How a Disney-Fox union would affect TV, movies
Playing soon: A deal between two U.S. entertainment icons that could change what sports you watch at home and even what superheroes battle it out on the big screen.
Walt Disney Co. is expected to be the acquirer of 21st Century Fox assets put up for sale by Fox’s Murdoch family as it streamlines Fox’s holdings and focuses on the news business.
The asset sale, which may be worth up to $60 billion in a deal CNBC says could come Thursday, would shift some Fox television- and movie-making studios to the acquirer as well as rights to some characters from the Marvel comic book universe that Fox now holds.
Such a deal would bulk up the kinds of shows Disney can provide viewers over one of its forthcoming streaming networks, essential as Disney gets ready to yank its shows off Netflix in 2019.
It could give Disney a bigger stake in television-streaming service Hulu and give it part-ownership of an international network to distribute movies such as Beauty and the Beast.
And it could make it easier for subscribers to the soon-to-be launched streaming service of ESPN, the sports network owned by Disney, to watch local sports. Part of the asset sale may include Fox Sports’ vast regional networks.
Here’s a breakdown of how the blockbuster deal might shake out whether you’re a sports, comic-book hero or movie fan — or all three.
For superhero fans
Buying 20th Century Fox’s film and TV studios could help Disney fulfill many comic book fans’ long-awaited dream: A return of the X-Men and Fantastic Four characters to the original owner. Before Disney bought Marvel in 2009, the comic-book publisher sold off rights of several popular characters — including X-Men’s Deadpool and Wolverine — to Fox and other studios.
A Fox studios sale to Disney would give Marvel, home to the Iron Man, Captain America and Avengers franchises, the ability to fully integrate the popular characters into future films together.
One catch: That may take awhile. Fox has three X-Men films in various stages of post-production and set for release in 2018.
Given how far along they are, these films should be released as scheduled.
But it is up in the air as to what comes next. Would Disney recast the roles? And would it change the tone?
Fox’s recent adult-focused strategy has helped with the commercial and critical success of Deadpool and Logan. Both of those films were rated “R,” a contrast with Disney’s family-friendly brand and its PG-13 Marvel films.
Ryan Reynolds ( Deadpool, a Fox film) and Chris Evans ( Captain America, a Disney/Marvel Studios franchise) have already weighed in on Twitter with their thoughts on the potential merger.
For ‘Star Wars’ lovers
Beyond the Marvel properties, Disney could gain 20th Century Fox’s other franchises, including Avatar and Planet of the Apes. Avatar is of particular value, with four sequels to 2009’s recordbreaking hit currently in development and set for release through 2025.
The Mouse House would also acquire one other highly valuable asset: The rights to Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, which Fox kept in perpetuity as part of its original deal with creator George Lucas to make the first film.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fox currently also owns the rights to Episodes I, II, III, V and VI, but those are set to transfer to Disney/Lucasfilm in 2020.
Getting all the Star Wars rights under Disney’s roof could finally make a longawaited three-trilogy box-set a reality.
What this means for movies: The Marvel Cinematic Universe could get its long-awaited reunion but at a potential cost of more adult-oriented films. Star Wars superfans might finally be able to own a full box set of movies.
For sports fans
Disney may also gain access to Fox Sports’ vast regional networks, complementing ESPN.
Fox owns 15 regional sports networks nationwide. These networks have broadcast rights deals with 44 of 81 Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association and National Hockey League teams as well as broadcast rights for many Division I college sports teams in those respective areas.
Fox’s 80% stake in the YES Network, which broadcasts the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Nets, has been speculated to go to Disney as well.
What is not expected to be sold is Fox’s national Fox Sports 1 network it launched — alongside FS2 — in 2013 to compete with ESPN. The company’s broadcast channel, which notably broadcasts national college football games, the World Series and NFL football, would also stay with Fox. What this means for sports: While Disney-owned ESPN has rights to a variety of national broadcasts for professional baseball, football, basketball as well as major Division I college sports, it’s less deep on regional games. Fox’s networks would help make ESPN’s planned 2018 streaming service more attractive to sports fans who want to cut the cord and ditch their pay TV service.
For the Fox News loyalist
The Disney/Fox deal would not be a complete purchase of 21st Century Fox. What’s not likely to change, according to CNBC: The local Fox broadcast channel (home of Sunday NFL football and popular television shows The Simpsons and Family Guy), the company’s affiliate networks and Fox News, Fox Business and Fox Sports 1 cable channels. These assets are said to remain with whatever is left of 21st Century Fox. It’s unclear whether Fox will also retain its other national networks, The Big Ten Network, Fox Sports Soccer, Fox Sports College and Fox Sports Deportes. What this means for news: The Murdoch family continues to run Fox News.