Comments
DHagar
12/14/2017 5:19:18 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Disney Buys Fox
@Mike, This seems to be a big win for Disney, particularly in light of the net neutrality rulings. It should give them real momentum. I would also predict it will get approved in the context of the new attitudes towards regulation and Washington.
This will be interesting to see how it develops and how it changes services in their future offerings.
mpouraryan
12/15/2017 2:32:43 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Disney Buys Fox
A lot still has to happen--but it underscores the changing landscape of the Media--but as for Net Neutrality, the fight does continue as we bid farewell to 2017 and gear up for 2018.
DHagar
12/15/2017 4:21:15 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Disney Buys Fox
@mpouraryan, very true, it will be open to great scrutiny I am sure. But you are correct, the genie is out of the box and the media landscape is definitely evolving. Time will tell what these changes produce.
Yes, net neutrality will also go through legal challenges and the ways that telecoms apply their new found freedom will determine if it is a positive or negative move.
elizabethv
12/15/2017 8:17:16 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Disney Buys Fox
@DHagar - You're exactly right in your assessment. If nothing else, this definitely underscores the direction of everything with the whole Net Neutrality and de-regulation favored by the current administration. It's certainly great for Disney, who is becoming a behemouth of a company. And I'm not at all sure this is what Walt would have wanted for his company. But it is what it is, and I guess we'll just have to see where this is going to go.
DHagar
12/15/2017 4:26:17 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Disney Buys Fox
@elizabethv, well said. I do not think that Disney would have necessarily approved of the growth without the value/vision that he had for Disney. In other words, growth was not the goal with him, and profitability alone, it was the RESULT of his success that produced growth and the wealth of Disney.
clrmoney
12/14/2017 7:39:36 PM
User Rank Platinum
Disney buys Video Assets
I'm not a fan of Disney but this is a great business move for them so I say to continue success.
afwriter
12/15/2017 1:23:14 PM
User Rank Platinum
This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
I am so against this move it makes my blood boil. We may as well kiss Netflix as we know it right now goodbye because they are going to have to jack up their prices and rely solely on their original content since Disney is buying up every other media company they can and creating their own streaming service. I know it is a great business move for them, but I'm not looking forward to having to pay $20 to rent a 30-year-old movie from the fox catalog.
DHagar
12/15/2017 4:30:43 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@afwriter, I definitely understand your concerns. I believe that the consolidation of Disney/Fox will also affect Hulu. The opportunity to take "advantage" of their control of Netflix may just be too much to resist?
afwriter
12/16/2017 1:08:27 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
I am all for capitalism but Disney brings out the worst in capitalism gone rampant. Can you imagine this merger killing multiple OTTs? Then Disney can charge whatever they want for their streaming service. In original content we trust, I guess.
faryl
12/16/2017 6:21:49 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
“Disney brings out the worst in capitalism gone rampant” <—- I completely agree.
Instead of being the company that brings imagination & wonder to the masses, I feel like its goal has become to grab every penny possible. Even the parks are something that are unaffordable to most (cost of a day pass aside, prices inside are crazy too).
And Disney is such a behemoth, they seem to get away with contract clauses like few other companies do. Not sure if it is still the case, but they used to negotiate contracts with Microsoft, for example, that left them exempt from the routine licensing audits that other enterprise sized companies were subject to.
I used to be such a huge fan of Disney, but lately whenever I hear Disney is getting its hands on something, my sense is that it’s not going to be good for anyone other than Disney.
elizabethv
12/18/2017 8:34:20 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
I think in general, large multi-media corporations, bring out the worst in captailism. And Disney is hardly alone in their role. That's why this whole net neutrality thing really gets me. Cable companies will be able to completely hi-jack our rates and what choice do we have but to pay them? It isn't like there are a plethora of options available to use when it comes to cable companies. And realistically, OTT isn't too far off either. Sure, there are a lot more options than there are cable companies, but most of them are so small their selection can hardly be worth the cost they would need to survive. If you're going to cut the cord, chances are, you are at least going to use Amazon or Netflix. And even if Disney creates a powerhouse of an OTT, I don't see them knocking Amazon or Netflix down.
