Comcast Buys Dreamworks Animation for $3.8bn

[fryoj]

3 Billion, wow. Makes the 4 Billion for Lucasfilm seem like a bargin.

Yeah, I was thinking about that when I heard this. I mean Comcast would have had to jump at the chance if they could have got Lucas at $4 billion.

Could you imagine the blue skying for the third gate? Hell, a whole Star Wars park would have to be on the table.

 

[Macfr3ak]

It's hard to imagine a DreamWorks Animation without Katzenberg, who controls 60% of the company's voting stock. And it's unclear how DreamWorks and Illumination would be melded together. What is clear is the message to Disney: Watch out.

Shots definitely fired.

 

[quinnmac000]

Yeah, I was thinking about that when I heard this. I mean Comcast would have had to jump at the chance if they could have got Lucas at $4 billion.

Could you imagine the blue skying for the third gate? Hell, a whole Star Wars park would have to be on the table.

I doubt Universal could even get it even if they wanted to. Remember Lucas acted as if Disney could do no wrong back when they debuted Star Tours if any company was to get Lucasfilms it would be them...funny the company he used to have brag to Spielberg about would be the one to kick him out entirely from the studios. Just saying.

 

[bob albert]

Lots of IP choices for the third park. Some really good and some too old and not so good. ....3 Billion for the acquisition. That's also probably in the neighborhood of what a new park would cost.

Motiongate Dubai IP use doesn't look exactly first rate, but the attractions could be good in any case.

 

[JungleSkip]

Welp, it's official

 

[Brian G.]

Comcast to buy Dreamworks Animation for $41 a share

 

[quinnmac000]

Time to sell. Then.

 

[hishedale]

Wouldn't a Classic Cartoon ride be awesome?

 

[Macfr3ak]

Exciting times.... Exciting times indeed. Shots fired Disney... shots fired.

 

[Mad Dog]

Wow, they wanted that bad. That's an overpay. I would imagine the upcoming Charter acquisition of Warner Cable spurred this on. This gives Comcast a lot of content product to support their internet, cable, networks, theme parks etc.

 

[quinnmac000]

Wow, they wanted that bad. That's an overpay. I would imagine the upcoming Charter acquisition of Warner Cable spurred this on. This gives Comcast a lot of content product to support their internet, cable, networks, theme parks etc.

I don't think it was an overpay. Comcast knew what they were doing the moment they said they were pulling Jeffrey Katzenberg from DreamWorks animation and putting him as head of a new division call DreamWorks New Media (AwesomeTV and NOVA) and pulling him as a NBCU consultant. Most analysts assumed he would be leaving the company all together but instead he gets to head a new section entirely which goes against what they thought. The Head of Illuminations is now also in charge of leading DreamWorks Animation as well.

 

[Macfr3ak]

Wow, they wanted that bad. That's an overpay. I would imagine the upcoming Charter acquisition of Warner Cable spurred this on. This gives Comcast a lot of content product to support their internet, cable, networks, theme parks etc.

Cost of media is at an all time high when you have big companies gobbling up the powerful yet smaller guys. When there's not much smaller players left the price of said smaller players skyrockets. I'd say that if Charters acquisition of Time Warner CABLE didn't include any media properties I'd expect someone to start talking about acquiring that next. Turner networks properties i think include Hanna Barbera and looney tunes which are very powerful and ripe for resurrection of given to the right hands IMO. However my knowledge on ownership of these properties it's not Grade A so forgive me if I'm talking out of my arse.

 

[Mad Dog]

I don't think it was an overpay. Comcast knew what they were doing the moment they said they were pulling Jeffrey Katzenberg from DreamWorks animation and putting him as head of a new division call DreamWorks New Media (AwesomeTV and NOVA) and pulling him as a NBCU consultant. Most analysts assumed he would be leaving the company all together but instead he gets to head a new section entirely which goes against what they thought. The Head of Illuminations is now also in charge of leading DreamWorks Animation as well.

Oh, I don't disagree with you. Yes, I believe Comcast will get well over & above what they paid to acquire them. I just think they could have bought it for around $34 or$35 a share if they waited, since suitors weren't exactly jumping at the prospects of buying Dreamworks. But it's certainly a good match for Comcast, and I guess they were in a hurry to acquire them now since they'll be getting added competition from Charter/Warner in the near future. And Comcast had plenty of cash on hand, so, bottom line, it's a real good move for them......Comcast advantage at this point in time is that Charter will have a lot of debt to take care of, and their (Charter's) ability to acquire properties will be lessened because of that. As I've said before, Comcast is a very "aggressive" corporation. They don't sit on their laurels. They just attack, attack, attack. That's their history, and yes, this acquisition plays into that philosophy. Instead of waiting for a better deal, they jumped now. They probably figure they'll make the difference back quick. (Update: Comcast is telling investors that by eliminating/spinning off some synergies/administrative costs that their real cost will be the high teens. CNBC said the $41 share was a big surprise, and investors expected low $30's))

 

[quinnmac000]

Paramount minority stake still is up for sale....here is your chance Comcast. Hostile takeover that company. (Not much to gain but Terminator, Mission Impossible, Star Trek, JJ Abrams and Jerry Bruickheimer but that's still would be helpful against the Disney Dynasty)

 

[twebber55]

pricey, but some great franchises to build off of
HTTYD is an easy attraction right away

 

[Ryan]

Can somebody explain the current state of the Rudolph rights? I swear SeaWorld bought them last year. Did they already revert?

 

[JungleSkip]

Can somebody explain the current state of the Rudolph rights? I swear SeaWorld bought them last year. Did they already revert?

Without the contract I can't very well say what their rights are

 

[WAJAS]

Can somebody explain the current state of the Rudolph rights? I swear SeaWorld bought them last year. Did they already revert?

I'm aware that they did acquire the rights, but that doesn't mean that Universal couldn't buy the rights.

 

[Ryan]

I'm aware that they did acquire the rights, but that doesn't mean that Universal couldn't buy the rights.

Right. I was confused because everybody is acting as if this is already set to happen. Granted I do think it's very likely SeaWorld will sell them to Universal.

I mean... it's SeaWorld.

 

[Mad Dog]

Paramount minority stake still is up for sale....here is your chance Comcast. Hostile takeover that company. (Not much to gain but Terminator, Mission Impossible, Star Trek, JJ Abrams and Jerry Bruickheimer but that's still would be helpful against the Disney Dynasty)

Actually, Paramount has a "huge" film library. Not necessarily big titles, or theme park oriented, but certainly lots of product content for cable/internet/networks etc. .