The Rebooted "Keep Hope Alive" (that the rights can revert back to Marvel) Thread - - - - - - - - - - Part 19

[Willie Lumpkin]

Bob Iger: Disney Has ‘Much Better’ Chance of Closing Fox Deal Than Comcast

https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/bob-iger-disney-fox-comcast-acquistion-1202851921/

I think there was some question prior to this of Disney's commitment, but this bid and these comments show there is a commitment.

And Iger's comments just put more pressure on Disney to close it. Iger's words are writing a check that his board needs to cover, or they'll face the wrath of angry investors.

 

[Big Bang]

Bob Iger: Disney Has ‘Much Better’ Chance of Closing Fox Deal Than Comcast

https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/bob-iger-disney-fox-comcast-acquistion-1202851921/

I like this bit:

Iger noted that Disney is already six months into the regulatory review process and thus has a sense of the areas of concern for the Justice Department. He emphasized that Disney’s resolve to close the deal has only grown stronger after six months of studying Fox’s businesses and working with executives that Iger hopes to bring over to Disney.

Sounds like the DOJ might have raised some concern with the regional sports networks, which would explain the statement that Disney would be OK with letting those assets slide. No indication thus far that they need to though.

 

[DyfeddRex]

Waiting for the other shoe to drop before I try finding a FunkTrastic copy to watch to hold up my promise.

Roberts, being nearly as loony as a certain DC villian who smiles, could say....

"All In" on this yet, and offer some total stunner of a price.

And then be so leveraged that Sony buys him out in the end.

 

[Big Bang]

I don't disagree but they would have to increase before going to shareholders. I also think DIS may be overpaying big time, but I will have to look into the details before saying that for sure.

I don't disagree that they are as well. It's going to be an unfortunate necessity in this case. However, I think they can make the argument their ability to leverage the assets will in time, make up the difference. They are going to have to make some adjustments internally to ensure that each of their sectors is bringing in all potential revenue, and that might explain some "off topic" changes coming this fall.

Overall, if they can replicate the success they've had with Marvel and Pixar then the ends will justify the means.

 

[Xeno]

Waiting for the other shoe to drop before I try finding a FunkTrastic copy to watch to hold up my promise.

Roberts, being nearly as loony as a certain DC villian who smiles, could say....

"All In" on this yet, and offer some total stunner of a price.

And then be so leveraged that Sony buys him out in the end.

You can watch Fan4stic on FXM, which has played it several times over the last month. Or stream it somewhere. (YouTube has it for $2.99.) But for your own sake, don't buy it. The last thing you want is that toxic waste in your home.

 

[ADollarADay]

The July 10th voting by Fox shareholders has been postponed.

https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory/disney-ups-twenty-century-fox-703b-56025223

 

[Zarex]

I don't disagree but they would have to increase before going to shareholders. I also think DIS may be overpaying big time, but I will have to look into the details before saying that for sure.

I would agree - but it looks like Iger is going to be very aggressive about spinning off pieces to lower the actual final tally. There's already been talk about Endemol Shine being sold, Disney's chunk of Sky may end up with Comcast, the RSNs may be spun off, and FOX's share of Hulu may be sold off as well if that poses a problem with regulators. There may be quite a bit of bloodletting in the TV and film production as well if the price keeps rising.

 

[DyfeddRex]

You can watch Fan4stic on FXM, which has played it several times over the last month. Or stream it somewhere. (YouTube has it for $2.99.) But for your own sake, don't buy it. The last thing you want is that toxic waste in your home.

I figured after watching it, to use it for skeet at the trap range, but good point, the EPA might get upset at that being leached out into the environment.

 

[Abudefduf]

Bob Iger: Disney Has ‘Much Better’ Chance of Closing Fox Deal Than Comcast

https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/bob-iger-disney-fox-comcast-acquistion-1202851921/

Please no. I can't stand the thought of the core X-Men and the F4 being treated with respect, I just want to hear Deadpool and Wolverine say funny words.

 

[Iceman]

It's good to see Disney come back with such a concrete counter. They are definitely up for this fight. I thought the Comcast bid might have shaken their resolve.

 

[Flint Marko]

Please no. I can't stand the thought of the core X-Men and the F4 being treated with respect, I just want to hear Deadpool and Wolverine say funny words.

