Warner Bros. Discovery is preparing to share sensitive financial information with potential bidders, including major companies like Paramount, Netflix, Comcast, Amazon, and Apple, as it explores strategic options for its film, TV, and streaming assets amid ongoing acquisition interest and a planned company split.
Larry Ellison, the tech billionaire and Oracle co-founder, along with his son David, is rapidly expanding his influence in the US media landscape through deals involving TikTok, CNN, and Paramount, raising concerns about media concentration and political influence due to their close ties with President Trump and the Republican Party.
Larry Ellison, co-founder of Oracle, is emerging as a new media mogul with investments in the American version of TikTok and plans to control a vast media empire including CBS, Paramount, Warner, CNN, and TikTok, leveraging his wealth and influence in a changing regulatory landscape.
The world's richest men, Elon Musk and Larry Ellison, are making significant media acquisitions, with Musk buying Twitter and Ellison backing a bid to acquire Warner Bros Discovery and Paramount, highlighting how wealth enables control over major media assets without traditional financial constraints.
David Ellison, son of Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, is aggressively pursuing major media acquisitions, including a potential cash bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming to create a media giant that could reshape the entertainment industry, despite the significant financial and regulatory challenges involved.
Larry Ellison's son, David Ellison, through Skydance Media, is reportedly preparing a bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which would significantly expand the family's influence in the entertainment industry. The Ellison family has notable political connections and interests in conservative media and politics, including potential involvement with CBS and other media ventures.
Venture capitalist Josh Kushner and supermodel wife Karlie Kloss have purchased the publication rights to Life magazine from IAC, with plans to revive the iconic photography-focused publication in both print and online formats. The couple's media startup, Bedford Media, will oversee the magazine's publication, while Dotdash Meredith will retain the rights to the photo and content archive. This marks their latest venture into media acquisitions, following previous purchases of i-D and W magazines. The move comes amid a challenging time for the news industry, with several publications facing layoffs and closures.
Warner Bros. Discovery, led by CEO David Zaslav and board member John Malone, is looking to acquire distressed media assets suffering from diminished valuations. With media company valuations plummeting due to streaming video losses and declining TV subscriptions, Warner Bros. Discovery aims to position itself as an acquirer by paying down debt and increasing cash flow. Malone suggests that companies flirting with bankruptcy could be potential targets, as regulators may be more forgiving of mergers involving struggling businesses. While specific targets were not named, Paramount Global is mentioned as a company with shaky prospects. Warner Bros. Discovery's focus on acquisitions comes as it pays down debt and generates free cash flow, while also acknowledging challenges in the TV ad market and linear TV subscription revenue.