Done Deal: What Disney's Fox Acquisition Means For The Industry

What Disney’s Fox deal means for the industry

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With Disney and 21st Century Fox’s $71.3 billion merger now approved by shareholders, it seems all but certain that the deal will be confirmed in the coming months. Two of the world’s biggest and most powerful media giants are joining forces to expand their international reach and fight off competition from new players like YouTube and Netflix.

Today, we pull back the curtain and take a look at the short and sweet history of one of Hollywood’s most dramatic bidding wars, explore Disney’s upcoming Netflix challenger, and look at how competitors in the entertainment industry are planning to retaliate to a Disney/Fox attack.

A NAIL-BITING BIDDING WAR

Whether you’re on the side of the Mouse and the Fox, or you’re against the idea of a merger between two of the world’s most influential media companies, there’s no denying that the bidding war between The Walt Disney Company and Comcast has been as nail-biting and action-packed as an episode of the popular Star Wars franchise.

Talks began last year, with Disney negotiating with Rupert Murdoch to buy 21st Century Fox, a deal that would include the company’s vast entertainment archives, cable channels, National Geographic, FX and 20th Century Fox, a studio responsible for the world’s highest-grossing films of all time, including Avatar, Titanic, Star Wars, Home Alone, Deadpool and Night at the Museum. At the time, it was reported that the Murdoch family would spin offFox Television Stations, Fox News, Fox Sports and Fox Business Network to allow the deal to pass regulators without challenge.