The Disney owns Fox thread

[Wheels]

Yes, Disney gets the entire TV Whedonverse.

Hmmmm....Buffy would fit right in with Blade and Marvel Comics in general.

 

[green]

To be blunt: Angry. It is absolutely terrible to anyone who does not want to live in Disneyland.

I really do understand where you are coming from, it's a whole lot of power for one company to wield but this sale was going to happen. If it wasn't to Disney it was going to be to someone else. Who would you have preferred?

 

[MadVillainy]

To be blunt: Angry. It is absolutely terrible to anyone who does not want to live in Disneyland.

I won't allow you to use Disneyland or Disneyworld as an insult.

Jokes aside, I'm mixed on the whole thing

 

[Sithborg]

Oh man, they are totally going to kill Dark Horse's Alien/Predator comics, aren't they?

And likely their Buffy comics.

Man, Disney has been a real dick to Dark Horse.

 

[Brother Jack]

I haven't seen one person on this board explain the larger implications. Everyone just screams its great or its terrible.

As someone who knows little of past Disney mergers aside from them getting Lucasfilm/Marvel/ESPN/Pixar, etc, what are the pros and cons here?

Competition is good for a free market. It's the lubricant of industry. What Disney has the power to do now is eliminate competition to a larger degree than the film industry has ever experienced before. That means they have the impunity to do virtually anything they want. This has some good implications certainly, but it has a lot more very bad implications. It might be cynical to assume Disney will abuse that power, but economic theory is literally based around the line of thinking that they will. That's why monopolies are seen as bad things.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Just because Disney is buying FOX doesn't mean that there still won't be "competition" for better and greater films. So far, the folks at Disney don't seem to be micromanaging their properties: the MCU has flourished under the guidance of Kevin Feige--it's his vision that's driving the brand. Having Fantastic Four and The X-Men join that universe only expands his opportunities for greater story-telling. The same will hold true for other film franchises like Alien, Avatar, etc. They will each have their own creative forces driving them for better or worst.

What I CAN say though is that Disney has a good head for quality control. Nearly everything they put out is critically acclaimed and well-made. That's why they keep making $7 billion in sales annually--audiences appreciate what they release.

Isn't that what we all want? Better films?

 

[Hurm...]

It's terrible but hey we get Star Wars and Marvel movies under one studio so who cares if it ruins absolutely everything else!

Yeah. That narrow minded thinking is really helpful. The larger implications are absolutely terrible and they should not be allowed to go forward. It has the potential to be worse than many of the past mergers ever were and I really doubt Disney is going to let Fox run untouched or with the same degree of content it used to have.

The monopoly implications alone are absurd but it clearly does not matter because again, the X-Men can play nice with Spider-Man and the Avengers and we'll get some kind of unaltered ANH?

I agree. It's really disappointing that few people in this thread are concerned with the real world implications, as opposed to the ones concerning their cartoon characters.

 

[Hurm...]

Just because Disney is buying FOX doesn't mean that there still won't be "competition" for better and greater films. So far, the folks at Disney don't seem to be micromanaging their properties: the MCU has flourished under the guidance of Kevin Feige--it's his vision that's driving the brand. Having Fantastic Four and The X-Men join that universe only expands his opportunities for greater story-telling. The same will hold true for other film franchises like Alien, Avatar, etc. They will each have their own creative forces driving them for better or worst.

What I CAN say though is that Disney has a good head for quality control. Nearly everything they put out is critically acclaimed and well-made. That's why they keep making $7 billion in sales annually--audiences appreciate what they release.

Isn't that what we all want? Better films?

You still aren't seeing the bigger, real world picture: They would profit from all of the films you listed. That's the only part of competition that really matters in a free market.

 

[Steyin]

It's been said before, I even said it directly there but I will give it to you in a single easy to understand word: Monopoly. No they are not there yet but it is a massive consolidation of content under one roof. If you can't understand that then I'm afraid nothing else will get past your blinders.

Though besides that the other implications are that Disney will also be able to water down content (Fox has a long history of R-rated content that is almost certainly going to be Disneyfied) and further power to control copyright. They already forced their way into extending copyright laws into absurd centuries of ownership instead of after the death of the author. This kind of power only incentivizes them to increase it longer because if they lose ownership of such a huge amount of content to public works then their empire collapses.

Further, it means they have more control over prices of movie tickets, how much cable will charge for the channels and content they own. This is all about content and how to own as much of it as possible. They are going to use this to pull further content away from Netflix and onto their own streaming service, further fragmenting the streaming networks already there.

They own a huge chunk of pop culture now and this will stifle any attempts to fight them when they can just snuff out the competition by denying them a platform to air on. When Disney gets ownership of 60% of Hulu they can dictate to their preferences what new content can be aired.

