Downhome 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I can't believe this, as it just came out of nowhere to me. I believe I heard something about them trying to do so in the past, but wow. By Tom Johnson and Peter Henderson NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comcast Corp. does not plan to raise the value of its takeover bid to match Disney's current, higher share price, a source close to Comcast said on Tuesday, as Disney clinched its own long-sought deal to buy the Muppets. Comcast, which stunned Disney with its $49-billion all-stock takeover bid last week, is waiting for Disney's stock to fade from its recent rally before considering new action, the source said. As a result, Comcast is not inclined now to ask Disney shareholders to oust all or some of the company's board, the source said. Meanwhile, embattled Disney Chief Executive and Chairman Michael Eisner announced a deal to buy Kermit the Frog and the rest of the fabled Muppets franchise from Jim Henson Co., concluding a courtship that had lasted more than a decade. Eisner, under pressure from dissident shareholders who accuse him of mismanaging Disney's creative legacy, has argued that the company can deliver double-digit growth in coming years as provider of programming and entertainment. The announcement of the Muppets deal and plans for a new Disney television show featuring the familiar characters seemed timed to underscore that point in the face of Comcast's offer, but Disney and Henson Co. denied that. Comcast would unite Disney with the largest U.S. cable operator and create the world's largest media company. Disney and Henson declined to disclose financial terms of the deal for the Muppets, but two sources familiar with the matter said it included a payment of $40 million to $60 million plus a share of future Muppet profits. Jim Henson's heirs paid about $89 million last year in order to regain control of the company he had founded. STANDOFF OVER PROPOSAL The deal, which included rights for the characters featured in the children's show "Bear in the Blue House," came as Comcast and Disney appeared to be at a standoff over the proposed merger. Lisa Henson, co-chief executive of Henson Co., said she had been close to a deal for weeks to sell the Muppets to Disney, reviving an agreement that was almost completed 14 years ago. Disney's board unanimously rejected Comcast's unsolicited all-stock offer on Monday, noting that the bid represented a 15 percent discount to its stock price at the time. Comcast responded that its existing offer was full and generous. Viacom Inc. on Tuesday said it would not bid for Disney. News Corp. Ltd. had already said it would not fight Comcast for the home of Mickey Mouse and ESPN. The all-stock offer for Disney was initially valued at $26.47 per share when it was launched last week, but the value has declined as Comcast's share price has fallen. Based on closing prices on Tuesday, the bid values Disney at about $23.99 per share. Disney shares, after climbing earlier in the day, closed down 2 cents at $26.90. Disney's stock has climbed as much as 18 percent since the Comcast offer was announced, and even with Tuesday's decline it was up nearly 12 percent on speculation the company could still attract a higher offer. But for now, at least, Comcast is willing to wait, the source familiar with the company's plans said. "We are not interested in Disney at the current price levels," the source told Reuters on Tuesday. "Obviously, if we're not interested in Disney at these prices, we're not going to run a consent solicitation." Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV company, and Disney both declined to comment. 'ANY LEGITIMATE PROPOSAL' Disney said on Monday it would consider any "legitimate proposal" that created shareholder value, and backed Eisner, noting the company's current structure and strategy would maximize shareholder value. "The interests of Disney shareholders, which represent the fundamental priority of the board, would not be served by accepting any acquisition proposal that does not reflect fully Disney's intrinsic value and earnings prospects," the company said in a statement. Disney is slated to hold its annual shareholder meeting in Philadelphia, where Comcast is headquartered, on March 3. Former director Roy Disney, spearheading a campaign to oust Eisner, on Tuesday delivered his latest broadside against the management of the company his uncle Walt founded, accusing Eisner of poor leadership in a letter to shareholders. Disney directors fired back in a letter of their own, saying the "distractive propaganda campaign" was "unfortunate" and misleading in the face of improving financial results. Comcast, which owns a small stake in Disney, is not participating in the Disney meeting and is not expected to lead any shareholder campaign against Eisner that day, the source close to the company said. "This has never been about Mr. Eisner," the source said, noting that most of Comcast's senior management would be at a long-planned management conference that day. "It has been about maximizing value for the shareholders for both companies." Some shareholders have also begun lawsuits in Los Angeles Superior Court and in Delaware Chancery Court, accusing the Disney board of not properly considering the Comcast offer. Comcast shares climbed 85 cents to $30.75 on the Nasdaq market. Sincerely, ...Downhome... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I'll mark out if they make new Muppet Babies episodes. I don't give a fuck what any of you think. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Downhome 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I'll mark out if they make new Muppet Babies episodes. I don't give a fuck what any of you think. I'd mark out also, I love(d) that show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
