Report: 21st Century Fox in talks to sell most assets to Disney

[brooklynite]

Source: Axios

21st Century Fox has reportedly been in talks to sell most of the company to Walt Disney, per CNBC. The two companies, which reportedly aren't talking at the moment, have been discussing a potential deal on and off again for the last few weeks, signaling that although a sale isn't imminent, the talks could be revisited.

Why it matters: According to CNBC, Fox has been reevaluating its size and scale in the current media landscape, which has changed dramatically in the last few years with tech giants like Facebook, Google, and Netflix dominating a massive portion of digital video content and its distribution. Fox reportedly recognizes that competing in that space requires a scale that that Disney has, but Fox doesn't.

More details:
* CNBC reported that there is "a growing belief" among Fox's senior management that there is no path forward to grow its entertainment business through acquisition. Instead, Fox feels that a "more tightly group of properties around news and sports" would be most effective in the current media environment.
* Meanwhile for Disney, acquiring another major movie studio, with exposure to international markets, and its TV production assets could be advantageous as Disney gears up to launch its own streaming services.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/report-21st-century-fox-in-talks-to-sell-most-of-its-assets-to-disney-2507175533.html

[Turbineguy]

1. It's the smart play.

Get the money for the stockholders and management, then Murdock can focus on finishing off the U.S.

[Stuart G]

2. In the long run, what difference would this make?

Would there be more or less viewers of Fox News?

[onenote]

16. Sounds like it wouldn't impact Fox News or the Fox sports channels

or the Fox broadcast network or the broadcast stations.

The movie studio and networks such as FX, FX movies, maybe the Nat Geo networks?

Not sure about MyNetwork -- a broadcast network that probably could be sold to Disney, although I wonder if they would want it.

[Bleacher Creature]

3. Hmmm, I wonder if that could include the X-Men rights?

Fantastic Four as well. That would open up so many new storylines for Marvel.

[Blue_Adept]

7. It would - plus the home video distribution rights for the original Star Wars films they still have

It's huge in this particular part of the landscape for the Marvel/Lucasfilm side in that it finally returns almost everything back home. Universal still has Hulk I believe.

For Marvel Studios, it'd be ideal. As they "retire" some characters they can launch with a cosmic Fantastic Four and relaunch the x-men proper for material.

[exboyfil]

9. Hulk can be used as a supporting character by Marvel/Disney

I doubt we will ever see a solo Hulk movie. Universal has the distribution rights.

The Fantastic Four is huge though. I would keep the X-Men franchise separate though - it is large enough to stand on its own and even in the comics there was always a tension in integrating the story lines.

The Sub-Mariner is a big one though. I would like to see an Iliad story line with the Fantastic Four. Apparently the agreement is also complex with some ambiguity.

[maxsolomon]

11. there was 1 already, no?

with Eric Bana(na)?

[exboyfil]

12. Two actually

The Eric Bana was the first all Universal produced and distributed. The second was a joint Marvel Studios/Universal produced and I think Universal distributed with Edward Norton.

I should have been clearer. I don't think there will be another Hulk solo movie anytime soon.

[maxsolomon]

13. i was remembering 2, but i couldn't place the ed norton one

I don't think we need another Hulk movie, either. we didn't even need the 2 we got. or the 3rd spider man reboot, or daredevil, or ghost rider, or...

well, I could go on.

[johnnylol]

15. disney

it would be a no brainer for disney to acquire 21st century fox entertainment division..

[Bleacher Creature]

22. Fantastic Four would fit so well into the MCU.

A proper take on Doctor Doom would be a game changer all on its own, especially given the criticism Marvel has taken with respect to its villains.

[Initech]

21. Supposedly Marvel Studios would get full control if that happens!

Think of the possibilities!

[Clarity2]

4. Does that

mean that Fox News falls into the format of abc news (which I thought is owned by Disney)?
If so, that would be a good thing.

[Clarity2]

5. Nevermind

Read the whole article.... oh well.

[ToxMarz]

6. Hoping Fox will just fade away with it's geriatric userbase

It's their only constituency if they can't compete in the digital millennium.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

8. Article goes on to say....

(snip)
What Disney won't buy:

The Fox broadcast network, as it's not allowed to own two separate broadcast networks.
Fox's sports programming assets. This would be to avoid concerns that, in combination with ESPN, the assets would be anti-competitive from an antitrust point of view.
Fox's local broadcast affiliates, reports CNBC, citing people familiar with the negotiations.

----------------------

Therefore, Murdoch the Australian won't let go of Faux News, his personal TV media arm of the U.S. Republican Party.

[DoctorJoJo]

10. Perfect Alliance of .....

.... goose stepping Nazis. Grandpa Walt (Disney) was a German sympathizer in WWII, and both orgs are ripe with right-wingers. They are both dead to me!

[maxsolomon]

14. the bigger question:

when will Jesus call Rupert Murdoch home?

can't be soon enough.

[BumRushDaShow]

17. Probably using all that $$$ from the Star Wars franchise

which was produced by "20th Century Fox" 40 years ago. And over the past 20+ years, you had Viacom/CBS buy Paramount Studios, Disney (and Studios) bought ABC, Comcast bought NBC/Universal Studios, and Time-Warner/Warner Brothers Studios undulates as it waits for an ATT buyout that has been interestingly delayed (which is odd given the crew in the current administration). Obviously 21st Century Fox Studios was hanging out there with Fox, run by someone who gave his all, got what he wanted in terms of destroying the minds of millions, so his work is done.

But the FCC might end up intervening unless there is an argument that the cable and streaming services ARE the "remaining competition".

[Dave Starsky]

18. One day, Vladimir Putin will be a Disney Prince.

As we march ever forward to complete consolidation of information and entertainment in this great country of ours.

[Egnever]

19. Who knew Mickey would one day dominate the world

From a goofy black and white cartoon to world domination in just a few years not a bad run Mickey.

[onetexan]

20. They're not selling the Sports, News or broadcast networks though