Disney's Next Acquisition Speculation / Discussion

[Disney Irish]

Disney could derail their bid, either by actually wanting to buy or just making it expensive like what happened with Sky. Not out of the realm of possibility (and for Bob would provide a great reason for another 5-10 years in the chair).

The Ellison family has deeper pockets than Disney, the family could literally buy Disney outright at this point if they wanted. You’re also talking about Larry (dad) who has bought dozens of companies over his career, way more than Iger ever has. He is known as a serial buyer of companies. So no Disney couldn’t derail it. Only thing Iger could do is bid it up, but Ellison won’t care. If Ellison wants it, just like with Paramount, he’ll get it (outside any regulatory issue).

 

[JustAGuy]

Disney could derail their bid, either by actually wanting to buy or just making it expensive like what happened with Sky. Not out of the realm of possibility (and for Bob would provide a great reason for another 5-10 years in the chair).

Would Bob, even want it? I mean 20th Century has been doing pretty well for them.

Besides the movie library, animation library, and DC comics. I can’t think of any other reason. But the regulations would be too massive. I’d honestly would be amazed if he managed to do it, at this point.

 

[Comped]

Would Bob, even want it? I mean 20th Century has been doing pretty well for them.

Besides the movie library, animation library, and DC comics. I can’t think of any other reason. But the regulations would be too massive. I’d honestly would be amazed if he managed to do it, at this point.

Current admin wouldn't mind... I might see some hiccups in the Latin American sport market, but I don't think anywhere else (or anything else) would be an issue regulatory-wise. Bob did almost buy them before Fox after all. Library makes sense, almost too much sense.

 

[Disney Irish]

Current admin wouldn't mind... I might see some hiccups in the Latin American sport market, but I don't think anywhere else (or anything else) would be an issue regulatory-wise. Bob did almost buy them before Fox after all. Library makes sense, almost too much sense.

Except it would be saddling Disney with almost double its current debt load. For what? A couple IPs that WB themselves have been having trouble with and a back catalog that they also aren't using. Not to mention that the US isn't the only regulatory body they have to worry about, EU Regulators might have an issue due to further consolidation under a single studio.

It makes sense only if thinking about it as a fan. But it doesn't make sense from a business standpoint. You have people already screaming because they think Disney's debt load is too high, no reason to saddle them with more just to have the screams even louder. Which is the exact reason that Disney is never in the real discussion when talking about who could potentially buy WB in part or in whole.

Plus if Ellison passes on it, which I doubt as the Ellison's have never passed on anything once they have their mind set on something, Zaslav will move forward with the split of the company as was planned. And then end up selling the studio/streamer to an Apple or Netflix.

Basically long story short, there is almost no scenario at this point where I see Disney picking up WB. If Bob wanted it he shouldn't have passed on it, its too late now. Players with deeper pockets now in the mix.

 

[Comped]

Not to mention that the US isn't the only regulatory body they have to worry about, EU Regulators might have an issue due to further consolidation under a single studio.

Very low chance the EU will care, in all honesty. They might be annoyed about it, but there's very little reason for them to deny such a move (Eurosport is a potential sore point, but it's not like ESPN is giant in Europe by comparison).

 

[Disney Irish]

Very low chance the EU will care, in all honesty. They might be annoyed about it, but there's very little reason for them to deny such a move (Eurosport is a potential sore point, but it's not like ESPN is giant in Europe by comparison).

The EU has taken each studio merger on a case-by-case basis, and while they haven't had much issue in the past (with some small exceptions regarding specific channels they required Disney to sell off and such in the case of Disney/Fox merger), that doesn't mean they will continue that way in the future. As more consolidation happens each will get tougher and tougher to get passed regulators. And if too much consolidation happens under a single studio you can be sure they would bring up anti-competitive reasons, as its not just about sports but the entire movie industry.

