The Journey to Disney : Who Owed Fox Before Disney Acquired It?

Many are familiar with Disney as the streaming service that has become a major player in the entertainment industry. But did you know that Disney didn’t initially exist as a standalone streaming service? It was the result of a complex series of acquisitions and mergers, ultimately leading to Disney taking control of the streaming assets. In this article, we'll delve into the history of Fox's entertainment assets and the path that led Disney to acquire 21st Century Fox and eventually create Disney .

Initial Owners of Fox Entertainment

At the heart of the story is 21st Century Fox, often referred to simply as Fox. For many years, Fox's entertainment assets were part of a larger corporate entity known as News Corporation, created by Australian-American media tycoon Rupert Murdoch in 1985. Fox Entertainment, which included television networks, film studios, and cable networks, was a significant part of this corporation.

Pivotal Acquisitions Along the Way

However, the journey to Disney wasn’t straightforward or quick. In 2013, News Corporation announced the split of the company into two: News Corporation and 21st Century Fox. The former focused on the global print and broadcast media, while the latter took control of the film, television, and cable assets. This was a major milestone, laying the groundwork for future developments in the entertainment industry.

Disney's Strategic Move with 21st Century Fox

The turning point came in 2017 when Disney announced its intention to purchase 21st Century Fox for a staggering $52.4 billion. This acquisition would grant Disney a huge trove of assets including the film studio, television channels, and significant streaming rights. One of the key assets was the streaming platform Hulu, which Disney substantially increased its stake in and eventually sold for $7.1 billion to help fund the 21st Century Fox deal.

From Hulu to BAMTech Media

However, Disney didn’t just buy 21st Century Fox outright. A crucial part of the deal involved BAMTech Media, a subsidiary of MLB Advanced Media. Disney acquired BAMTech for $1 billion from MLB Advanced Media in 2016. BAMTech's expertise in building and operating live streaming, on-demand, and interactive video platforms made it a valuable asset for Disney’s streaming ambitions.

Building the Foundation for Disney

With these acquisitions, Disney was better equipped to launch a streaming service of its own. The company used the technology and expertise from BAMTech to build a robust platform that could handle its vast library of content and the growing demand for streaming services. Disney integrated Hulu and BAMTech to create the infrastructure necessary for a major streaming service like Disney .

The Launch of Disney

The culmination of this journey was the launch of Disney in November 2019. Disney was designed not only to showcase Disney’s extensive film and television catalog but also to provide a centralized streaming service for all of its properties, including Marvel, Lucasfilm, and National Geographic. The launch was a huge success, with Disney becoming one of the most popular streaming services in the market.

Legacy and Impact

The legacy of 21st Century Fox laid the groundwork for Disney’s dominance in the streaming market. Disney has become a major player in the streaming industry, with its extensive library of content and strategic acquisitions driving its success. The journey from 21st Century Fox to Disney showcases the strategic moves and technological advancements that have shaped the modern streaming landscape.

Conclusion

The story of who owned Fox before Disney acquired it is a tale of strategic acquisitions, technological advancements, and the building of a streaming ecosystem. Disney is just one of many outcomes of this intricate path. As the streaming market continues to evolve, the insights gained from this journey will undoubtedly influence future strategies in the industry.