Disney in talks to acquire FOX RSN's UPDATE 8/23 FOX may buy them back

[IU Hawks fan]

For several weeks now, rumors and reports have swirled concerning Disney’s potential purchase of 21st Century Fox broadcast assets, including several TV channels (but not FS1, Fox News, or the flagship Fox station). On Tuesday, CNBC’s David Faber reported that the sides are “closing in on a deal” and that Fox’s regional sports networks would, in fact, be included.

Fox owns and operates about 20 RSNs across the country, including numerous Fox-branded channels and the New York-based YES Network. These networks claim rights to dozens of MLB, NHL, and NBA teams, as well as local college sports and assorted other properties. Though the RSNs are reportedly quite profitable, John Ourand of Sports Business Journal reports that 21st Century Fox CEO Rupert Murdoch has been lukewarm on them for a while thanks to rising rights fees and declining revenues.

Disney reportedly in talks to acquire Fox Sports regional networks (but not FS1) in potential 21st Century Fox sale

Well, that's one way for ESPN to get some hockey back.

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[SavageSteve]

I really am unsure of how I feel about this... I really value the ability to stream Pred's games on the Fox Sports Go app when i have to take my kids to various extracurricular school activities, concerts, and waiting for halftime at basketball games to watch one of them perform... I guess its all about the devil in the details...

But I do relate this commercial a lot!!

 

[IU Hawks fan]

That ability wouldn't go away, you'd just be streaming on the ESPN app instead.

 

[JiggsNY]

This wouldn't affect coverage on national ESPN channels right? It's not like Fox or FS1/ FS2 channels cover hockey despite having regional rights. Maybe just make ESPN more likely to go after the national rights in a few years.

 

[Fenway]

I have to assume this would also include the YES Network in New York which FOX owns 80% of.

 

[cutchemist42]

Is this part of the deal for the movie properties as well?

 

[Rocko604]

Is this part of the deal for the movie properties as well?

Yes. The only things left standing will be Fox News, FS1, FS2 and whatever your local Fox affiliate channel, though who knows what would be airing on said channels with tv production going to Disney? There is also the possibility that every Fox-produced show could be cancelled if Disney doesn't want to deal them.

Everything Disney Would Own if it Really Did Buy 21st Century Fox

 

[tsanuri]

Is this part of the deal for the movie properties as well?

That's mostly what it's about. They really want the couple of marvel properties they don't have the rights to.
And who knows how the DOJ would come down on this. They could put a number of requirements for divestment in order to approve the deal.

 

[aqib]

That's mostly what it's about. They really want the couple of marvel properties they don't have the rights to.
And who knows how the DOJ would come down on this. They could put a number of requirements for divestment in order to approve the deal.

I really don't think the current DOJ is going to do much to stop this. The administration likes Fox.

 

[Vamos Rafa]

I always knew ESPN would want to enter the RSN business. I'm just surprised it took this long.

 

[Voight]

Weird they would sell the RSN's and keep the other sports assets.

Either way I wonder if this is a golden parachute type of thing. Murdoch isn't getting any younger and he may be looking to leave a nice piggy bank for his kids/grandkids.

 

[Butch 19]

I always knew ESPN would want to enter the RSN business. I'm just surprised it took this long.

Disney (ESPN) sees RSNs as a shiny new toy, that they will discard after a while...

I do not want ESPN anywhere near the NHL.

 

[SCBlueLiner]

I echo that. I don't want ESPN anywhere near the RSNs or the NHL.

 

[cutchemist42]

Sounds like this might be announced within days if rumours are true...

 

[Svechhammer]

That ability wouldn't go away, you'd just be streaming on the ESPN app instead.

First of all, WatchESPN was absolute garbage during the college football season this year. They just couldn't handle the bandwidth on Saturdays, so this wouldn't exactly be a good thing.

Secondly, it would be very tricky to see what ESPN would do knowing Center Ice is out there. I wouldn't be surprised to see them eliminate the streaming capabilities of RSN in order to force customers to pay for that privilege.

 

[rent free]

does this mean the mighty ducks are back?

 

[NSH615]

Disney (ESPN) sees RSNs as a shiny new toy, that they will discard after a while...

I do not want ESPN anywhere near the NHL.

There is no way it could be any worse than this garbage NBC is trying to sell.

 

[TimPeel]

If Disney buys RSN be prepared to be overwhelmed by a variety of social 'justice' issues. If any company can make me hate the sport I love it is Disney and their ESPN degenerates.

 

[LadyStanley]

There's been some concern (think FCC) about combining too many assets in sale. Big things that was against the sale included national TV Channels like news. (It's come up on NBR, but don't have any links at the moment, and won't for hours.)

 

[adsfan]

I echo that. I don't want ESPN anywhere near the RSNs or the NHL.

My RSN shows the Wild. It is 320 miles from Milwaukee to St Paul. It is 90 miles to Chicago. How does that make any sense? BTW, I am a Preds fan as they are the parent team of the Milwaukee Admirals and have been since 1998. Gee, I wonder why the ratings are so low here? Stupidity reigns!

 

[Fenway]

My RSN shows the Wild. It is 320 miles from Milwaukee to St Paul. It is 90 miles to Chicago. How does that make any sense? BTW, I am a Preds fan as they are the parent team of the Milwaukee Admirals and have been since 1998. Gee, I wonder why the ratings are so low here? Stupidity reigns!

No logistics.

Blackhawks are shown on NBC Sports Chicago which is not offered in the Milwaukee market except for places like Racine and Kenosha. This is more to protect the Bucks and Brewers. FOX Sports Wisconsin is a spin off channel of FOX Sports North in Minnesota.

 

[tony d]

Interesting news, could be a way for ESPN for regain some of its lost lustre.

 

[BattleBorn]

Interesting news, could be a way for ESPN for regain some of its lost lustre.

Or rebrand the regionals to something other than ESPN to get the revenue without the supposed brand tarnish.

 

[Fenway]

Historic Hollywood merger: Disney to buy 21st Century Fox assets for $52.4 billion

Disney is betting on an ambitious purchase of a sizable chunk of 21st Century Fox, hoping that more cable networks, production studios and other properties will buoy it into the future as it dives into the direct-to-consumer streaming distribution business with sports and entertainment services planned to launch in 2018 and 2019, respectively. To feed those new pipelines, Disney is expanding its content production infrastructure with the acquisition of 20th Century Fox, a cable group that includes FX Networks, National Geographic and 300-plus international channels, and 22 regional sports networks. Also included is Fox’s 30% stake in Hulu, 50% share of Endemol Shine Group, the Star India satellite service, and Fox’s 39% interest in Euro satellite broadcaster Sky.

Staying with 21st Century Fox is the Fox broadcast network and its 28 TV stations, the Fox News and Fox Business channels, and the national Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 networks.

 

[cutchemist42]

I really find it interesting.....1st time a major studio bought another major. Who would have ever seen this happening 10 years ago...