Comcast is reportedly in talks to acquire DreamWorks Animation in a multibillion deal

[HopperFan]

First thought was the Universal property big enough to build a couple parks on ...... Dreamworks could give the Mouse a run for it's money.

http://www.businessinsider.com/comcast-may-acquire-dreamworks-animation-2016-4

 

[luisov]

DreamWorks is all over the place right now. Several companies have theme park rights to their characters. The animation department is not doing exactly well either, and considering that Universal already has a more profitable animation studio (Illuminations), I'm not sure this will be happenning. Who knows, though. Katzenberg has been negotiating DW's sale for quite a while with no success, after all.

 

[rteetz]

Considering that Universal has a good working relationship with DreamWorks and particularly Spielberg I can't say I am completely surprised. Personally though I think Disney still is far superior in animation than DreamWorks is but Comcast can use this to continue to grow.

 

[Planogirl]

Could I finally get my How To Train Your Dragon attraction? That is my favorite animated movie and I keep hoping...

 

[Irish_Mike]

I wouldn't be surprised to see a sizable Dreamworks footprint in Universal's third gate, assuming this report is accurate.

Though I still have money on Nintendo for now.

 

[Lee Matthews]

While competition for Disney is great for us, they wont match Disney in quality by a long stretch

 

[mshanson3121]

While competition for Disney is great for us, they wont match Disney in quality by a long stretch

I wouldn't be so sure on that. Uni has already proven they're very capable of producing excellent rides and themeing. Their growth is exceeding Disney's in park attendance. There's a reason.

 

[ChipnDale79]

While competition for Disney is great for us, they wont match Disney in quality by a long stretch

I dunno about that, they just purchased 475 acres of land in Orlando, a third park, and maybe that third park being built around Dreamwork characters could be a big draw. Will it ever be as big as WDW? No, but it doesn't have to be.

 

[HopperFan]

That new Universal land is big enough for multiple parks/hotels so they need property to theme them if that is the plan. Dreamworks could be huge.

News is good for Dreamworks today -

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-stock-soars-52-888100?utm_source=twitter

 

[rteetz]

That new Universal land is big enough for multiple parks/hotels so they need property to theme them if that is the plan. Dreamworks could be huge.

News is good for Dreamworks today -

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dreamworks-animation-stock-soars-52-888100?utm_source=twitter

Other stocks weren't so lucky yesterday... Cough Apple cough Twitter cough.

 

[BrianL]

This would be huge for Comcast and a shot across the bow toward Disney, which is a GOOD thing. Disney animation is at the top of their game right now. Dreamworks has lost a lot of footing, but Universal also has Illumination. The added properties, with proper management, could provide Universal with a one-two punch like Disney has with Disney Animation Studios and Pixar. This increased pressure can only lead to improved output from both companies. It is a good time to be an animation fan!

 

[ChipnDale79]

So lets compare where we are right now.

The Disney Companies own the following (partial listing)
ABC
ESPN
Theme Parks
Pixar
Marvel
Star Wars

Comcast owns the following (partial listing)
NBC
NBC Sports Network
Theme Parks
Universal Pictures
Illuminations
adding Dreamworks to this is a good move

Comcast is heading in a direction that can do some very good things and can compete with Disney as well.

 

[luisov]

So lets compare where we are right now.

The Disney Companies own the following (partial listing)
ABC
ESPN
Theme Parks
Pixar
Marvel
Star Wars

Comcast owns the following (partial listing)
NBC
NBC Sports Network
Theme Parks
Universal Pictures
Illuminations
adding Dreamworks to this is a good move

Comcast is heading in a direction that can do some very good things and can compete with Disney as well.

It is the obvious direction for them to follow. With the decline in cable subscriptions, they really need to expand their brand.

 

[mikepizzo]

So lets compare where we are right now.

The Disney Companies own the following (partial listing)
ABC
ESPN
Theme Parks
Pixar
Marvel
Star Wars

Comcast owns the following (partial listing)
NBC
NBC Sports Network
Theme Parks
Universal Pictures
Illuminations
adding Dreamworks to this is a good move

Comcast is heading in a direction that can do some very good things and can compete with Disney as well.

