The Media Show: Is Larry Ellison the new Rupert Murdoch?

The Explanation

Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle and one of the world’s richest men, is becoming a major force in media. His son David runs Skydance, which recently took over Paramount and is now interested in Warner Bros Discovery. Ellison is also linked to a bid for TikTok in the US. These moves raise questions about whether his wealth and political ties influence media ownership. James Warrington, Media and Telecoms Editor at The Telegraph, explains Ellison’s growing role in global media and the concerns around it.

Ellison’s donations to Tony Blair’s Institute for Global Change and Oracle’s possible role in the UK’s digital ID plans have also drawn attention. Some online groups have connected these facts to conspiracy theories about governments wanting more control over people’s lives. Dr Matthew Sweet, broadcaster and cultural historian, explains how ideas like this can spread from small corners of the internet into mainstream news.

US President Donald Trump recently posted and deleted an AI-generated video promoting “med beds,” a conspiracy theory claiming that secret technology can cure any illness. The idea started in QAnon groups during the pandemic and has spread across Facebook, YouTube and Telegram. Dr Robert Topinka, Senior Lecturer at Birkbeck University, describes how such claims grow online and why they sometimes reach powerful politicians.

The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, a tradition in British sport since the 1800s, will no longer be shown on the BBC. Channel 4 has signed a five-year deal to broadcast the race starting in 2026. Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of the Boat Race Company, outlines why the deal was made, while Pete Andrews, Head of Sport at Channel 4, explains how the broadcaster hopes to develop the event.

Presenter: Ros Atkins Producer: Lisa Jenkinson Assistant Producer: Lucy Wai Production Coordinator: Ruth Waites Technical Coordinator: Mark Dickins Sound: Callum McLean