The Walt Disney Company reorganises its international business before 21st Century Fox acquisition, restructures executives leading its global divisions.

The Walt Disney Company is reorganising its international business before its acquisition of 21st Century Fox as it restructures the executives who will be leading the Disney and Fox global divisions, with Rebecca Campbell, president of The Walt Disney Company for the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, who will stay put in her position.

Rebecca Campbell adds Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to her responsibilities.

Elsewhere Diego Lerner, currently Disney's Latin America president will stay put as well, while Uday Shankar, currently 21st Century Fox president for Asia and chairperson of and CEO of Star Indian will become the Asia Pacific boss.

Joining Rebecca Campbell's Walt Disney EMEA leadership team is Jan Koeppen, currently president of Fox Networks Group Europe and Africa, who will serve as president of TV and direct-to-consumer at Disney EMEA and who will report to Rebecca Campbell.

"The planned restructuring of our business units outside of the United States will result in a stronger, more agile organization, one that is better able to pivot and capitalize on the many opportunities present in today's fast-changing and increasingly complex global marketplace," says Kevin Mayer, chairperson of The Walt Disney Company's direct-to-consumer & international segment.

"Once the acquisition is complete, all three regions will be led by exceptional, highly experienced executives who will combine the 'best of the best' talent from both organisations."

"This new structure and the outstanding leadership team we've put in place are clear demonstrations of our strong commitment to integrating operations and thoughtfully executing our strategic priorities around the globe."

Comcast pulls the rug out from under 21st Century Fox for Sky with the higher bid for the British pay-TV operator.

The American pay-TV operator Comcast has pulled the rug out from under Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox to take over Sky by putting in the higher bid in a so-called blind auction on Saturday in the heated competition between the two for the British pay-TV operator Sky, the United Kingdom's Takeover Panel said on Saturday.

Comcast is now offering £17.28 per share for Sky ($40 billion), compared to Fox’s bid of £15.67 per share - 10% more - meaning that Comcast's bid values Sky at £29.7-billion.

Comcast's higher bid for Sky in the take-over race that it entered in February, makes it very likely that Comcast will become the new owner of Sky in the American pay-TV operator's global expansion, pending shareholder approval.

It's also a massive blow and setback for the Murdock family with Rupert Murdock who has tried to get control of all of Sky for close to the past decade.

Sky that has 31 000 employees and around 23 million subscribers in the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Switzerland.

Sky has a very strong pay-TV offering tied into distribution and content deals with American TV brands like HBO and Showtime, a ramped up production slate of premium local series it sells internationally, licensing agreements for a collection of the best premium sports rights like the English Premier League (EPL) for another 3 years, and a tie-in agreement with the global streaming giant Netflix.

Interestingly South Africa's MultiChoice - that will be spun-off in the first half of 2019 from parent Naspers - has been closely emulating Sky's operations and services offering the past decade across Africa through its DStv, M-Net and SuperSport brands.

While Comcast that owns NBCUniversal has a large NBCUniversal International Networks office in Central London, Comcast has promised to keep Sky's corporate headquarters at its Osterley campus in West-London.

"This is a great day for Comcast," says Brian Roberts, Comcast CEO in a statement.

"Sky is a wonderful company with a great platform, tremendous brand, and accomplished management team. This acquisition will allow us to quickly, efficiently and meaningfully increase our customer base and expand internationally. We couldn't be more excited by the opportunities in front of us."

Jeremy Darroch, Sky group executive in a statement says "This is the beginning of the next exciting chapter for Sky".

"Brian and his team have built a great business and we are looking forward to bringing our two companies together for the benefit of our customers and colleagues. As part of a broader Comcast we believe we will be able to continue to grow and strengthen our position as Europe’s leading direct to consumer media company."

"Today’s outcome is down to the hard work of tens of thousands of people who have built and developed this business together over the last 30 years. Sky has never stood still, and with Comcast our momentum will only increase."

Martin Gilbert, chairperson of the independent committee of Sky, says "We consider the Comcast offer to be an excellent outcome for Sky shareholders, and we are recommending it as it represents materially superior value."

"We are focused on drawing this process to a successful and swift close and therefore urge shareholders to accept the recommended Comcast offer."

"On behalf of the independent committee of Sky, I wish to congratulate everyone at Sky on creating such a successful company that has attracted strategic interest from one of the world’s greatest media companies."

21st Century Fox in a statement only says "Sky is a remarkable story and we are proud to have played such a significant role in building the incredible value reflected today in Comcast’s offer".

Star Networks launches the Indian-fusion Star Life channel on DStv and Openview with Bollywood content as new competitor for GLOW and ZEE TV in Africa.

