Understanding the End Date of Disney's Ownership over 20th Century Fox
When you hear about Disney's ownership over 20th Century Fox, it's important to understand the context and details of this deal. At first glance, it may seem like a temporary arrangement, but the reality is more complex and permanent.
Disney's Complete Acquisition
Disney does not merely have a contract with 20th Century Fox. Instead, in 2019, Disney completed the acquisition of the 20th Century Studios. They now own these studios outright, with all associated assets and film rights. Rupert Murdoch, the former owner, retained other assets under the New Fox Corporation, including Fox News, Fox Sports, and the Fox TV network.
This acquisition means that Disney has full ownership of the 20th Century Studios and all the film rights that came with them. These rights are not temporary and do not have an end date. They will remain with Disney until such a time that Disney decides to sell them, which is highly unlikely.
Government Evaluation and Timeline
The process of evaluating the deal is ongoing and is being handled by the US Justice Department. While most experts believe that a decision will be made this year, the actual timeline is dictated by the government's thorough review. The fate of this deal is not straightforward, as Comcast has also expressed interest in acquiring similar assets from Fox. Comcast’s offer, however, is contingent on the outcome of the ATT/WarnerMedia merger, which is also a critical case for determining the precedent of cable companies owning content producers.
The Impact of the ATT/WarnerMedia Merger
The ATT/WarnerMedia merger is currently making its way through the legal process. Once this case is resolved, it will undoubtedly have an impact on the Disney/Fox deal. ATT/WarnerMedia represents the scenario where a traditional telecom giant is acquiring a media production company. The Disney/Fox deal represents a media production company acquiring another production company, a different but equally significant scenario.
While some experts predict that we might know by early to mid-2019 whether the Disney/Fox deal will proceed, the government's evaluation process is complex and may take longer than expected.
The Current Situation of the Fantastic Four and X-Men
It's worth noting that the rights to the Fantastic Four and X-Men are managed differently. Fox currently holds these rights under contract and must continue producing films featuring these characters. If Fox fails to do so, these rights will revert to Marvel Entertainment. Disney, on the other hand, owns the films and the associated intellectual property.
While the ATT/WarnerMedia merger and the potential Comcast deal are significant, the end date for Disney's ownership over 20th Century Fox itself is not limited by these factors. The acquisition is a permanent one.
In conclusion, if the US Justice Department approves the deal and Fox continues to pursue it with Disney, Disney will indeed purchase much of Fox’s properties permanently. The question of when the deal will be finalized this year or next year is a good one, but the eventual outcome will be a merger, not a temporary license with a sunset date.
The timeline is complex, and the impact of the ATT/WarnerMedia and potential Comcast deals will play a role, but Disney's acquisition of 20th Century Fox is a permanent transaction with no end date.