Do Disney Own Family Guy?
The question of the century: do Disney own Family Guy? As one of the most popular and longest-running animated TV shows, Family Guy has been a staple of American television for over two decades. But what is its parent company, 20th Century Fox, and do they have a connection to the House of Mouse, Disney?
A Brief History of Family Guy and 20th Century Fox
To understand the relationship between Family Guy and Disney, let’s take a step back and look at the history of the show. Created by Seth MacFarlane, Family Guy premiered on January 31, 1999, on the Fox network. The show’s initial run lasted from 1999 to 2002, but due to its high popularity, it was revived in 2005 and has been on the air ever since.
20th Century Fox, a subsidiary of News Corporation, was the original producer and broadcaster of Family Guy. The company was founded in 1915 and was one of the largest media conglomerates in the world. 20th Century Fox was responsible for producing and distributing some of the most iconic films and TV shows of all time, including The Simpsons, Star Wars, and The X-Files.
The Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company
In December 2017, it was announced that The Walt Disney Company would be acquiring 21st Century Fox, including its film and television assets, for $52.4 billion. The deal was completed on March 20, 2019, making Disney the parent company of 20th Century Fox.
So, Do Disney Own Family Guy?
Now that Disney owns 20th Century Fox, the question remains: do they own Family Guy? The answer is yes, but with some caveats.
In 2018, Disney announced that it would be renaming 20th Century Fox as 20th Century Studios, and the company’s TV studio would be rebranded as 20th Television. Family Guy, along with other 20th Century Fox shows, would fall under the 20th Television umbrella.
Family Guy: A Disney-Owned Property with a Traditional Partnership Structure
While Disney is now the owner of Family Guy, the show is still produced and aired by 20th Television, which means that the traditional partnership structure remains intact. This means that 20th Television is responsible for producing new episodes, while Disney acts as the distributor.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Family Guy?
Disney’s ownership of Family Guy has raised questions about the show’s future. While the show has been renewed for an 18th season, there are concerns about its long-term viability. Many fans are worried that Disney’s takeover will lead to creative changes or even cancellation, but 20th Television has assured fans that the show will continue to be produced with the same creative team and voice cast.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Disney does own Family Guy, but the show’s production and airing are still handled by 20th Television, a subsidiary of Disney’s 20th Century Studios. This partnership structure ensures that the show will continue to be produced and aired, albeit with Disney’s oversight. For fans of Family Guy, this means that the show will continue to bring its unique blend of humor, satire, and pop culture references to audiences everywhere.
Important Facts and Figures
- The Walt Disney Company acquired 21st Century Fox in 2019 for $52.4 billion.
- 20th Century Fox was renamed 20th Century Studios in 2018.
- 20th Television is the television studio responsible for producing Family Guy.
- Family Guy has been renewed for an 18th season and will continue to be produced with the same creative team and voice cast.
Table: 20th Century Fox’s History and Disney’s Acquisition
| Year | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1915 | 20th Century Fox founded | Founded as a subsidiary of News Corporation |
| 1999 | Family Guy premieres | Original run of the show |
| 2002 | Family Guy ends its original run | Show goes on hiatus |
| 2005 | Family Guy returns | Show revived and continues to air |
| 2017 | Disney announces acquisition of 21st Century Fox | Deal valued at $52.4 billion |
| 2018 | 20th Century Fox renamed 20th Century Studios | TV studio rebranded as 20th Television |
| 2019 | Disney acquires 21st Century Fox | Acquisition complete |
References
- "The Walt Disney Company to Acquire 21st Century Fox." The Walt Disney Company, 14 Dec. 2017.
- "Disney’s 21st Century Fox Deal: What It Means for TV and Movie Fans." Variety, 14 Dec. 2017.
- "Disney Renames Fox’s TV Studio 20th Television, Sets New Leadership." The Hollywood Reporter, 11 June 2019.