Media Control
One merger could give a single pro-Israel billionaire control over CNN, CBS, HBO, TikTok, and 12 more major media properties. This is how media consolidation serves as a tool of influence.
The Ellison Empire
Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder and one of the world's wealthiest individuals, is backing a proposed $111 billion merger of Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery. Ellison is a close ally of Donald Trump and a major donor to pro-Israel causes, having given $26 million or more to the Friends of Israel Defense Forces (FIDF), which directly funds IDF soldiers.
His son David Ellison's Skydance has already acquired Paramount, giving the family control of CBS. Oracle CEO Safra Catz has stated: “Our commitment to Israel is second to none.”
| Property | Type | Reach |
|---|---|---|
| CNN | News | ~80M US households |
| CBS | Broadcast Network | ~115M viewers |
| HBO / Max | Streaming / Premium | ~97M subscribers |
| TikTok US | Social Media | ~170M US users |
| MTV | Entertainment | ~60M households |
| BET | Entertainment | ~80M households |
| Nickelodeon | Children's | ~80M households |
| Comedy Central | Entertainment | ~70M households |
| Paramount+ | Streaming | ~72M subscribers |
| Discovery Channel | Documentary | ~80M households |
| Cartoon Network | Children's | ~75M households |
| TNT | Entertainment | ~75M households |
| TBS | Entertainment | ~75M households |
| DC Studios | Film | Global |
| Warner Bros. Pictures | Film | Global |
| Showtime | Premium | ~25M subscribers |
CNN Staffers “Shaken”
According to NBC News reporting, CNN journalists were “shaken” by the prospect of the Ellison-backed takeover and what it would mean for editorial independence in their newsroom. Multiple staffers expressed concern about coverage constraints on Israel-Palestine and Middle East reporting.
Source: NBC News
Sanders Warns of “Oligarchy”
Senator Bernie Sanders warned that the consolidation of this many media properties under a single billionaire ally of the president represents an “oligarchy” and a direct threat to press freedom and democratic accountability.
Source: Senate floor remarks
Bari Weiss Installed at CBS News
$150 million was spent acquiring The Free Press and installing its founder, Bari Weiss, as CBS News editor-in-chief. Weiss is known for staunchly pro-Israel editorial positions. Her appointment signals the editorial direction of the network under new ownership.
Sources: NPR, Columbia Journalism Review
The Saban Model
“I'm a one-issue guy, and my issue is Israel.”
— Haim Saban, The New Yorker, 2010
Haim Saban, the Israeli-American entertainment mogul behind the Power Rangers franchise, explicitly described his three-pronged strategy for shaping American politics on behalf of Israel:
Political Donations
Major donor to the Democratic Party and pro-Israel candidates. Estimated $13M+ in political contributions between 2000-2020.
Think Tanks
Founded the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, one of Washington's most influential think tanks, ensuring a steady supply of pro-Israel policy papers and experts.
Media Ownership
Acquired Univision, the largest Spanish-language broadcaster in the US, reaching tens of millions of Latino households. Used ownership to shape editorial direction on Israel-Palestine coverage.
The Pattern
The Saban model was the proof of concept. The Ellison merger is the scale-up. The pattern is consistent:
- Acquire media properties — preferably ones reaching broad, diverse audiences
- Install sympathetic editors — Bari Weiss at CBS is the latest example
- Shape editorial direction — not through explicit censorship, but through hiring, promotion, and institutional culture
- Maintain deniability — ownership is public record, but the editorial influence is indirect enough to claim independence
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ellison-Paramount-WBD merger?
Larry Ellison, Oracle co-founder and one of the world's wealthiest people, is backing a proposed $111 billion merger of Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery. If the deal closes, the Ellison family would gain control of CNN, CBS, HBO, TikTok US operations, MTV, BET, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Paramount+, Discovery Channel, Cartoon Network, TNT, TBS, DC Studios, and Warner Bros. Pictures. Ellison is a major donor to pro-Israel causes, having given $26M+ to Friends of Israel Defense Forces (FIDF). Sources: NBC News, IBTimes.
Who is Bari Weiss and why does her CBS role matter?
Bari Weiss is a journalist and founder of The Free Press who was installed as CBS News editor-in-chief following a $150 million acquisition deal connected to the Paramount ownership changes. Weiss is known for staunchly pro-Israel editorial positions and previously resigned from The New York Times claiming the paper was hostile to her views. Her installation at CBS has raised concerns about editorial independence on Israel-Palestine coverage at the network. Sources: NPR, Columbia Journalism Review.
What is the Saban model of media influence?
Haim Saban, the Israeli-American media mogul, explicitly described his three-pronged strategy for influencing American politics in support of Israel: (1) political donations, (2) establishing think tanks and policy organizations, and (3) media ownership. He told The New Yorker in 2010: 'I'm a one-issue guy, and my issue is Israel.' His ownership of Univision gave him influence over Spanish-language media reaching tens of millions of Americans. Sources: The New Yorker, NPR.
How have CNN staffers reacted to the potential Ellison takeover?
According to NBC News, CNN staffers were 'shaken' by the prospect of the Ellison-backed merger and what it could mean for the newsroom's editorial independence. Journalists expressed concern that a new ownership structure tied to a major pro-Israel donor could constrain reporting on Israel-Palestine, similar to how other media consolidations have affected editorial direction at acquired properties. Sources: NBC News.
Sources
NBC News: Reporting on CNN staffers' reaction to Ellison-backed merger — nbcnews.com
IBTimes: Ellison-Paramount-WBD merger details — ibtimes.com
Columbia Journalism Review: Analysis of media consolidation and editorial independence — cjr.org
NPR: Bari Weiss and CBS News editorial changes — npr.org
The New Yorker: Haim Saban profile (2010) — newyorker.com
FIDF: Friends of Israel Defense Forces donor records — fidf.org