Disney promoting Universal?

[juan]

I saw something last week and was quite puzzled.
Last Friday (I think) Disney showed Shrek 2 on ABC.
Shrek is a Dreamworks(owned by Universal) movie.

I would have thought that NBC(owned by GE which also owns Universal) would have shown the movie.

So what's going on here?

(I know it could be just simple syndication, but considering how Shrek is a draw to Universal Orlando, I would think that a different movie would have been chosen.)

 

[NemoRocks78]

Dreamworks is not owned by Universal, they are owned by Paramount. This whole thing is no different than ABC showing WB's Harry Potter films.

 

[juan]

oh i see

I was still wondering about the Universal Orlando involvement with Shrek
so I did some research and found out that the Shrek movies are made by Dreamworks (Viacom) but were actually distributed on DVD/video by Universal (until Paramount took over distribution of the series in 2006)

 

[mkt]

The Disney-Universal rivalry is pretty limited to Orlando

Elsewhere, the two companies could care less about the other.. hell, in California you can get both DLR and USH on the same ticket. In several international markets, Disney actually markets Universal movies (ie- Bruce Almighty fell under the Buena Vista flag for Europe)

 

[darthjohnny]

I remember once, Universal inadvertently promoted Disney.

Anyone remember the show The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo on Nickelodeon? It was filmed at Universal Orlando. But in one episode, they had to visit an aquarium/sea research lab, and I believe they filmed it at the Living Seas at Epcot.

(I know though, Nickelodeon is owned by Viacom too. But I believe Viacom almost bought Universal at one point.)

 

[prberk]

Yeah, and don't forget that ABC is a network of broadcast affiliates. As a broadcast network, they cannot be completely beholden to one studio, even if it is their parent company. There are rules and regulations regarding fair access to the public airways that affect the way their purchasing is done.

So, while ABC will be affected by it owner, its purchasing must show some competitive nature and openness to the market, in order to meet regulatory requirements. I must serve the public trust.

That is my understanding of part of the way broadcast networks differ from cable networks.

 

[darthjohnny]

The Disney-Universal rivalry is pretty limited to Orlando

Elsewhere, the two companies could care less about the other..

That may be true. I was watching the new Pirates 2 DVD, and found out that some of the filming was actually done at the Universal Studios Backlot!

 

[WDW Monorail]

There are FCC laws that state that one must advertise anyone who pays for it including competitors.

 

[dxwwf3]

Just look at the new Disney Parks Planning DVD. In the Disneyland section they actually show promos of Universal Studios Hollywood and Sea World San Diego.