Despite a crowded TV channels field already offering similar content, Star India will launch Star Life on MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv, as well as eMedia Investment's Openview free-to-air satellite-TV service, on 27 August as a new Bollywood content channel.

Star Life, from Star Networks that is wholly-owned by 21st Century Fox, will compete with channels like GLOW and ZEE TV's existing offering of impressive ZEE Africa TV channels like Zee World and Zee Bollymovies.

Star Network didn't bother to say why or how Star Life would be different than existing competitors and what it would specifically offer viewers and Star Life didn't reveal any of the actual content, on-air talent or any titles that would actually be seen on the channel.

No channel schedule was shared, with no show or film highlights mentioned, but Star Life will be in English, and will run for 24 hours per day.

Star Networks apparently created Star Life exclusively for African audiences.

The Star Life channel looks as if it originated out of the Star Life OK channel that used to be available in South Africa for a while before it was removed, and last year relaunched and rebranded under the Star Bharat name in India.

Star Life will be a high definition channel on DStv in South Africa on channel 167 but standard definition elsewhere in Africa, and will be "showcasing a fusion of the very best family dramas, celebrity dance shows and blockbuster movies from Star's famed library of A-list Bollywood movies, adapted in English for local audiences".

Star Networks says "Star Life is appealing to a broader audience and brings to Africa extraordinary journeys of ordinary people, progressive story lines, inspirational characters and compelling dramas - produced to the highest international production standards".

Guarav Jandwani, the senior vice president and business head for the United Kingdom and South Africa for Star Network in a prepared statement says "At Star we believe in creating stories for the world, stimulating imagination and showcasing the limitless power of ordinary people".

"We have seen the need for quality Indian cross-over entertainment and with Star Life we are proud to bring to Africa engaging programming, in English, which will leave our viewers inspired, rejuvenated, moved and delighted."

"We are delighted to partner with DStv and Openview, the best platforms in the region, making Star Life the most widely available channel in its genre in Southern Africa".

Walt Disney agrees to buy Sky News and to keep it running under that name for at least 15 years so that 21st Century Fox can acquire the rest of the British pay-TV operator Sky.

The Walt Disney Company has agreed to buy Sky News (DStv 402) and to keep the British TV news channel funded for at least 15 years to tot tune of over $2 billion during that period, so that 21st Century Fox can possibly acquire the rest of the British pay-TV operator Sky that it doesn't own yet.

21st Century Fox already owns 39% of Sky, but can't get the rest if the loss-making Sky News isn't offloaded to prevent Fox from owning too much news outlets in the United Kingdom.

Britain's culture secretary Matt Hancock on Tuesday revealed that Walt Disney in principle had undertaken to buy Sky News. Now the British government has to decide whether it will clear 21st Century Fox' application to buy Sky.

Disney has undertook to maintain Sky News as the Sky News brand for at least 15 years if it scoops it up an increase in the total money Disney would plough into Sky News of at least £100 million ($132 million) per year, with operating costs protected in real terms", as well as a commitment from Disney to protect the editorial independence of Sky News.

Matt Hancock said he "In my view, these revised undertakings meet the criteria that I set out to the House on 5 June and will help to ensure that Sky News remains financially viable over the long-term; is able to operate as a major United Kingdom based news provider; and is able to take its editorial decisions independently, free from any potential outside influence."

21st Century in a statement on Tuesday said it "welcomes today's announcement by the secretary that he intends to accept the final undertakings proposed by 21st Century Fox and The Walt Disney Company with a view to clearing 21st Century Fox's proposed acquisition of the remaining shares in Sky on media plurality grounds. The undertakings are now subject to a 15-day public consultation".

Sky in a statement on Tuesday said "the independent directors of Sky are mindful of their fiduciary duties and remain focused on maximizing value for Sky shareholders. A further announcement will be made as and when appropriate."

FOX Networks Group's offices in West-London, as well as across Europe, raided by European Commission investigators.

The offices of the FOX Networks Group (FNG) in West-London in the United Kingdom, as well as across Europe, was raided by investigators from the European Commission on Tuesday who seized computers and documents and who will remain on the premises on Wednesday and Thursday.

The FOX Networks Group is the TV channels distributor business from 21st Century Fox.

The FOX Networks Group supplies TV channels like FOX, FOX Life, National Geographic, the FOX Sports channels and a range of others to pay-TV operators worldwide, as well as in Africa and South Africa like MultiChoice's DStv, China's StarTimes and StarSat, and Cell C's subscription video-on-demand service, Cell C black.

The European Commission in a statement said that the raid was carried out due to "concerns that the companies involved may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices".

