Disney’s Deal for 21st Century Fox Is Said to Be Close
- 6 years ago
Disney’s Deal for 21st Century Fox Is Said to Be Close
That would be Hulu, which focuses on older viewers with programming
that includes ABC shows and original programming like “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Disney, which already has a stake in the service, would own about 60 percent of Hulu if it completes the deal with 21st Century Fox.
That would leave Mr. Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox with three properties: Fox News, the relatively young FS1 cable sports channel,
and a broadcasting unit formed by the Fox network and local TV stations.
Controlling the Fox library — which includes the “X-Men” movies, TV shows like “The Simpsons,” FX series like “The Americans”
and classic films like “The Sound of Music” — would give Disney additional leverage.
What happens to CBS and Viacom?”
Under the current contours of the discussions, which could always hit a last-minute snag, Disney would buy the 20th Century Fox movie
and television studios; 22 regional cable networks dedicated to sports; Fox’s stake in the Hulu streaming service; cable networks like FX and National Geographic; and stakes in two behemoth overseas television-service providers, Sky of Britain and Star of India.
To complete a 21st Century Fox integration and guarantee
that Disney’s streaming services are introduced without problems — two legacy-defining high-wire acts — Mr. Iger may well renew his contract for a fourth time.
One question that has not been resolved, and may not be by the time a deal is announced, is whether James Murdoch, Mr. Murdoch’s younger son
and the current chief executive of 21st Century Fox, would join Disney.
That would be Hulu, which focuses on older viewers with programming
that includes ABC shows and original programming like “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Disney, which already has a stake in the service, would own about 60 percent of Hulu if it completes the deal with 21st Century Fox.
That would leave Mr. Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox with three properties: Fox News, the relatively young FS1 cable sports channel,
and a broadcasting unit formed by the Fox network and local TV stations.
Controlling the Fox library — which includes the “X-Men” movies, TV shows like “The Simpsons,” FX series like “The Americans”
and classic films like “The Sound of Music” — would give Disney additional leverage.
What happens to CBS and Viacom?”
Under the current contours of the discussions, which could always hit a last-minute snag, Disney would buy the 20th Century Fox movie
and television studios; 22 regional cable networks dedicated to sports; Fox’s stake in the Hulu streaming service; cable networks like FX and National Geographic; and stakes in two behemoth overseas television-service providers, Sky of Britain and Star of India.
To complete a 21st Century Fox integration and guarantee
that Disney’s streaming services are introduced without problems — two legacy-defining high-wire acts — Mr. Iger may well renew his contract for a fourth time.
One question that has not been resolved, and may not be by the time a deal is announced, is whether James Murdoch, Mr. Murdoch’s younger son
and the current chief executive of 21st Century Fox, would join Disney.