A new Walt Disney Co. emerges as purchase of 21st Century Fox is complete

As the bell tolled midnight, The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox became finalized.

The sale became officials at 12:02 a.m. Eastern Time on March 20, 2019. Disney has started changing its branding, including images on its website to include:

Shape of Water – representing Fox Searchlight and the history of that company’s Academy Award-winning history.

Avatar – representing the purchase of another large franchise which Disney had been licensing for the Animal Kingdom theme park.

Bart Simpson – representing the “Simpsons” one the largest new franchises and TV shows it owns.

A chimpanzee – representing the National Geographic Channel purchase.

Deadpool – representing that all of the Marvel properties that were owned by Fox are now togehter.

Donald Glover from “Atlanta” – representing the FX Network.

These images are added to the lineup Star Wars, Pixar, Marvel, ESPN, ABC and Walt Disney Pictures photos.

“This is an extraordinary and historic moment for us—one that will create significant long-term value for our company and our shareholders,” Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company said in a statement. “Combining Disney’s and 21st Century Fox’s wealth of creative content and proven talent creates the preeminent global entertainment company, well positioned to lead in an incredibly dynamic and transformative era.”

For a cool $71 billion, Disney increased its international footprint, expanded its direct-to-consumer offerings, purchased a rich film and library, and a treasure trove of talent.

The acquisition includes 21st Century Fox’s film production businesses, including Twentieth Century Fox, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Family and Fox Animation; Fox’s television creative units, Twentieth Century Fox Television, FX Productions and Fox21; FX Networks; National Geographic Partners; Fox Networks Group International; Star India; and Fox’s interests in Hulu, Tata Sky and Endemol Shine Group. Disney and 21st Century Fox entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice last year under which Disney will divest 21st Century Fox’s Regional Sports Networks.

21st Century Fox keeps the FOX News Channel, FOX Business Network, FOX Broadcasting Company, FOX Sports, FOX Television Stations Group, and sports cable networks FS1, FS2, Fox Deportes and Big Ten Network, and certain other assets.