The European Commission said the raids in London and across Europe at FNG offices are an early step into "suspected anti-competitive practices" and that FOX "may have violated EU antitrust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices".

21st Century Fox in a statement says the "FOX Networks Group is cooperating fully with the EC inspection".

In its statement the European Commission says it "can confirm that on 10 April 2018 its officials carried out unannounced inspections in several member states at the premises of companies active in the distribution of media rights and related rights pertaining to various sports events and/or their broadcasting".

"The Commission has concerns that the companies involved may have violated EU anti-trust rules that prohibit cartels and restrictive business practices. The Commission officials were accompanied by their counterparts from the relevant national competition authorities. Unannounced inspections are a preliminary step into suspected anti-competitive practices."

Sky News, 21st Century Fox and Disney are now all fine if Disney buys Sky News from the British pay-TV operator Sky - while Comcast wants all of Sky for itself.

Sky News and 21st Century Fox are now both fine with the idea of The Walt Disney Company buying Sky News (DStv 402) from Sky in the United Kingdom - if this makes the deal possible for 21st Century Fox to do a buy-out take-over transaction of the rest of the Sky satellite pay-TV platform without the news channel.

The current problem of 21st Century Fox doing a take-over of Sky in the United Kingdom, revolves around whether if would lessen media plurality in the UK too much of 21st Century Fox that owns several British newspapers, also gets its hands on Sky News.

And if this isn't too complex already - there is also Disney that's waiting for regulatory approval to take over ... parts of 21st Century Fox.

In February 21st Century Fox that still wanted all of Sky, said it would put up "firewalls" to prevent Fox meddling in Sky News, and that it will guarantee to continue to keep the loss-making Sky News on the air for at least 5 years after a Sky take-over.

Now 21st Century Fox has amended its offer again in its desire to acquire the rest of Sky.

In the latest filing submitted to the Competition and Markets Authority in the United Kingdom and published on Tuesday, Fox now says Disney could buy Sky News which would leave 21st Century Fox with the rest of Sky.

"The Walt Disney Company has expressed an interest in acquiring Sky News, with a view to adding it to Disney's existing portfolio of television channels, whether or not Disney’s proposed acquisition of 21 Century Fox proceeds" says Fox.

Fox is also keeping its other option on the table and has sweetened that deal further, increasing its guarantee to fund Sky News as a firewalled entity for 15 years.

Disney issued its own statement supporting 21st Century Fox's idea of selling Sky News to Disney.

"If the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport agrees, and Fox acquires Sky, Disney would buy Sky News and agree to sustain the operating capital of Sky News and maintain its editorial independence. The divestment of Sky News to Disney is separate from, and not conditional on, Disney’s acquisition of Fox," says Disney.

Meanwhile America's big pay-TV behemoth, Comcast, is also after Sky.

Meanwhile Sky also issued a press statement on Tuesday, also welcoming the 21st Century Fox plan.

"Sky believes that both of these remedy proposals comprehensively address any plurality concerns the Competition and Markets Authority may have, and would guarantee the long-term future of Sky News and its ongoing editorial independence."

"As the regulatory process remains ongoing, shareholders are advised to take no action at this stage," said Sky.

21st Century Fox that still wants all of Sky, says it would put up 'firewalls' to prevent Fox meddling in Sky News and would continue to keep the loss-making Sky News on the air for at least 5 years after a Sky takeover.

21st Century Fox continues to work towards trying to acquire Sky News (DStv 402) and is offering up more guarantees to try and secure backing for its takeover of Britain's pay-TV operator Sky, including "firewall" guarantees and saying that it would continue to keep the loss-making Sky News on the air for at least 5 years after a takeover.

Britain's competition regulator in January ruled that Fox' plan to buy the 61% of Sky that it doesn't yet own, should be blocked and prevented.

Interestingly Sky has told the regulator that if it blocks the Fox deal, Sky might shut down Sky News completely because it's loss-making anyway and no longer an important part of Sky's future going forward.

"The combined effect of the Proposed Firewall Remedies is that there could be no circumstances in which, post-transaction, the MFT (Murdoch family trust) or members of the Murdoch family could influence, whether directly or indirectly, the editorial line or policy of Sky News," says 21st Century Fox.

It suggested the possibility of creating a fully independent board to oversee Sky News, including the appointment of the head of Sky News who would be"sole responsibility for setting editorial strategy and direction for Sky News’ digital, television and radio output, including the appointment and dismissal of senior Sky News employees".

Fox also promised that it would keep the loss-making Sky News around for at least 5 years if it took over Sky, and keep investing in it.

