Larry Ellison Media Empire Expansion: From Oracle to TikTok

The Shift from Tech to Media Power

Larry Ellison’s career was long defined by Oracle, a leader in cloud computing and databases. Its customers include DHL, Northwell Health, and Fanatics. For decades, Ellison kept a lower profile than many peers. However, in his 80s he has pivoted toward media. The move signals his transformation from Silicon Valley pioneer into a global media mogul.

Ruthless Leadership and Strategic Expansion

Ellison earned a reputation for ruthless leadership at Oracle. Biographer Karen Southwick even called him a “modern-day Genghis Khan.” He pursued hostile takeovers, removed executives who opposed him, and even bought most of a Hawaiian island. Moreover, this same aggressive style now shapes his media strategy. His first steps were modest. He funded Annapurna Pictures and Skydance Productions, founded by his children, Megan and David Ellison. Both later expanded into television and gaming.

Consolidating Power Through Major Deals

In 2018, Ellison reorganized Annapurna Pictures. He helped restructure $200 million in debt and reshaped its financing model. Instead of relying on bank loans, the studio shifted to project-based investor funding. In addition, in 2022 Ellison gave Elon Musk $1 billion to support the Twitter (now X) acquisition. His influence deepened in 2023, when Skydance Media merged with Paramount. That deal gave Ellison ownership of CBS, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, MTV, Showtime, and CBS News. Now Oracle is likely to secure a major stake in TikTok’s U.S. business.

Political Influence and Strategic Media Alignment

Ellison’s growing media empire is also tied to politics. Paramount reportedly sidelined critics of the administration, such as Stephen Colbert. David Ellison also explored acquiring Bari Weiss’ The Free Press. As a result, reports suggest she could take a leadership role at CBS News. These moves highlight a careful alignment of media assets with political interests. Furthermore, they show how Ellison uses influence to preserve favorable relationships in Washington.

Future Ambitions and Unmatched Resources

Looking ahead, Paramount is reportedly eyeing Warner Bros. Discovery. That deal would add CNN, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Studios to Ellison’s holdings. To call such a merger unprecedented would be an understatement. Unlike many peers, Ellison faces no financial constraint. Therefore, his ability to act is unmatched. His wealth can fluctuate by as much as $100 billion a day. According to the IMF, this is more than the GDP of two-thirds of all countries. With this financial power, he can continue buying, restructuring, and experimenting.

From Enterprise Data to Global Influence

Ellison’s reach extends far beyond media. Oracle controls vast amounts of American medical and financial data. It also builds some of the world’s largest AI datacenters. In addition, TikTok is likely to join his portfolio. With that, the Larry Ellison media empire expansion will span enterprise technology, film, news, streaming, television, and social media. In record time, he has shifted from flamboyant Oracle CEO to one of the most powerful figures in global media.

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