It’s now official – Walt Disney Company has purchased key parts of 21st Century Fox including the 20th Century Fox movie studio and the 20th Century Fox Television production company, along with media assets like Fox Searchlight, Fox 2000, FX Networks, FX Productions, National Geographic Partners, Fox21, Fox Regional Sports Networks, and Fox’s stake in Hulu, Star India, Endemol Shine Group and Sky.
Not included in the deal due to anti-trust restrictions are Fox News, the FOX broadcast network, or Fox Sports, which all remain a part of the Fox empire – as will the Fox studio lot in Century City. Those will be separated and maintained either under a newly listed company that will be spun off to its shareholders, or merge with News Corp. itself.
Disney now has its hands on Fox’s key franchises including “X-Men,” “Alien,” “Predator,” “Avatar,” “Die Hard,” “Planet of the Apes,” “Kingsman” and “Fantastic Four” (which is listed in the press release). Disney now also controls the full rights to all “Star Wars” films with the previously Fox-owned 1977 original likely to go back to Disney’s Lucasfilm – meaning theatrical re-releases and a potential home video version of the original theatrical cut.
Disney’s upcoming streaming service will also benefit with the addition of a ton of Fox content. The entire deal was done for approximately $52.4 billion in stock along with Disney also assuming approximately $13.7 billion of net debt for a total transaction value of approximately $66.1 billion.
At the request of both 21st Century Fox and the Disney Board of Directors, Mr. Iger has agreed to continue as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company through the end of calendar year 2021.
The Boards of Directors of Disney and 21st Century Fox have approved the transaction, which is subject to shareholder approval by 21st Century Fox and Disney shareholders, clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, a number of other non-United States merger and other regulatory reviews, and other customary closing conditions. It’s expected it will take 12-18 months to gain the necessary approvals to fuse the companies. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
Further to that, Original Airings of The Simpsons on Fox are a drop in the bucket compared to the 20+ years of syndication rights.
What does this do for various Fox or Disney films that are either out of print or have never made it to physical media above VHS or DVD? [Reply]
Originally Posted by Al Bundy:
What does this do for various Fox or Disney films that are either out of print or have never made it to physical media above VHS or DVD?
Disney is launching its own service at some point in 2019, which prior to this purchase, would allow subscribers access to every Disney production ever created, from early Mickey Mouse to the Mickey Mouse Club, feature films and everything in between. Bog Iger stated that it would be significantly less than Netflix, so I expect it to come in around the $5.99 mark.
They're also planning a Stand Alone ESPN App, which will allow access to all ESPN content, as well as their new acquired 18 Fox Sports regional channels which will be rebranded with ESPN names (ESPN Kansas City, for example).
To date, I haven't heard anything about Fox produced TV shows and film. My gut tells me that they'll likely create a Stand Alone App for Fox produced content for $3.99-4.99 per month and maybe a bundled deal for both Fox and Disney at $8.99-$9.99 a month.
I'm not well versed on Fox's licensing deals with Netflix, Hulu or Amazon so it might be some time before Disney is able to offer a Stand Alone App for that content.
I would expect new 21st Century Fox content to be available on the Disney App (the new Avatar sequels, for instance, especially since there's a new tie-in at the Disney parks) but back catalog may have long term deals in place. [Reply]
Originally Posted by patteeu:
When Disney executives no longer have to pay taxes, can violate net neutrality by throttling the Simpsons, and can force The Orville to include minor Star Wars characters into their storyline, you know the world has gone to hell.
Disney isn't an ISP and therefore, has no ability to throttle any programming or streams. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Fire Me Boy!:
Dane, any insight into what this could mean for an Original Trilogy release?
Originally Posted by Kiimosabi:
I think having all Star Wars films under one umbrella would suggest that a bundled Star Wars release is not only possible but likely.
I'd bet a lot that the OT is remastered but unchanged, so the Han Shoots First Collection will probably be coming to you.
I'm not sure if the cost of remastering the original versions vs. sales would warrant such a decision.
You're talking at least $50 million as well as a bunch of cross-editing (no one wants to see the outlines around Tie Fighters, X Wings, etc.) into a seamless transition.
Also, you have to keep in mind that 20 years has passed since the release of the Anniversary Editions, so there's a whole generation of people that have only seen those versions.
UnderEJ could certainly shed some insight into the Post Production process but I just don't think it's a financially viable move at this point in time. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
Good ****ing God.
What is your deal? You run around in every forum, posting like a moron that just shart himself, screaming and waving your hands around asking for attention while having zero information about the topic at hand.
There's a difference between a Broadcasting Network and a Production Company. The Fox Broadcasting Company BROADCASTS programming. The programming does NOT need to be owned by the broadcaster.
For example, Modern Family is produced by 21 Century Fox but the program airs on ABC. ER and Friends were produced by Warner Brothers but aired on NBC.
Producing and owning a program has no bearing on where it's actually broadcast.
Now, in the case of The Simpsons, 21st Century Fox owns the program. Whether or not Disney keeps the deal in place for it to air on Fox has probably not been decided but seeing as this deal isn't going to fully close until 12-18 months, the program will continue to air on Fox for the foreseeable future.
Further to that, Original Airings of The Simpsons on Fox are a drop in the bucket compared to the 20+ years of syndication rights.
You didn't have to be a dick about it.
I know stations run shows they don't produce.
But I was just pointing out the Cost to run those shows from Disney will most likely go up considering outside sourced shows usually have to have good ratings or get shit canned since it's more expensive. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud:
I'm not sure if the cost of remastering the original versions vs. sales would warrant such a decision.
You're talking at least $50 million as well as a bunch of cross-editing (no one wants to see the outlines around Tie Fighters, X Wings, etc.) into a seamless transition.
Also, you have to keep in mind that 20 years has passed since the release of the Anniversary Editions, so there's a whole generation of people that have only seen those versions.
UnderEJ could certainly shed some insight into the Post Production process but I just don't think it's a financially viable move at this point in time.
If they drop a 4K set with the OT, I'm buying it, and so will a hell of a lot of other people who want the OT sans the butchering Lucas did to it. [Reply]
Originally Posted by lawrenceRaider:
If they drop a 4K set with the OT, I'm buying it, and so will a hell of a lot of other people who want the OT sans the butchering Lucas did to it.
Originally Posted by oaklandhater:
You didn't have to be a dick about it.
I know stations run shows they don't produce.
But I was just pointing out the Cost to run those shows from Disney will most likely go up considering outside sourced shows usually have to have good ratings or get shit canned since it's more expensive.