Fox says "no Fox employee or member of the board would "influence or attempt to influence" editorial choices at Sky News.

5 000 to 10 000 staffers likely getting fired after Disney buys the bulk of 21st Century Fox.

Between 5 000 to 10 000 people could be losing their jobs and get fired in the Disney deal to buy 21st Century Fox.

Disney will streamline and cut down on duplication of operations in all areas of its global business, including distribution, marketing and its international divisions where Disney and Fox have a dual presence.

The BTIG analyst Rich Greenfield, says between 5 000 to 10 000 people could be fired.

In his new market advisory report entitled "Disney’s $2 Billion in Synergies is Good for Jobs #FakeNews" he says the cost saving is very likely coming from job cuts.

"Disney expects over $2 billion in synergies from the Fox acquisition, with the overwhelming majority of that from cost-savings – meaning job cuts".

"In order to reduce costs by upwards of $2 billion, we believe Disney will need to cut well-over 5 000 jobs and the number could easily swell toward 10 000 given the high degree of overlap between the two companies around the world".

With The Walt Disney Company and FOX Networks Group Africa (FNG Africa) both having a growing presence in South Africa and Africa, it's not yet clear exactly how the mega-corporate deal will be affecting staffers and operations in South Africa and across the African continent.

Disney buys majority of 21 Century Fox in historic $52.4 billion deal that will not just reshape Hollywood but also the TV and content production landscape internationally including Africa and South Africa.

On Thursday morning the expected announcement was made that The Mouse House has taken over the Fox Hole when The Walt Disney Company said that it's buying the majority of 21st Century Fox in a historic entertainment biz deal that will have not just massive ramifications for Hollywood but a rippling effect internationally and that will also impact content and TV channels as seen in Africa and South Africa.

The Disney-Fox deal will change Hollywood and the content production and distribution landscape internationally forever.

Disney is doing it so that it can start its own, well-populated subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service that would be able to successfully compete against the growing global dominance of Netflix.

In an memo to Fox staffers, Fox boss Rupert Murdoch hinted at possible firings, saying "we are deeply committed to finding opportunities for our people as well as ensuring that anyone impacted is well taken care of".

Fearful Foxers globally are scared and dismayed, apprehensive about the potential firing of staffers since there's huge global overlap and duplication in terms of the distribution, marketing and international divisions between Disney and Fox - with Disney topping Fox in all areas.

In the deal worth $52.4 billion, Disney will gain control of Fox Networks Group International and its 350 TV channels ran globally in 170 countries.

Several of these channels are seen in Africa and South Africa on several pay-TV services ranging from MultiChoice's DStv, StarSat operated by China's StarTimes Media SA and On Digital Media (ODM), as well as Cell C's new video streaming service, black, and on StarTimes elsewhere in Africa and pay-TV operators like Zuku.

Disney in the deal is also taking over what will amount to a seismic shift in Hollywood's content business.

Diseny takes over Fox's 20th Century Fox movie studio (Avatar, The X-Men, Fantastic Four, Deadpool) and the Fox Searchlight Pictures and Fox 2000 film studios.

Disney also gets Fox's TV production studios called 20th Century Fox Television and FX Productions that produces shows for both the FOX channel like The Simpsons but also for other channels like This is Us, Homeland and Modern Family seen on M-Net (DStv 101).

Disney also gets the pay-TV channels like National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD through taking over National Geographic Partners - something that quickly became evident during early negotiations, but also all of the FX channels, and the 39% stake in the Sky pay-TV operator in the United Kingdom and Europe.

Disney also takes over Star India that operates 69 channels reaching 720 million viewers a month across India and more than 100 other countries, with some of the Star pay-TV channels that are also being distributed in South Africa and Africa.

Disney also takes over the international Endemol Shine Group that also operates in Africa and South Africa and Endemol Shine Africa that produces shows ranging from Isidingo on SABC3 to My Kitchen Rules South Africa on M-Net (DStv 101).

In relation to South Africa and Africa, Disney gets things like the nascent production unit, FOX Networks Group Original Productions, that the FOX Networks Group Africa headquartered in Johannesburg for instance conceptualised last year and got off the ground just this year.

Disney will also gain a majority share in Hulu since it will be taking over Fox's 30% share and added to its own existing 30% gets a 60% controlling stake in the American streaming service.

Fox will keep the FOX broadcasting channel in America (but in America only), the FOX News Channel, the FOX Business Channel and the FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2 channels.

It creates the very awkward situation where, although the FOX channel in America belongs to Fox, the FOX channel as seen on DStv and StarSat and FOX and FOX+ on Cell C, will actually belong to Disney that already runs its own set of channels in South Africa and Africa.

