Disney secures US$66bn Fox entertainment takeover

The Walt Disney Company has secured a US$66 billion deal that hands it most of 21st Century Fox’s TV and film assets, marking a seismic moment in recent entertainment history.

The deal effectively brings to an end Rupert Murdoch’s long career in entertainment media empire building, though he retains control of News Corp, which is primarily a news publisher.

Disney will pay Fox shareholders US$52.4 billion in stock and assume around US$13.7 billion in net debt, bringing the total bill to US$66.1 billion.

Bob Iger will remain chairman and CEO of Disney through to 2021, confirming news that had leaked last week.

The deal hands Disney control of Fox’s TV and movie studios, cable nets FX and National Geographic, an extra 30% of streaming service Hulu, 50% of formats powerhouse Endemol Shine Group (ESG), Fox Networks Group’s international channels suite, a 39% stake in European satcaster Sky and control of Indian pay TV service Star.

Programmes such as Modern Family, The Simpsons, Family Guy, Empire and Gotham will transfer over, as will film franchises such as X-Men and Planet of the Apes.

As Disney already owns ABC, it cannot also buy the Fox broadcast network due to anti-competition rules, and the Fox News and Fox Sports businesses remain with the Murdochs.

Industry sources close to both companies are voiced concerns over how Disney will integrate the new assets into its group.

One source questioned whether Disney execs would keep the current Fox distribution matrix, which comprises studio content vendor Twentieth Century Fox Television Distribution, non-broadcast contenthouse Fox Networks Group Content Distribution, ESG subsidiary Endemol ShineInternational and Sky’s sales arm, Sky Vision.

Disney has traditionally taken a much more vertical approach to its businesses, with all distribution going out through its Disney Media Distribution unit.

Other sources have questioned how arelationship between Disney, which mainly focuses on big brands, and Endemol Shine would work.

Much of the latter’s business comes through high-volume deal making of unscripted tape and reality formats, and is dependent on its large catalogues, which a well connected source noted runs contrary to Disney’s normal business models.

Following closure of the deal, which is subject to regulatory greenlights, the Murdochs will own about 5% of Disney stock.

Disney, founded back in 1923, has focused on big-ticket acquisitions under Bob Iger, who succeeded Michael Eisner in 2005.

Among the biggest deals are those for Pixar Animation, Marvel Entertainment and Star Wars owner Lucasfilm.

It acquired TV tech infrastructure company BAMTech earlier this year as a precursor to launching its own SVOD service, and adding Fox programming and movies to that provides another arrow in the quiver.

The deal in quotes

“The acquisition of this stellar collection of businesses from 21st Century Fox reflects the increasing consumer demand for a rich diversity of entertainment experiences that are more compelling, accessible and convenient than ever before. We’re honored and grateful that Rupert Murdoch has entrusted us with the future of businesses he spent a lifetime building, and we’re excited about this extraordinary opportunity to significantly increase our portfolio of well-loved franchises and branded content to greatly enhance our growing direct-to-consumer offerings. The deal will also substantially expand our international reach,allowing us to offer world-class storytelling and innovative distribution platforms to more consumers in key markets around the world.”

– Bob Iger, chairman and CEO, Disney

“We are extremely proud of all that we have built at 21st Century Fox, and I firmly believe that this combination with Disney will unlock even more value for shareholders as the new Disney continues to set the pace in what is an exciting and dynamic industry. Furthermore, I’m convinced that this combination, under Bob Iger’s leadership, will be one of the greatest companies in the world. I’m grateful and encouraged that Bob has agreed to stay on, and is committed to succeeding with a combined team that is second to none.”

– Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman, 21st Century Fox