A new family dynasty is rapidly consolidating power and influence in the American media landscape, positioning themselves as a formidable challenge to the long dominant Murdoch family.
Larry Ellison, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, has a well documented relationship with President Donald Trump, including hosting a fundraising event and serving as a key tech advisor.
The expansion is multifaceted. David Ellison, a film producer, is leading the acquisition of Skydance Media, a move that has given the family a controlling stake in the parent company of a major Hollywood studio. This acquisition places the Ellisons at the helm of a significant player in entertainment content creation. While this is primarily focused on film and television, the ability to shape cultural output is a powerful form of media control.
Crucially, the Ellison family's media interests extend beyond Hollywood. Larry Ellison's immense fortune provides the capital for major acquisitions, and his conservative leanings suggest the potential for a political dimension to their media strategy. This blending of technology wealth, Hollywood production, and political access creates a unique and powerful model for a new media dynasty, distinct from the traditional newspaper and television holdings that formed the basis of the Murdoch empire.
The comparison to the Murdochs is inevitable. Rupert Murdoch's children have recently reached a deal to resolve the long running succession battle for control of News Corp and Fox Corporation, cementing Lachlan Murdoch as the undisputed leader.