Disney to acquire most of Rupert Murdoch's Fox for $52.4 billion

The Walt Disney Company and Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (21st 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 (Rs, 3.35 lakh crore approx) in stock (subject to adjustment).

Left to Right: Bob Iger and Rupert Murdoch

"Building on Disney's commitment to deliver the highest quality branded entertainment, the acquisition of these complementary assets would allow Disney to create more appealing content, build more direct relationships with consumers around the world and deliver a more compelling entertainment experience to consumers wherever and however they choose," said the statement released by the California-based media conglomerate.

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.

Highlights of the acquisition as published on Disney's official note

•Acquisition complements and enhances The Walt Disney Company's ability to provide consumers around the world with more appealing content and entertainment options

• Transaction to include 21st Century Fox's film and television studios, cable entertainment networks and international TV businesses

Popular entertainment properties including X-Men, Avatar, The Simpsons, FX Networks and National Geographic to join Disney's portfolio

• Expands Disney's direct-to-consumer offerings with addition of 21st Century Fox's entertainment content, capabilities in the Americas, Europe and Asia; Hulu stake becomes a controlling interest

• Addition of extensive international properties, including Star in India and Fox's 39 per cent ownership of Sky across Europe, enhances Disney's position as a truly global entertainment company with world-class offerings in key regions

• Robert A. Iger to remain Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company through 2021

Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of 21st Century Fox will receive 0.2745 Disney shares for each 21st Century Fox share they hold (subject to adjustment for certain tax liabilities as described below). The exchange ratio was set based on a 30-day volume-weighted average price of Disney stock. Disney will also assume approximately $13.7 billion of net debt of 21st Century Fox. The acquisition price implies a total equity value of approximately $52.4 billion and a total transaction value of approximately $66.1 billion (in each case, based on the stated exchange ratio assuming no adjustment) for the business to be acquired by Disney, which includes consolidated assets along with a number of equity investments.

Popular Entertainment Properties to Join Disney Family

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 Deadpool 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.

"The acquisition of this stellar collection of businesses from 21st Century Fox reflects the increasing consumer demand for a rich diversity of entertainment experiences that are more compelling, accessible and convenient than ever before," said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company.

"We're honoured and grateful that Rupert Murdoch has entrusted us with the future of businesses he spent a lifetime building and we're excited about this extraordinary opportunity to significantly increase our portfolio of well-loved franchises and branded content to greatly enhance our growing direct-to-consumer offerings. The deal will also substantially expand our international reach, allowing us to offer world-class storytelling and innovative distribution platforms to more consumers in key markets around the world," the chairman adds.

"We are extremely proud of all that we have built at 21st Century Fox and I firmly believe that this combination with Disney will unlock even more value for shareholders as the new Disney continues to set the pace in what is an exciting and dynamic industry," said Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox. "Furthermore, I'm convinced that this combination, under Bob Iger's leadership, will be one of the greatest companies in the world. I'm grateful and encouraged that Bob has agreed to stay on and is committed to succeeding with a combined team that is second to none," adds the octogenarian media mogul.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and 21st Century Fox have approved the transaction, which is subject to shareholder approval by 21st Century Fox and Disney shareholders, clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, a number of other non-United States mergers and other regulatory reviews, and other customary closing conditions.