I know you said partial listing, so I'm not saying you missed anything, but I just learned that Disney co-owns A&E Television Networks which consists of:

A&E Network

• A&E
• Crime & Investigation Network
• fyi

History Network

• History
• History en Espanol
• Military History

Lifetime Entertainment Services

• Lifetime
• LMN
• Lifetime Real Women

Other

• Viceland

I just learned that yesterday...sometimes it blows my mind thinking of how many pies Disney has their fingers in.

 

[rteetz]

I know you said partial listing, so I'm not saying you missed anything, but I just learned that Disney co-owns A&E Television Networks which consists of:

A&E Network

• A&E
• Crime & Investigation Network
• fyi

History Network

• History
• History en Espanol
• Military History

Lifetime Entertainment Services

• Lifetime
• LMN
• Lifetime Real Women

Other

• Viceland

I just learned that yesterday...sometimes it blows my mind thinking of how many pies Disney has their fingers in.

They also have a large stake in Hulu.

 

[ChipnDale79]

I know you said partial listing, so I'm not saying you missed anything, but I just learned that Disney co-owns A&E Television Networks which consists of:

A&E Network

• A&E
• Crime & Investigation Network
• fyi

History Network

• History
• History en Espanol
• Military History

Lifetime Entertainment Services

• Lifetime
• LMN
• Lifetime Real Women

Other

• Viceland

I just learned that yesterday...sometimes it blows my mind thinking of how many pies Disney has their fingers in.

Yeah really, I mean if you sit down and look into what they actually own, it'll blow your mind.

It's almost like that diagram that's gone around with food companies and whom owns what, it all comes down to like 3 or 4 large corporations that own the majority of the food in the grocery stores.

 

[mikepizzo]

They also have a large stake in Hulu.

A couple years ago they had a deal with Netflix as well right? I remember a few years ago seeing a ton of Disney content appearing on Netflix.

I know there was a rumor of Disney buying Netflix a couple weeks ago.

If they have the money (which of course they do) it makes sense for Disney to be playing both sides of the streaming field.

You can never lose if you bet on all the horses.

EDIT: Because I was curious, I googled "assets owned by Disney"

Oh...my...gward...

 

[quagmire0]

Star Wars alone will put Disney over the top, but that's not to say that Universal can't compete. Right now, IMO, Disney has the edge when it comes to the younger kids - it was built upon that. Universal was built upon older kids and adults and is trying to catch up in that 'whole family with younger kids' market. But, let's be honest, Star Wars is HUGE. Harry Potter has a great market as well, but it's not Star Wars.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

I don't know how I feel about this, only because DreamWorks is all over the place financially and something tells me this is just to get investors to shut up over their woes. For those of you pointing out Illumination as to why Universal shouldn't, I said the same thing when they signed the deal with Fox since they have Blue Sky. I know for sure I would LOVE DreamWorks rides in the parks, especially an e-ticket How to Train Your Dragon and maybe a copy of Madagascar from Singapore. That's why I'm eagerly awaiting Motiongate in Dubai. Someone said Universal cut all ties with them with the exception of Shrek but this could benefit them (DreamWorks giving Universal the theme park rights) more than the deals they're already making. I'm going to sit and wait for a final answer on whether or not this is happening

 

[ChipnDale79]

Star Wars alone will put Disney over the top, but that's not to say that Universal can't compete. Right now, IMO, Disney has the edge when it comes to the younger kids - it was built upon that. Universal was built upon older kids and adults and is trying to catch up in that 'whole family with younger kids' market. But, let's be honest, Star Wars is HUGE. Harry Potter has a great market as well, but it's not Star Wars.

UO will never topple WDW, if that's their goal, they will fail.

Their goal should be to take a day or two extra off of a disney vacation and move it to Universal. They've done that for years, but I think they are going to be able to do that with more and more guests in the near future.