Ellison family’s grip on media set to reach TikTok

The openly pro-Trump and pro-’Israel’ Ellison family, led by tech billionaire Larry Ellison and his son David, is set to expand their media empire into TikTok’s US operations, acquiring control over its data, algorithm, and privacy management.

The move comes after the family already completed a major media consolidation with the Paramount-Skydance merger, which gave them control over CBS News, Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon.

Media watchdogs, journalists, and the public have been alarmed, as the Ellison family’s expanding control over media and social platforms raises concerns about a growing media and political monopoly.

Media Conglomerate

The most prominent development is the recent completion of the Skydance Media merger with Paramount Global, which is now known as Paramount Skydance Corporation.

This deal gives the Ellison family control of an array of major media properties, including CBS News, Comedy Central, MTV, and Nickelodeon.

In a related, and equally controversial, move, Paramount is reportedly in negotiations to acquire the conservative publication "The Free Press," and install its founder, Bari Weiss, into a senior leadership position at CBS News.

This reported move has caused significant internal unrest at CBS News, with some journalists expressing concern that Weiss, a prominent critic of "mainstream" media, will politicize the news division.

Mark Feldstein, chair of the broadcast journalism department at the University of Maryland, warns that bringing Bari Weiss into a senior role at CBS could be disastrous.

He predicts that experienced journalists might leave in large numbers, CBS could lose its core audience, and the network’s once-strong reputation for independent journalism could be severely damaged.

Beyond Paramount, the Ellison family is also reportedly heading a bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal that would add major news and entertainment powerhouses like CNN, HBO, and the Warner Bros. movie studio to their portfolio.

While this deal is not yet finalized, its potential implications have amplified concerns about media consolidation and political influence.

Tiktok as well

While the Ellisons' media acquisitions draw headlines, a parallel deal is solidifying their influence in the tech sector.

After a directive to divest TikTok’s US operations from its Chinese parent, the White House announced a deal placing the platform under American ownership.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that in the coming days, a deal will be signed making TikTok majority-owned by a consortium of American investors.

This consortium includes the Ellison-led tech giant, Oracle, which will play a critical role.

According to Leavitt, Oracle will be responsible for leading the app's "data and privacy" and will also control the app's algorithm for its US operations.

The deal will also establish a new seven-seat board, with six of the seats held by Americans, ensuring US control.

This arrangement, referred to as "Project Texas," is presented as a national security solution to concerns that the Chinese government could access the data of American users or manipulate the app's content.

Public concerns of monopoly

The consolidation of such diverse and influential media and tech assets under one politically aligned family has ignited a national debate.

Media watchdogs, such as the Open Markets Institute, have raised alarms, arguing that the Skydance-Paramount deal should have been blocked.

In a press release statement, the organization said: ““Billionaire media mogul David Ellison’s effort to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery should send chills to the whole media industry and Americans across the country.”

They contend that the merger concentrates too much power in the hands of a single entity, threatening journalistic independence and democratic discourse.