Disney now owns 21st Century Fox, X-Men and most Hulu

After more than a year of work to get final approval, the long process of acquiring 21st Century Fox by Disney is finally over.

The merger was completed at 00:02 local time, giving Disney full control over several 21st Century Fox entities, including the entire movie studio division of the company, from its 30% interest in the service. Hulu streaming media and Fox Television Group. The acquisition has received final approval from antitrust regulators around the world in recent months. Despite the acquisition, Fox Corp. will retain its independence and entities such as Fox News and Fox Sports in the United States.

"This is an extraordinary and historic moment for us – an event that will create significant long-term value for our company and our shareholders," Chief Executive Bob Iger said in a news release. "The combination of the rich creative content of Disney and 21st Century Fox and its proven talent creates the ultimate global entertainment company, well positioned to lead an incredibly dynamic and transformative era."

Nonetheless, Disney is focusing primarily on 20th Century Fox's film badets, its catalog of film and television shows, and its stake in Hulu. Disney's general manager, Bob Iger, has already discussed the company's plan to incorporate Fox content into its own business plans, including the eventual integration of franchises like Deadpool and the X-Men into its own universe. Marvel and the initiation of an international audience. The agreement now gives Disney control of nearly 40% of the current market share, according to Vanity Fair. Perhaps the biggest addition to Disney's portfolio, and most importantly as it prepares for a commercial direct-to-consumer model, is becoming a majority shareholder in Hulu.

Disney now has a 60% controlling stake in Hulu, and badysts expect Iger will try to make the streaming service even more appropriate. He repeatedly told investors that he did not intend to leave the ship, even though Disney was preparing to launch its own streaming service, Disney +. Iger wants to increase Hulu's programming spend and internationalize it. That would make Hulu, which already has 25 million subscribers in the US, more of a competitor than Netflix. And if Disney actually expands Hulu into the European market, it means more original content and licenses for European series, as new charges have made it mandatory for streaming services.

On the movie side, it may be a while before Fantastic Four or X-Men appear in the Marvel film universe. Iger said that there was a place for movies like Fox's superhero movies (which are currently under the umbrella of Marvel Entertainment, but not produced by Disney's Marvel Studios), but it may not be in the PG-13 universe that Disney has grown. R-rated movies like Deadpool "will continue," Iger told investors in February, while stating that they had to stay separate. It's the same mentality that Iger has suggested will apply to Disney + or Hulu series and movies; members of the first group must respect the status quo favorable to the Disney family, while Hulu could carry more titles for adults.

Kevin Feige, Co-President of Marvel Studios, has no more to offer fans who hope to finally see some of the Avengers team up with the X-Men. Feige talked about the agreement on VarietyS Reading podcast in December, and noted that although "the notion of returning characters is excellent," they have not started planning anything yet.

Content and streaming will not be affected by the acquisition alone. On the corporate side, Disney and Fox employees are expected to be affected by the acquisition, which should result in the layoff of 4,000 employees. Most of these jobs are supposed to be roles that are now duplicated. The badyst Rich Greenfield said The Hollywood journalist that he could be closer to 8,000 employees, calling the merger "bloodshed".

"It's a virgin territory for Disney, which has never achieved mbad integration," he said.