DHagar
12/18/2017 6:17:32 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@afwriter, that is indeed the opportunity that has been created. It appears that if the deal goes through the only restraints will be the ones they choose. I see them as changing Hulu and ramping that up to be a competitor to Netflix. There goes the neighborhood?
srufolo1
12/18/2017 11:17:07 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@afwriter I'm probably living in the past but still associate Disney with its founder, Walt Disney, who brought magic into children's lives with his TV show "Wonderful World of Disney." It's difficult to think of Disney as a capitalistic behemoth, but you're probably right.
elizabethv
12/19/2017 9:13:10 AM
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Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@srufolo1 - I balance both images. I had a blast a few weeks ago teaching my kids the old "Mickey Mouse" song. And I remember the sing-a-long movies I used to have with the bouncing Mickey head to help keep your place. But I also recognize the gigantic profit machine that is today's Disney. I enjoy Disneyland as much as the next person, even went to Disney World for my honeymoon six years ago. But they are certainly too big to fail at this point.
srufolo1
12/19/2017 11:11:15 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@elizabethv And I may be dating myself again, but the Mickey Mouse club was something I sat and watched in front of a black-and-white TV. Today, Disney World makes it almost prohibitive for some parents to bring their children because of the cost. It certainly is too big to fail, however we'll have to wait and see what happens with this latest move on Disney's part.
elizabethv
12/20/2017 8:42:12 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@srufolo1 - Without a doubt the cost of Disney World is prohibitive to some kids/parents. And my family is one of them. Though if we end up making enough money on the sale of our house, I might try to convince my husband to look into spending some of it on taking our kids. I can already see me failing. I do kind of feel like this is a mistake on Disney's part. Maybe I'm totally off base, but I don't see a Disney OTT as being all that successful. And I can't even defend that stance, because I don't know why. And on paper it sounds good. But I still don't see it succeeding.
srufolo1
12/27/2017 6:54:44 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@elizabeth Well, I certainly hope that taking the kids to Disney becomes a reality. And I do understand your trepidation over a Disney OTT.
afwriter
12/19/2017 10:40:36 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@Srufolo1 I feel you, I grew up on Disney too but it seems as if they've lost their way. Personally, I think it started when they started producing direct to video sequels of their classics just to squeeze a few extra bucks out of them.
elizabethv
12/18/2017 8:37:24 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@DHagar - If Disney is going to knock any OTT down, my bet would be Hulu. Especially since Disney owns ABC and a big chunk of Hulu's content is ABC. If Disney decides to create their own OTT and air ABC programming on it, at best Hulu would take a strong hit.
DHagar
12/18/2017 6:22:41 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@elisabethv, interesting thoughts - but as I understand it they own a minority of Hulu, as does 21st Century Fox, which could result in the merger giving them majority ownership in Hulu. If so, that is possibly one of the prime real estate assets they are seeking?
afwriter
12/18/2017 10:45:44 PM
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Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@Dhagar that is an interesting theory and one that I'm going to be keeping an eye on.
DHagar
12/19/2017 4:59:08 PM
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Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@afwriter, keep me informed! They obviously have a specific value focus that they see. I believe they see this as a delivery system they can use to compete.
elizabethv
12/19/2017 9:22:33 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@DHagar - Prevoiusly the major owners of Hulu were Fox, Disney and Comcast. With the acquisition, Disney is taking over Fox's share, giving Disney the major share. But Comcast doesn't have to just take that situation and accept it. From the article:
"Comcast may claim Hulu's 12 million-plus subscribers belong equally to it, since its content and investment dollars helped generate that audience, or at least a third of it. The cable company could ask the Justice Department to review the acquisition and force a sale of Hulu."
In the end this could just be the end of Hulu.
https://www.recode.net/2017/12/14/16771712/hulu-disney-acquisition-fox-means-dis-foxa-21cf
DHagar
12/19/2017 5:03:21 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@elizabethv, thanks for the background! Yes, without question, Comcast may request that, but doubt that they would be able to "dissolve" Hulu - either from the perspective of the Disney shareholders and/or the Government, in that that would remove a competitor to Netflix and enable a truly dominant market.
elizabethv
12/20/2017 8:45:55 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@DHagar - Would that still be the case, even if Disney was planning on creating an OTT, and that was the reason for the disolution?
