Larry & David Ellison’s Bold Play: What It Means for Entertainment and Social Media

An Interview with Sir Michael Fomkin, Executive Producer with Abundance Studios® and CEO of VIP Ignite

Interviewer: Sir Michael, news broke that Larry Ellison and his son David Ellison could potentially wind up owning Paramount, Warner Bros Discovery, and even TikTok’s U.S. operations. That’s a historic level of consolidation. What was your first reaction?

Sir Michael Fomkin: My first thought was — this is the kind of move that reshapes culture for decades. You’re talking about one family potentially controlling film, television, cable, streaming, gaming, and one of the most influential social media platforms on earth. Imagine having Paramount’s legacy, Warner Bros’ storytelling machine, and TikTok’s algorithmic reach under one umbrella. That’s not just a business empire — that’s cultural gravity.

The Future of Media Empires

Interviewer: Some people might say this creates a monopoly-like dynamic. What’s your perspective?

Sir Michael Fomkin: Media empires are nothing new. Think about the golden era of Hollywood — a few studios controlled the stories, the stars, and the screens. The difference today is distribution and influence. TikTok isn’t just entertainment; it’s shaping elections, consumer behavior, and even how people see themselves. So yes, it centralizes power, but it also creates unprecedented opportunity for new talent. Because when you consolidate platforms, you consolidate visibility. 

What This Means for Talent

Interviewer: You lead VIP Ignite, which helps new actors and models break into the industry. What does a deal like this mean for them?

Sir Michael Fomkin: For our talent, this could actually be revolutionary. Imagine being part of a system where the same family controls CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime, Warner Bros, HBO, Discovery, and TikTok. That means the pathway from an audition to a global spotlight could collapse from years into months. You could book a role on a Paramount+ show, have it amplified across Warner Bros Discovery’s platforms, and then have your clips go viral on TikTok — all under one ownership structure.

That’s not consolidation — that’s acceleration.

The Entertainment Battlefield

Interviewer: Some might say this creates one of the most powerful families in media history.

Sir Michael Fomkin: Let’s be clear: Larry Ellison didn’t build Oracle by playing small. David Ellison didn’t grow Skydance into a Hollywood powerhouse by thinking inside the box. Together, they’re not just buying companies; they’re buying leverage over the cultural conversation.

What excites me — and what should excite every aspiring actor, model, and creative — is that with this much consolidation, they’ll need fresh faces, bold voices, and untapped talent to keep audiences engaged. The empire is only as strong as the new stars it creates. 

Opportunity for the Next Generation

Interviewer: So you’re saying this is good news for emerging talent?

Sir Michael Fomkin: Absolutely. At VIP Ignite, we’ve always preached that opportunity doesn’t vanish — it migrates. If the Ellisons complete this acquisition, they’ll need to fill an endless stream of content pipelines across film, TV, streaming, and social. That’s not a challenge; that’s an audition waiting to happen.

For our community, the message is simple: be ready. Because if you’re prepared when the doors open, you can ride this wave straight into the future of entertainment.