News
Disney buys Pixar; Steve Jobs to join board of directors
The Walt Disney Co. today announced that it is acquiring longtime partner Pixar, the animation studio headed by Apple CEO Steve Jobs. As part of the $7.4 billion deal, Jobs becomes Disney’s largest shareholder and will take a position on the company’s board.
“Disney and Pixar can now collaborate without the barriers that come from two different companies with two different sets of shareholders,” said Jobs. “Now, everyone can focus on what is most important, creating innovative stories, characters and films that delight millions of people around the world.”
Since word of the possible deal leaked last week, several analysts and industry pundits have weighed in on what the agreement will mean for Apple. It is widely believed that Jobs will use his powerful new position at Disney to offer more content for the video iPod. The media conglomerate owns a bounty of potential offerings, including the ABC and ESPN network channels, Touchstone Pictures and Miramax Films, among others.
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1
The beginning of the end for Jobs. Hollywood pretends to love him, but they really loathe him.
Disney just took Pixar out from under him. Of course, he was paid handsomely for it, but it’s his no more.
Some will speculate that Jobs is Disney’s future CEO, but I think it will play out differently.
No solid science behind my predictions, just a hunch.
Posted by Talking Madness in Los Angeles on January 24, 2006 at 11:34 PM (PDT)
2
um, “Jobs becomes Disney’s largest shareholder”
how are they going to screw him? he didn’t lose pixar, he just gained disney.
Posted by zip22 on January 25, 2006 at 12:17 AM (PDT)
3
There’s an old saying…
“The best way to make a small fortune in Hollywood is to come to town with a big fortune.”
Hollywood has fleeced (financially, spiritually and morally) more than one mogul.
Jobs may prove to be the exception, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Posted by Talking Madness in Los Angeles on January 25, 2006 at 12:42 AM (PDT)
4
This could be the end of quality at Pixar. Disney has show they don’t know how to make an appealing animated feature any more. Pixar does. Hopefully the Disney people will stay out of the Pixar creative process.
Posted by keith on January 25, 2006 at 4:05 AM (PDT)
5
“Hopefully the Disney people will stay out of the Pixar creative process.”
Since Pixar’s Ed Catmull and John Lasseter will be taking over Disney Animation, I suspect the “Disney people” will have no other choice than to stay out of the way. In fact, since the two units will remain separate, I’d be looking for a dramatic improvement in the Disney product over the coming years.
And as far as Steve getting fleeced, you have to remember that Steve isn’t in it for the money. It’s all about changing the world for him, and what better way to alter the world of content delivery and consumption forever than to find a way to vertically integrate Disney’s content factories into Apple’s delivery and consumption system?
I anxiously await world-changing events…
Posted by bipto in Minneapolis, MN on January 25, 2006 at 5:56 AM (PDT)
6
Dream scenario: Lasseter puts hand drawn animation back into production.
Posted by Hrothgar on January 25, 2006 at 6:42 AM (PDT)
7
Dammit I was hoping this wouldent happen. Disney has made some abismal kids movies recently and now they have Pixar there are probebly going to pump out more of the carbon copyed crap.
Shame on you Jobs!
Posted by Peachey on January 25, 2006 at 8:17 AM (PDT)
8
I’m viewing this as a positive thing. Yes, Disney’s animated films of late have been terrible, but it was not always so. They once had a soul, lost it, and found it again. They seem to have lost their way again, but with more sensible leadership like Iger in place and visionaries like Lasseter and Jobs in positions to shape the company’s creative and philosophical direction, there could easily be another golden age.
Posted by Hrothgar on January 25, 2006 at 6:00 PM (PDT)
9
This deal would have never happened if Eisner was still CEO.
Posted by Stephen on January 25, 2006 at 7:35 PM (PDT)
10
I they letting that dope own Disney. This guy is trying to take over the world, we are all doomed!! Dumb Disney family for letting these outsiders steal their company
Posted by I Luv My Pod on January 25, 2006 at 11:21 PM (PDT)