If nothing else I guess we'll all just have to watch and see what ends up happening.
DHagar
12/20/2017 5:23:17 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@elizabethv, good question and analysis! From my viewpoint the answer would still be yes, in that the result would still be consolidation and fewer choices and competition in the market.
That will be interesting to see what true goals Disney has - if this is approved.
Ariella
12/20/2017 9:16:37 AM
User Rank Author
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@DHagar and there will then be fewer choices for consumers who likely will end up having to pay more for their entertainment.
DHagar
12/20/2017 5:25:30 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@Ariella, that's my expectation as well. I believe this deal will be heavily scrutinized for its impact on the markets and consumer choice - especially in light of the recent view on net neutrality. We will have to see if the "light" footprint still holds or not.
elizabethv
12/26/2017 8:18:29 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@DHagar - I have to wonder if given the current administration and their action around net neutrality already signals that it will actually be allowed. Regulations are being cut all over the place, and it was widely known that the popular opinion on net neutrality was that it remain in place. Still it passed. They don't seem overly concerned with the opinions of the people.
DHagar
12/27/2017 5:57:05 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@elizabethv, very true! The priority focus is in "enabling" companies to move into markets and gain advantage to increase sales. That is good if it occurs in balance with long-term sustainability. If it results in short-term gains that defeat the long-term sustainability, not so much.
elizabethv
12/28/2017 9:23:28 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@DHagar - I have to hope that a decrease in regulations would create a bigger market. I am certainly skeptical, but I have to hope. It has to come to some good. It's the only way I can keep from losing my mind over the whole thing.
DHagar
12/28/2017 6:06:39 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: This is Terrible for Movie Lovers
@elizabethv, good thoughts! Absolutely, there are good things that develop from the private "unencumbered" markets. So I am with you on that. When the markets respond to the consumers we all win! And we are probably realizing a rebalancing of those interests. So positive results can definitely be the case!
Note: It is only when the markets become dominated and controlled by a major player that we lose - but that is only temporary - it eventially becomes corrected.
So look forward to 2018!
srufolo1
12/15/2017 4:53:34 PM
User Rank Platinum
Caption Contest
I'm all for this Disney move. It's about competition, and Amazon and Netflix sure can use some of that.
faryl
12/16/2017 6:14:38 PM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Caption Contest
It seems like this discourages competition to me.
The fewer players that own/license content, the easier it is for them to control what content is available & what the licensing terms are.
(That’s just my initial reaction, my mind could be swayed on that though!)
Ariella
12/17/2017 4:03:49 PM
User Rank Author
Re: Caption Contest
<It seems like this discourages competition to me. > @faryl I agree. I would be concerned about al this consolidation leading to a lack of real choice for consumers.
elizabethv
12/18/2017 8:24:44 AM
User Rank Platinum
Disney
Except that Disney already has a loose partnership with Netflix. And I would imagine the agreement can't just be reneged on, at least not without some penalty. That I'm sure Disney can afford to pay at least financially, and I doubt they would lose much in the court of public opinion. But I still don't foresee them doing so.
afwriter
12/18/2017 11:27:48 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Disney
@Eliabethv Disney has already announced that they will not renew and contracts with Netflix since they are starting their own streaming service. Their current contract runs through the end of 2019.
elizabethv
12/19/2017 9:10:36 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Disney
@afwriter - I guess we'll see how that works out. I hadn't heard about them doing that, but just looked it up. Apparently it will be a Disney/ESPN OTT. That combination could prove promising, especially if they were able to come up with some kind of live sports streaming - which is really the big ticket item currently missing from the Amazon/Netflix/Hulu trifecta.
afwriter
12/19/2017 10:44:50 AM
User Rank Platinum
Re: Disney
@Elizabethv my overall worry about this is that they are going to acquire all of this content and then charge outrageous prices for their OTT service for one reason...because they can.
Shaunn
12/19/2017 11:27:40 AM
User Rank Platinum
Changing Media Landscape
Streaming has definitly changed the landscape of media. Major corporations have to make some major changes to keep up; something like this hasn't happened since the internet went big.
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