfolio of content and distribution channels.
What’s at Stake: A Deep Dive into the Potential Holdings
The potential scope of the ellison family’s media holdings is staggering. here’s a breakdown of the key assets:
- CBS: One of the oldest and moast recognizable broadcast networks in the United States.
- Paramount Pictures: A major Hollywood film studio with a rich history and a vast library of intellectual property.
- Paramount+: Paramount’s streaming service, competing with Netflix, Disney+, and others.
- CNN: Warner Bros. discovery is reportedly open to selling CNN,and Skydance,backed by Ellison,is a potential bidder. Acquiring CNN would give the Ellisons a dominant position in cable news. The Information first reported this possibility.
- TikTok: While not a direct acquisition target, the Ellison family’s influence over Paramount could indirectly impact the future of TikTok in the United States, given ongoing national security concerns and potential forced sales.
The combined reach of these entities would create a media conglomerate with unparalleled power to shape public opinion and control the flow of information.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| september 2023 | Initial reports surface of Skydance Media’s interest in acquiring a majority stake in Paramount Global. |
| October 2023 | Negotiations intensify, with discussions including a potential bid for CNN. |
| November 2023 (Projected) | Expected timeline for a potential agreement between Skydance and Paramount Global. |
Why This Matters: Implications for the Media Landscape
Ellison’s quiet accumulation of media assets raises several critical questions:
- Concentration of Power: A single family controlling such a diverse range of media outlets could lead to a perilous concentration of power and a narrowing of perspectives.
- Editorial independence: Will the Ellison family interfere with the editorial decisions of the news organizations they control? Maintaining journalistic integrity will be paramount.
- Impact on Competition: The creation of a media behemoth could stifle competition and innovation in the industry.
- National Security Concerns: The potential involvement with TikTok, even indirectly, raises ongoing national security concerns regarding data privacy and potential Chinese influence.
The acquisition of Paramount and potentially CNN would considerably alter the media landscape, potentially shifting the balance of power and influencing the narratives that reach millions of viewers and readers.