starvenger 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 Me want Fraggle Rock!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DangerousDamon 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I'll mark out if they make new Muppet Babies episodes. I don't give a fuck what any of you think. Damn Skippy man. I mark for Muppet Babies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I can just imagine the Comcast Commercials with the Muppets pushing their crappy overpriced Cable, and don't say it won't happen cause the muppets are pushing the crappy overpriced Pizza Hut pizza currently. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WrestlingDeacon 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 Disney had been in association with Henson Productions since right before his Jim's death. I think the plan was for them to buy the company out at that time, but son Brian backed off upon his dad's death. Really, this is no biggie as they've been hand and in hand for years now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 Meep meepmeep meep? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Amazing Rando 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I just miss the Swedish Chef. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I can do a dead on impersination of the Swedish Chef. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Anglesault Report post Posted February 18, 2004 Really, this is no biggie as they've been hand and in hand for years now. See: Muppets 4D. Anyway, I too want to see more Muppet Babies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest THE HEAVY METAL MANIAC Report post Posted February 18, 2004 BORK,BORK,BORK!!!!! WILD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest EQ Report post Posted February 18, 2004 Yeah, Muppet Babies was good shit! This reminds me of a conversation me, Dames and our friend Keith (Heel In Peril on TSM) were having once. We were all talking about Buffy, getting into the topic... on a NYC subway (keeping it down of course). Keith looked at us both and said: "Wow. We are grown ass men" That's how I feel talking about how I would still mark out for Muppet Babies. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest FrigidSoul Report post Posted February 18, 2004 EQ, holy shit...before reading what you put I was just about to say something along the lines of "Wow, most of us are grown men and most of us would mark out for Muppet Babies...that's some shit". Of course you can't beat the series since it had those old movie clips in it too... like when Gonzo opened a door and black and white movie Frankenstein would be standing behind it. Plus it was a major part of all our childhoods. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I can just imagine the Comcast Commercials with the Muppets pushing their crappy overpriced Cable, and don't say it won't happen cause the muppets are pushing the crappy overpriced Pizza Hut pizza currently. Comcast appears to be walking away. They have from other attempted takeovers, and they seem intent not to pay anymore than the initial offer for this one. The big deal here is this: Brian Henson, who with his sister Lisa is co-chair and co-chief executive officer of The Jim Henson Company, said, "This new and very important relationship will enable our two companies to combine our respective talents and resources in ways that will fully realize the tremendous potential of the Muppet and Bear franchises. Michael Eisner's long-standing passion and respect for the Muppets gives me and my family even more confidence in Disney as a partner." Now, anyone familiar with the brief Henson/Disney alliance in the 90s knows that Eisner's greed disgusted the Henson family and caused the deal to be off. My guess is Eisner did this move not just to keep the company growing and give it more assets, but the emphasis on what a good guy Eisner is by Henson Jr shows to me that he (Eisner) must be desperate to hang onto his position. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ISportsFan 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 Really, this is no biggie as they've been hand and in hand for years now. See: Muppets 4D. Anyway, I too want to see more Muppet Babies. I want more Muppet Babies too. But, at Walt Disney World, it went back to Muppets 3D. So it has gone full circle -- 3D to 4D and now back to 3D. Jason Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kardo 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I used to LOVE the Star Wars episode of Muppet babies. Some of the episodes like the one where Kermit goes 20,000 leagues under the sea were a bit on the edge of creepiness for me when I was 4. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mecha Mummy 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 Hell, I'd even take the return of Muppets Tonight. New Muppet Babies would have me in inner child status for at least a week. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 Count me in has a Muppet Babies fan. In one dream I had. I saw Nannny's face, and she was a babe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zorin Industries 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I've still got the Temple of Doom episode on video, it's one of my fondest memories growing up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Kamala 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I bought the episode where Nanny makes cookies for everyone but Rowlf on VHS for a quarter at a yard sale. Does anybody know that they made an album with just Rowlf? Who the fuck thought that would sell? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Young 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I never liked the Muppets, but I loved Muppet Babies. My favorite characters were Gonzo, Rolf (sp?), and Animal. Oh yeah, Nanny was a fine piece of ass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ravenbomb 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 I loved the Muppet Babies. I was pissed when Nick Jr. stopped showing it, that was the only good thing on Nick Jr. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Highland 0 Report post Posted February 18, 2004 Count me in as a The Muppet Show and Muppets Tonight fan, count me out on Muppet Babies. C'mon, it's all about the Swedish chef and the two old men. They rocked. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JumpinJackFlash Report post Posted February 19, 2004 I would like to see DVDs made that are the Best of the Muppet show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mole 0 Report post Posted February 19, 2004 I love everything about the Muppets. The Swedish Chef is the fuckin man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Spaceman Spiff 0 Report post Posted February 19, 2004 I would like to see DVDs made that are the Best of the Muppet show. From Time Life Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted February 19, 2004 The two old men would make damn fine RAW announcers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted February 19, 2004 I hated The Muppet Babies. I think a big reason was because it was on after GI Joe for me, so I always knew GI Joe was done for the day when Muppet Babies came on. I linked the start of Muppet Babies to the end of GI Joe so I grew to loathe it. I still watched the damn show every day, mainly because there wasn't much else on at that time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest EQ Report post Posted February 19, 2004 I never liked GI Joe Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
