Mumbai: The Walt Disney Company and Twenty-First Century Fox today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for Disney to acquire 21st Century Fox, including the Twentieth Century Fox Film and Television studios, along with cable and international TV businesses, for approximately $52.4 billion in stock.
This mega deal between these two global Media and Entertainment entities will have its own impact in Indian Media and Entertainment Industry too. Star India, one of the largest Broadcasting Network in India with its Business spread across the length and breath of Indian Media and Entertainment Industry will be undergoing an ownership change. Presently Star India operates 69 channels reaching 720 million viewers a month across India and more than 100 other countries. In addition to this DTH arm Tata Sky and Endemol Shine India will also be facing the change of guard.
The following are the list of Popular Entertainment Properties to Join Disney Family in which Star India is also featuring:
Combining with Disney are 21st Century Fox’s critically acclaimed film production businesses, including Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox 2000, which together offer diverse and compelling storytelling businesses and are the homes of Avatar, X-Men, Fantastic Four and Dead pool, as well as The Grand Budapest Hotel, Hidden Figures, Gone Girl, The Shape of Water and The Martian—and its storied television creative units, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Productions and Fox21, which have brought The Americans, This Is Us, Modern Family, The Simpsons and so many more hit TV series to viewers across the globe. Disney will also acquire FX Networks, National Geographic Partners, Fox Sports Regional Networks, Fox Networks Group International, Star India and Fox’s interests in Hulu, Sky plc, Tata Sky and Endemol Shine Group.
Immediately prior to the acquisition, 21st Century Fox will separate the Fox Broadcasting network and stations, Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, FS1, FS2 and Big Ten Network into a newly listed company that will be spun off to its shareholders.