It's a massive problem but because they might promise to not do certain things like not interfere with the studios independence (when has such a promise ever been truly kept?) they will inevitably decide they know better and become a literal WalMart of media.

Again, this is not new and a lot of comments have been made, even in this thread but if you bothered to read absolutely anything outside your sphere of comfort and an actual analysis of this you would know that already.

Oh I understand the implications of them becoming a monopoly very well. I don't believe they will water down content, but I suppose that is yet to be seen. I wasn't as aware of them being able to manipulate ticket prices, but price increases for content on cable/streaming services is of no surprise to me.

The biggest issue in my eyes would be limiting creative content of course as has been discussed, but again something else that remains to be seen as to how it will play out. I thank you for the extended info Teelie; I do read but didn't quite see things elaborated on, but still the condescension in your tone is unwarranted quite frankly.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

You still aren't seeing the bigger, real world picture: They would profit from all of the films you listed. That's the only part of competition that really matters in a free market.

No, I am seeing the broader picture: at the end of the day this is a business. And businesses grow on the strength of quality which equals making more $$$. Quality is what Disney is known for--and that's why they're printing money these days. You're complaining that Disney would profit from those films. Okay. And? That's what capitalization is all about:

1.) The film franchises benefit from being associated with the Disney moniker and quality control.
2.) Disney makes more money.
3.) Audiences get better films, more satisfying product.

In other words, all parties are capitalizing on the outcome of this merger. Unless you have stock in something I'm not aware of, explain to me how this is a negative?

 

[Neno_Kos]

Copy paste comment

Am I the only one being concerned by the fact that Disney is owning almost every aspect of our entertainment? Our imagination is literally almost entirely own by one company. This is a huge. If I were to put on my tinfoil hat, I could see people trying to social engineer our way of life and thinking by pushing an agenda in the media they produce. Am I crazy?

no my friend you are not. this is why rebelions are lead.

 

[Lightning Strykez!]

Oh I understand the implications of them becoming a monopoly very well. I don't believe they will water down content, but I suppose that is yet to be seen. I wasn't as aware of them being able to manipulate ticket prices, but price increases for content on cable/streaming services is of no surprise to me.

Exactly. You get it.

The biggest issue in my eyes would be limiting creative content of course as has been discussed, but again something else that remains to be seen as to how it will play out.

Agreed; I think we need to sit back and see how things turn out.

In my opinion, Star Wars and Marvel have benefited and grown tremendously under Disney. Not just financially, but also in terms of the depth and quality of product. For example: look at how Marvel's properties performed under FOX's management: the quality of the films were terrible and they were mostly critically panned. Granted, things could change, but I don't see Disney tolerating that under their umbrella. I, like many other fans, want GOOD movies and series. Not hit-and-miss (or mostly misses).

I thank you for the extended info Teelie; I do read but didn't quite see things elaborated on, but still the condescension in your tone is unwarranted quite frankly.

I've noticed that condescending tone in a few of the posts here. I guess Teelie will have to change his avatar if he hates the idea of Deadpool going home to Marvel...

 

[psylockolussus]

Just because Disney is buying FOX doesn't mean that there still won't be "competition" for better and greater films. So far, the folks at Disney don't seem to be micromanaging their properties: the MCU has flourished under the guidance of Kevin Feige--it's his vision that's driving the brand. Having Fantastic Four and The X-Men join that universe only expands his opportunities for greater story-telling. The same will hold true for other film franchises like Alien, Avatar, etc. They will each have their own creative forces driving them for better or worst.

What I CAN say though is that Disney has a good head for quality control. Nearly everything they put out is critically acclaimed and well-made. That's why they keep making $7 billion in sales annually--audiences appreciate what they release.

Isn't that what we all want? Better films?

Xactly. Disney have better quality control compare to Fox. And Fox's franchises/assets would
prosper more under Disney.

 

[Grootster]

Realize what you're saying here. Disney is becoming more of a monopoly with more power yet you're thinking relatively, it might be all worth it because of some unaltered movies?

Not aimed at you, but if anyone seriously believes this is a good deal they are out of touch with reality and are focusing on the wrong things and not the big picture.

But hey, as long as I get to enjoy my X-Men movies crossed over with Marvel then all is well. Now let me be amused to death!

You do bring up a good point. I personally haven't watched or cared about anything Fox has put out for years, so the only thing on my radar is the unaltered trilogy. For people who are more into their movies, I can see why this isn't a good thing.

 

[honestbharani]

So can someone explain to me the Department of Justice's grounds for filing suit against the AT&T/Time Warner merger, but not this?

Merger of Content + Platform Vs Content + Content

The former can challenge foundational aspects like net neutrality. Latter cannot.

 

[honestbharani]

It's terrible but hey we get Star Wars and Marvel movies under one studio so who cares if it ruins absolutely everything else!

