Disney has completed its $71bn takeover of 21st Century Fox which is owned by Rupert Murdoch. As part of the deal, Disney will absorb the Fox film and TV studios, the FX networks, National Geographic and the Indian TV giant Star India in a huge boost to its content.
It plans to launch its new streaming service Disney Plus later this year as it challenges Netflix for future audience share.
Before the takeover, Disney already boasted a fearsome catalogue of content, including its classic cartoons, Star Wars and many of the Marvel characters.
After purchasing Fox, it will be able to add the likes of X-Men and Deadpool to its portfolio and take on Netflix and Amazon.
The deal also helps Disney further control TV shows and movies from start to finish – from creating the programmes to distributing them through television channels, cinemas, streaming services and other ways people watch entertainment. Disney would get valuable data on customers and their entertainment-viewing habits, which it can then use to sell advertising.
In a statement, Robert Iger, the chairman and chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Company, hailed the move.
“This is an extraordinary and historic moment for us – one that will create significant long-term value for our company and our shareholders.
“Combining Disney’s and 21st Century Fox’s wealth of creative content and proven talent creates the pre-eminent global entertainment company, well-positioned to lead in an incredibly dynamic and transformative era.”
The move instantly cut the number of major Hollywood studios, ending the era of the “Big Six”. Warner Bros, Universal, Sony Pictures and Paramount Pictures now make up a Big Five with Disney.
It also cast major doubt over the jobs of potentially thousands of workers, with experts predicting as many as 4,000 positions could be cut.
Disney also doubled its 30% stake in streaming service Hulu, making it by far the biggest stakeholder.
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