 

[JustAGuy]

Current admin wouldn't mind... I might see some hiccups in the Latin American sport market, but I don't think anywhere else (or anything else) would be an issue regulatory-wise. Bob did almost buy them before Fox after all. Library makes sense, almost too much sense.

I mean I know it does. But I feel like if the option was just the library and not the entire rest of the company. He’d only want the library. I mean he can try but I doubt Zaslav wants that.

But honestly I’m not going to lie. I’s be curious to see what Disney would do with Looney Tunes, and DC. If it didn’t lead to people losing their jobs.

But something tells me, Bob, will probably pass on it.

 

[Disney Irish]

I mean I know it does. But I feel like if the option was just the library and not the entire rest of the company. He’d only want the library. I mean he can try but I doubt Zaslav wants that.

But honestly I’m not going to lie. I’s be curious to see what Disney would do with Looney Tunes, and DC. If it didn’t lead to people losing their jobs.

But something tells me, Bob, will probably pass on it.

Not to mention that no potential buyer would buy just the studio without the library, as it’s a package.

 

[Miru]

Would Bob, even want it? I mean 20th Century has been doing pretty well for them.

Besides the movie library, animation library, and DC comics. I can’t think of any other reason. But the regulations would be too massive. I’d honestly would be amazed if he managed to do it, at this point.

They get a video game library too, anime rights to win over those more into Eastern media, and Six Flags.

 

[Disney Irish]

They get a video game library too, anime rights to win over those more into Eastern media, and Six Flags.

Except many of those are separate from the film library which is what is being discussed. And again as pointed out why would any potential buyer of the studio not want the film library too. Basically without the film library the studio is useless as they couldn't use the IP.

So unless Disney is willing to go toe-to-toe with Billionaires that have deeper pockets they have no shot of even putting in a bid.

I understand its a hard pill to swallow for some fans that really dreamed of having DC and Looney Tunes under Disney, but there is almost no world in which it happens at this point. If Iger wanted it he should have acted faster back in 2016 when he had a chance to buy it.

Also unless people haven't been paying attention the whole point of Ellison buying WB on top of Paramount is to create a family legacy far beyond technology where their name already means something. There is no way they will pass up on this prize now that they have their eyes on it.

 

[JustAGuy]

Except many of those are separate from the film library which is what is being discussed. And again as pointed out why would any potential buyer of the studio not want the film library too. Basically without the film library the studio is useless as they couldn't use the IP.

So unless Disney is willing to go toe-to-toe with Billionaires that have deeper pockets they have no shot of even putting in a bid.

I understand its a hard pill to swallow for some fans that really dreamed of having DC and Looney Tunes under Disney, but there is almost no world in which it happens at this point. If Iger wanted it he should have acted faster back in 2016 when he had a chance to buy it.

Also unless people haven't been paying attention the whole point of Ellison buying WB on top of Paramount is to create a family legacy far beyond technology where their name already means something. There is no way they will pass up on this prize now that they have their eyes on it.

Yep. If Disney wanted something cheaper, and easier to get, Hasbro or Mattel. But I don’t know if Bob, wants to get into the toy business.

 

[DisDude33]

Yep. If Disney wanted something cheaper, and easier to get, Hasbro or Mattel. But I don’t know if Bob, wants to get into the toy business.

I doubt Bob is looking into getting any big acquisitions at this point but thinking about it now I’m actually surprised that Iger or Eisner never made a move to get a toy company and make them the in house merchandise company.

 

[Disney Irish]

Yep. If Disney wanted something cheaper, and easier to get, Hasbro or Mattel. But I don’t know if Bob, wants to get into the toy business.

It’s a low margin high cost business, not likely Disney becomes a toy maker. They make more just from the licenses.

 

[Disney Irish]

I will say this, I do hope whoever does buy WB finally releases Batgirl. Just take the tax hit and release it, I'm sure it would do bank at the box office, more than enough to cover the tax bill. Who cares if its no longer part of the current DC canon.