Yeah. That narrow minded thinking is really helpful. The larger implications are absolutely terrible and they should not be allowed to go forward. It has the potential to be worse than many of the past mergers ever were and I really doubt Disney is going to let Fox run untouched or with the same degree of content it used to have.

The monopoly implications alone are absurd but it clearly does not matter because again, the X-Men can play nice with Spider-Man and the Avengers and we'll get some kind of unaltered ANH?

Again, how the hell is this a monopoly? And why is this exactly terrible? Because you don't like Disney or is there an actual reason?

 

[Faora]

Its official
https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/walt-disney-company-acquire-twenty-first-century-fox-inc-spinoff-certain-businesses-52-4-billion-stock-2/

 

[honestbharani]

People will lose their damn jobs but hey, Star Wars and X-Men!

Better get my flamethrower.

They won't have lost it if Fox simply sold to someone else?

 

[Spider-Fan]

This is where I am at. I was fine with X-Men where they were personally. But so many franchises are now under them it's scary. For me, competition between studios is a good thing and means more good movies generally speaking.

Now a lot more movies are likely to be Disneyfied. And I speak as someone who likes a lot of their movies.

Who would you have preffered to buy FOX, because no matter if this particular deal materialized, FOX was selling their assets. It doesn't matter if it was Disney, Comcast, etc. Fox's fate was sealed and another of the big time companies was gaining them (they're the only ones that can afford to). I get the larger implications about monopolies and such, but the harsh reality is Disney didn't go to FOX and bully them into a deal, FOX was selling their assets to the best buyer for them because they wanted out of these particular businesses. So, if Comcast bought FOX, would we be having this same conversation?

 

[childeroland]

What does this mean for X-Men and the MCU? Supposedly Feige's wanted to get his hands on X-Men for a long time.

 

[Sithborg]

No idea yet.

 

[honestbharani]

It's been said before, I even said it directly there but I will give it to you in a single easy to understand word: Monopoly. No they are not there yet but it is a massive consolidation of content under one roof. If you can't understand that then I'm afraid nothing else will get past your blinders.

Though besides that the other implications are that Disney will also be able to water down content (Fox has a long history of R-rated content that is almost certainly going to be Disneyfied) and further power to control copyright. They already forced their way into extending copyright laws into absurd centuries of ownership instead of after the death of the author. This kind of power only incentivizes them to increase it longer because if they lose ownership of such a huge amount of content to public works then their empire collapses.

Further, it means they have more control over prices of movie tickets, how much cable will charge for the channels and content they own. This is all about content and how to own as much of it as possible. They are going to use this to pull further content away from Netflix and onto their own streaming service, further fragmenting the streaming networks already there.

They own a huge chunk of pop culture now and this will stifle any attempts to fight them when they can just snuff out the competition by denying them a platform to air on. When Disney gets ownership of 60% of Hulu they can dictate to their preferences what new content can be aired.

It's a massive problem but because they might promise to not do certain things like not interfere with the studios independence (when has such a promise ever been truly kept?) they will inevitably decide they know better and become a literal WalMart of media.

Again, this is not new and a lot of comments have been made, even in this thread but if you bothered to read absolutely anything outside your sphere of comfort and an actual analysis of this you would know that already.

You almost speak as if it is a federal crime for people to come up with original content. Copyright laws were, are and will continue to be a gray area with no real right or wrong. Monopoly is a word that seems to be very scantily understood by a few posters here. As someone who has advised on M&As for a job, consolidation is a reality of any market today. Consolidation does not kill competition. It actually fosters creativity, innovation and cross-pollination of ideas and businesses. I am of the firm opinion that a company like Netflix will provide the biggest competition to Disney in the coming years as an overall media group than the other studios. But that will not be due to lack of content from other studios. Disney and Netflix are the two companies who seem to have shown the foresight and planning you need to survive in an ever changing landscape. The fact that Disney can churn out profitable movies in the age of illegal internet streaming is proof of that. I like how you seem to want to paint that yours is the only opinion that is balanced or real, but as always, the ones who have to ACT smart.....

 

[:eek:]

No, I am seeing the broader picture: at the end of the day this is a business. And businesses grow on the strength of quality which equals making more $$$. Quality is what Disney is known for--and that's why they're printing money these days. You're complaining that Disney would profit from those films. Okay. And? That's what capitalization is all about:

1.) The film franchises benefit from being associated with the Disney moniker and quality control.
2.) Disney makes more money.
3.) Audiences get better films, more satisfying product.

In other words, all parties are capitalizing on the outcome of this merger. Unless you have stock in something I'm not aware of, explain to me how this is a negative?

Audiences get better films? Well, that's all about personal taste, and what you want from movies.

 

[honestbharani]

to be blunt: Angry. It is absolutely terrible to anyone who does not want to live in reality.

ftfy.

 

[Kane52630]