Political analyst Ihor Chalenko addressed significant changes in the American media market on the Klochok Time channel. Oracle founder Larry Ellison, via SkyDance Media (run by his son David Ellison), acquired Paramount Global for $8.4 billion. The deal includes assets such as CBS, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Plus, MTV, and Nickelodeon. The US Federal Communications Commission approved the deal in July, requiring the appointment of a news bias ombudsman.
According to reports, Ellison is also financing a bid to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery for $70 billion, gaining control over CNN, HBO, and Warner Bros. Notably, Ellison wields political influence in the US, being close to Donald Trump and a major donor to his campaigns. Simultaneously, the US is scaling back federal media: in March, by Trump’s order, Voice of America ceased broadcasting and over a thousand employees were put on leave.
Experts and media outlets note that market concentration in the hands of a few and political impact on editorial policy can threaten pluralism and press freedom. AI implementation at Paramount is planned, leading to restructuring and staff cuts. Public broadcasters are disappearing as private media are increasingly dominated by large corporations and oligarchs. Senators have raised concerns about threats to democracy and independent media.
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