Companies owned by 20th Century Fox: An overview of their subsidiaries
In a historic move, The Walt Disney Company acquired 21st Century Fox's media assets for $71.3 billion in 2019, marking one of the largest media mergers in history. This deal brought iconic film and TV franchises under Disney's umbrella, transforming the landscape of the entertainment industry.
Before the acquisition, 20th Century Studios, previously known as 20th Century Fox, held key franchises like Avatar, X-Men, and the original Star Wars trilogy. Affiliates under Fox included Blue Sky Studios, responsible for the successful Ice Age series, and Fox Searchlight Pictures, known for its Oscar-winning films.
The deal augmented Disney's global reach, with Sky, a dominant television and broadband provider in Europe, and Fox's news, sports, and broadcast businesses, including Fox News, Fox Sports, and the Fox television network, now under Fox Corporation's control.
With the acquisition, Disney absorbed a significant portion of 21st Century Fox, encompassing various film and television studios, international networks, and a 30% stake in Hulu. As a result, 20th Century Fox Television, responsible for acclaimed shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and American Horror Story, was renamed 20th Television. Fox 21 Television Studios became Touchstone Television to avoid brand confusion with Fox Corporation.
The integration of these studios, along with FX Networks, National Geographic, and others, saw Disney's intellectual property portfolio expand significantly. The company has since focused on using these assets across its streaming platforms and theatrical releases, with the Fantastic Four film, previously under Fox's banner, recently having a strong box office showing post-acquisition.
Disney continues to expand on live TV and sports streaming via related acquisitions, such as a controlling stake in Fubo, merging it with Hulu + Live TV. This move consolidates Disney's hold on streaming markets, though it is distinct from the Fox legacy assets themselves.
Meanwhile, Star India, a cornerstone in broadcasting, reaches a diverse audience with its multitude of channels and Tata Sky, a leading direct broadcast satellite television provider in India. Fox News remains a pivotal player in the United States' opinion media landscape.
In summary, 20th Century Fox's media assets now operate as part of Disney's broader entertainment divisions under new names, fully integrated into Disney's strategy to dominate global media and streaming. The landscape of the entertainment industry continues to evolve as traditional companies like Disney, WarnerMedia (owned by AT&T), and NBCUniversal (after being acquired by Comcast) compete with streaming giants like Netflix, forcing more traditional companies to rethink their distribution models.
- Disney's strategic growth in the entertainment industry has expanded with the absorption of 21st Century Fox's media assets, including key franchises like Avatar, X-Men, and the original Star Wars trilogy, as well as film and television studios, international networks, and a 30% stake in Hulu.
- Integration of these assets has allowed Disney to amplify its portfolio, utilizing them across streaming platforms and theatrical releases, such as the recent strong box office showing of the Fantastic Four film post-acquisition.
- In the broader picture, Disney is not only competing with streaming giants like Netflix but also traditional companies like WarnerMedia (owned by AT&T) and NBCUniversal (after being acquired by Comcast) as the landscape of the entertainment industry continues to evolve with the increasing focus on live TV, sports streaming, and digital content distribution.
