21 Jun– Following Comcast Corp.'s renewed bid for 21st Century Fox last week, Walt Disney Co. has stepped back up with a higher offer. The updated Disney Merger Agreement now sees Disney offering to acquire Fox for USD71.3 billion in cash and stock, this includes a USD10 a share increase, amounting to USD38 a share for Fox stockholders. Disney previously made an all-stock USD52.4 billion offer back in December. Comcast had tried to beat the older bid by raising its own to an all-cash offer of USD65 billion last week but latest update reveals that Fox has agreed to the new Disney proposal, calling it "superior" to Comcast's. "We are extremely proud of the businesses we have built at 21st Century Fox, and firmly believe that this combination with Disney will unlock even more value for shareholders as the new Disney continues to set the pace at a dynamic time for our industry," said Rupert Murdoch, Executive Chairman of 21st Century Fox, in a press statement.
"We remain convinced that the combination of 21CF's iconic assets, brands and franchises with Disney's will create one of the greatest, most innovative companies in the world." Other details in the acquisition remain the same; Disney will acquire Twentieth Century Fox film and TV studio, as well as Fox's one-third stake in the streaming service Hulu, U.S. cable networks FX and regional sports channels, and international assets including Star India and Sky PLC. Fox will still have control over Fox Broadcasting Co., Fox Sports, Fox News, Fox Television Stations and several other assets that will be turned into a spinoff Fox company, which the 20th Century Fox lot in Century City will also be under. (Photo source: Disney)