Absolute gold. I want to put this in my signature.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

More so than the film side of things, I’m just glad that marvel comics can finally start to act like they care about the properties that weren’t previously under their film umbrella.

X-men and the F4 should be At the forefront with Spider-Man and The Avengers

 

[Crimz]

I was expecting Disney to at least match Comcast not outbid them like this. It shows that they are serious about this which is good.

But it ain't over yet and I wonder how Comcast will react. Will they cripple themselves to try and get FOX?

 

[Detective Conan]

Will they cripple themselves to try and get FOX?

Yes. To Roberts, it’s “All or nothing” and he views Fox as a ‘must-win’ especially since it’d stick it to Disney after they rejected his hostile-bid in 2004.

It’s going to be rather interesting to see how this shakes. To me, the biggest news isn’t that Disney countered Comcast’s offer but that it does seem that the Mouse is still very determined to get the Fox assets — so much so that they’re willing to risk going into a potentially drawn out bidding war. I’ve heard that Iger is more ‘reserved’ compared to the more risky Roberts but I think the stakes are too high for Iger to back out now and lose this bidding war so I’d imagine he won’t be as reserved as he usually is since this is a special case.

 

[Willie Lumpkin]

Yes. To Roberts, it’s “All or nothing” and he views Fox as a ‘must-win’ especially since it’d stick it to Disney after they rejected his hostile-bid in 2004.

It’s going to be rather interesting to see how this shakes. To me, the biggest news isn’t that Disney countered Comcast’s offer but that it does seem that the Mouse is still very determined to get the Fox assets — so much so that they’re willing to risk going into a potentially drawn out bidding war. I’ve heard that Iger is more ‘reserved’ compared to the more risky Roberts but I think the stakes are too high for Iger to back out now and lose this bidding war so I’d imagine he won’t be as reserved as he usually is since this is a special case.

His comments on the conference call indicate they’re going to get this. He must be very sure he’ll do whatever it takes to make that statement. It may not be an overstatement to say he’s staking his legacy on it.

 

[BaronZemo]

It's a matter of a prestige for Iger as well. he already considered the second best CEO in company's history after Walt himself. Under his reign Disney has gotten Pixar, LucasArt, Marvel and now they are close to Fox. It's a hell of a run. Hollywood reporter has aleady placed him twice in a row in the top of most powerful men in the business.

 

[Marvel united]

We are rooting for Disney to kick Comcast's ass but I got a feeling this ain't over

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

Far from over, but this at least shows that Disney is really serious about this and aren't going to give up without a fight.

 

[Detective Conan]

We are rooting for Disney to kick Comcast's ass but I got a feeling this ain't over

Oh no question. As I said, Comcast already expected this move and will bid higher to top Disney’s bid but the news here isn’t so much Disney’s counter offer but their level of volition in seeing this deal through the end. It’s been thought previously that Roberts would likely get Fox because he’s more risky and simply wants it more than Disney and Iger is normally more ‘reserved’ but judging from Iger’s comments today he seems just as motivated — if not more so than Kabletown to get the Fox assets. Of course, things could still go south, but today is much more uplifting than the previous depressing days where the deal looked to be in jeopardy.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

fox seems fully intent on make a deal with Disney. And with Comcast scrambling around to put that offer together and still have it squashed by Disney, its only a matter of when at this point

 

[Limonade]

fox seems fully intent on make a deal with Disney. And with Comcast scrambling around to put that offer together and still have it squashed by Disney, its only a matter of when at this point

I have a feeling Comcast is willing to break itself for Fox, however. But how crazy is Roberts to see Fox go to Comcast?

 

[Detective Conan]

I have a feeling Comcast is willing to break itself for Fox, however. But how crazy is Roberts to see Fox go to Comcast?

Very. But if Comcast goes over 100 billion(not sure if he can) then Roberts is legit bat-sh** crazy and he’ll royally piss off his investors all while plunging his company in insurmountable debt.

 

[Iceman]

From Bloomberg: DISNEY IS SAID TO NEAR U.S. APPROVAL ON FOX IN BLOW TO COMCAST

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Is Brian Roberts really that off his rocker to risk his job over this?

Just take the loss, man.

 

[Marvel united]

Can't the Comcast board do anything to stop Roberts from going off the rails and plunging their company into an ocean of debt? Can nobody stop this man?