"Two years ago, Larry and David Ellison's biggest collective media holding was the production company that made Top Gun. Now, they own all of Paramount, they're attempting to buy all of Warner Bros. Discovery, and Larry Ellison is separately involved in a deal to buy TikTok. All along, the family has shown an unerring willingness to bow to the Trump administration, at least so long as it's good for business."
"As Big Tech swallows the world, the long-standing narrative about the future of streaming goes something like this: Netflix is an 800-pound gorilla that's way bigger than any one studio. Consumers don't want to pay for myriad different streaming services from each studio (outside of maybe Disney). Eventually, some of the other studios are going to have to consolidate to offer an actually attractive alternative to Netflix."
Netflix emerged as the winning bidder for Warner Bros., provoking relief and unease about concentrated media ownership. The Ellison family expanded rapidly, acquiring Paramount while pursuing Warner Bros. Discovery and separately exploring a TikTok purchase. The family has shifted leadership at acquired outlets and reportedly consulted political allies about personnel decisions, revealing close ties to the Trump administration. The Netflix deal intensifies questions about media consolidation but does not eliminate fears about concentrated influence. Streaming dynamics favor a dominant Netflix as consumers resist subscribing to many services, pushing other studios toward consolidation to form viable competitors comprised of major franchises and platforms.
Read at Slate Magazine
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