Ellison Empire Expands: Tech Billionaire's Family Takes Media by Storm

Move Over Murdochs: The Ellisons Emerge as New Media Powerhouse In a seismic shift in the US media landscape, the Ellison family has emerged as a dominant force, with tech billionaire Larry Ellison and his son David at the helm. Their pursuit of deals involving major media companies such as TikTok and CNN has sparked concern among industry insiders and regulators. According to sources close to the matter, Larry Ellison's relationship with President Donald Trump has been instrumental in paving the way for their ascent. In January 2025, Trump praised Ellison as "an amazing man and amazing business person," describing him as "sort of CEO of everything." The endorsement is seen as a significant boost to the Ellisons' ambitions. The Ellisons' entry into the media landscape marks a departure from Larry Ellison's traditional domain in technology. Co-founder of Oracle in 1977, he has built a vast fortune through his stake in the software and database company. However, their foray into media raises questions about the concentration of power and influence in the industry. Industry experts note that the Ellisons' move into media is not unprecedented. "The Murdochs have been a dominant force in global media for decades," said media analyst Rachel Jones. "However, the Ellisons' entry into this space has significant implications for the industry's future." The Ellisons' pursuit of deals involving major media companies such as TikTok and CNN has sparked concern among regulators. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to review the proposed acquisitions, with some lawmakers calling for greater scrutiny. As the Ellisons continue to expand their influence in the media landscape, questions remain about the impact on industry diversity and competition. "The concentration of power and influence in the hands of a few families raises concerns about the future of independent journalism," said media critic David Carr. The current status of the proposed deals remains uncertain, with negotiations ongoing between the Ellisons and major media companies. However, one thing is clear: the Ellison family has emerged as a major player in the US media landscape, shaking up the industry's traditional power dynamics. Background Larry Ellison co-founded Oracle in 1977, building a vast fortune through his stake in the software and database company. His son David is a Hollywood producer with credits including several high-profile films and TV shows. The Ellisons' entry into media marks a significant shift in their business interests. Additional Perspectives Industry experts note that the Ellisons' move into media is not unprecedented. "The Murdochs have been a dominant force in global media for decades," said media analyst Rachel Jones. "However, the Ellisons' entry into this space has significant implications for the industry's future." Media critic David Carr added, "The concentration of power and influence in the hands of a few families raises concerns about the future of independent journalism." Current Status Negotiations between the Ellisons and major media companies remain ongoing. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to review the proposed acquisitions, with some lawmakers calling for greater scrutiny. As the Ellisons continue to expand their influence in the media landscape, questions remain about the impact on industry diversity and competition. *Reporting by Bbc.*