In a statement released by The Walt Disney Company, Robert Iger, Disney chairperson and CEO confirmed that Disney is acquiring National Geographic Partners and FOX Networks Group International.

"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."

"Bringing on board 21st Century Fox's entertainment content and capabilities, along with its broad international footprint and a world-class team of managers and storytellers, will allow Disney to further its efforts to provide a more compelling entertainment experience through its direct-to-consumer offerings".

"The agreement also provides Disney with the opportunity to reunite The X-Men, Fantastic Four and Deadpool with the Marvel family under one roof and create richer, more complex worlds of inter-related characters and stories that audiences have shown they love."

"Through the incredible storytelling of National Geographic - whose mission is to explore and protect our planet and inspire new generations through education initiatives and resources—Disney will be able to offer more ways than ever before to bring kids and families the world and all that is in it."

Disney says the Fox assets acquisition is expected to yield at least $2 billion in cost savings "from efficiencies realized through the combination of businesses".

In a 1998 episode of Fox's The Simpsons entitled "When You Dish Upon a Star", the show predicted that Disney would one day buy 20th Century Fox and would become "a division of Walt Disney Co."

FOX Networks Group set to lose National Geographic channels if Disney and 21st Century Fox deal goes through.

Reporting from America is that The Walt Company and 21st Century Fox are in negotiations about the possible sale of several of 21st Century Fox's assets to Disney, including its movie studios, stake in the United Kingdom's Sky - but also some of its pay-TV channels like FX and National Geographic.

What it means is that if the deal goes through - with reports saying it could happen as soon as early next week - Fox's international business, the FOX Networks Group - will lose the National Geographic channels like National Geographic and Nat Geo WILD that will become the property of Disney.

The National Geographic Channels group is headed by Courteney Monroe, with Fox that currently owns most of the joint venture with the National Geographic Society.

21st Century Fox just want to keep the FOX channel, as well as its news and business channels, FOX News and FOX Business News, that generates the most revenue, as well as FOX Sports.

Besides the National Geographic channels, Disney would also get Fox's film and television production studios (including Blue Sky Studios, FX Productions and Fox Searchlight) and FX Networks.

Disney would also get Fox's 30% stake in the American streaming service Hulu (giving it majority control when this 30% is added to Disney's existing 30%).

In terms of film studios, Fox owns and produces film franchises like The X-Men, Deadpool and Fantastic Four, and co-produces and distributes film franchises like Ridley Scott’s Alien prequels, James Cameron’s Avatar and its sequels, Planet of the Apes, Kingsman and Maze Runner.

All of this will become Disney's.

Fox and the FOX Networks Group will keep its FOX channel (because 21st Century Fox doesn't and can't sell it - Disney already owns a broadcast TV network in the form of ABC and can't own another, and FOX is too lucrative for Fox to sell.)

Yet, if the deal goes through, Disney will become the new owner of a lot of the shows that is on FOX because it will own the studio company (20th Century Fox Television) that produces, co-produces or distributes many of the TV shows and series made for FOX.

This include shows seen on FOX in South Africa and in Africa on MultiChoice's DStv and StarSat like Empire, The Simpsons, Legion, American Horror Story, American Crime Story, Bob’s Burgers and The Exorcist, as well as some shows that appear on other channels like This Is Us and Modern Family on M-Net (DStv 101).

There's also shows like The Gifted and The Orville from Fox that's not been picked up and shown yet on South African television.

Then Fox will also offload its share to Disney in things like its stake in India's Star group, a 50% stake in the global production company Endemol Shine Group, and its interest in the Sky pay-TV service in the United Kingdom.

National Geographic starts firing staff after take-over deal with 21st Century Fox, now giving Fox control over all of National Geographic's media brands.

Hundreds of National Geographic workers got fired on Tuesday after they were only warned in an enigmatic email to make sure they're at their email or phone on Tuesday.

It follows the announcement in September that 21st Century Fox is taking over National Geographic, turning the non-profit organisation in a for-profit venture owned 73% by Fox, and known as National Geographic Partners.

Fired staff include National Geographic Channel TV executives, National Geographic Kids staff, photo editors and magazine staff. 

Fox now owns all of National Geographic's media brands - from its various TV channels from Nat Geo Gold, National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo Wild seen in South Africa on DStv and StarSat, to its publishing operations like the yellow-framed National Geographic magazine.

In an email on Tuesday Gary Knell, National Geographic Society CEO and president told staff, "Some of our colleagues will be leaving National Geographic over the next few days and, in some cases, weeks."

National Geographic is expected to fire about 10% of its 2 000 personnel due to the deal with 21st Century Fox.