Disney/Fox
This morning, the Walt Disney Company reached an agreement to acquire 21st Century Fox, including the Twentieth Century Fox Film and Television studios, along with all of Fox’s cable and international TV businesses. The deal is worth approximately $52.4 billion in stock, and simply put, reshape the entertainment industry.
According to New York Times, the acquisition means that Disney now has enough muscle to become a true competitor to Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Google and Facebook in the fast-growing realm of online video. While the deal does not Not includedFox News, the Fox broadcast network and FS1, 20th Century Fox, will be downsized, with some operations folded into Walt Disney Studios or refocused to make films designed for online distribution.
But we aren’t here for all the business mumbo-jumbo — we’re here for the movie and TV characters we love. So, enough blabbing, here’s the list of all the stuff Disney now (and much, much more):
– The X-Men
– Fantastic Four
– Deadpool
– Planet of the Apes
– Alien
– Avatar
– The Simpsons
– Kingsman
– Hulu (Yes, the streaming service)
– The Simpsons
– Predator
– Futurama
– Family Guy
– Die Hard
– Ice Age
– All the shows on FX
Here is the official press release issued by Disney:
The Walt Disney Company and Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Disney to acquire 21st Century Fox, including the Twentieth Century Fox Film and Television studios, along with cable and international TV businesses, for approximately $52.4 billion in stock (subject to adjustment). Building on Disney’s commitment to deliver the highest quality branded entertainment, the acquisition of these complementary assets would allow Disney to create more appealing content, build more direct relationships with consumers around the world and deliver a more compelling entertainment experience to consumers wherever and however they choose. Immediately prior to the acquisition, 21st Century Fox will separate the Fox Broadcasting network and stations, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FS1, FS2 and Big Ten Network into a newly listed company that will be spun off to its shareholders.
Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of 21st Century Fox will receive 0.2745 Disney shares for each 21st Century Fox share they hold (subject to adjustment for certain tax liabilities as described below). The exchange ratio was set based on a 30-day volume weighted average price of Disney stock. Disney will also assume approximately $13.7 billion of net debt of 21st Century Fox. The acquisition price implies a total equity value of approximately $52.4 billion and a total transaction value of approximately $66.1 billion (in each case based on the stated exchange ratio assuming no adjustment) for the business to be acquired by Disney, which includes consolidated assets along with a number of equity investments.
Combining with Disney are 21st Century Fox’s critically acclaimed film production businesses, including Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox 2000, which together offer diverse and compelling storytelling businesses and are the homes of Avatar, X-Men, Fantastic Four and Deadpool, as well as The Grand Budapest Hotel, Hidden Figures, Gone Girl, The Shape of Water and The Martian—and its storied television creative units, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Productions and Fox21, which have brought The Americans, This Is Us, Modern Family, The Simpsons and so many more hit TV series to viewers across the globe. Disney will also acquire FX Networks, National Geographic Partners, Fox Sports Regional Networks, Fox Networks Group International, Star India and Fox’s interests in Hulu, Sky plc, Tata Sky and Endemol Shine Group.
Disney already owns ABC, ESPN, Pixar, Marvel Studios, and all of their original content. And of course, The Simpsons somehow predicted it.
