Muppets sold to Disney

[AmericanErrorist]

BURBANK AND HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Feb. 17, 2004 – The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) and The Jim Henson Company today announced that they have entered into an agreement under which Disney will acquire the beloved “Muppets” and “Bear in the Big Blue House” properties from Henson.

The transaction includes all Muppet assets, including the Kermit, Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo and Animal characters, the Muppet film and television library, and all associated copyrights and trademarks, as well as all the “Bear in the Big Blue House” characters, television library, copyrights and trademarks. The parties have signed a binding purchase agreement and expect the transaction to close within two months, subject to receiving the necessary regulatory clearances. The transaction does not include the “Sesame Street” characters, such as Big Bird and Elmo, which are separately owned by Sesame Workshop. The deal also includes non-exclusive production and consulting agreements under which Henson will develop potential new programming featuring the “Muppets” and “Bear in the Big Blue House” for Disney.

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.”

Lisa Henson said, “In the months before his death in 1990, my father Jim Henson pursued extensive discussions with The Walt Disney Company based on his strong belief that Disney would be a perfect home for the Muppets. As such, the deal we announced today is the realization of my father’s dream, and ensures that the Muppet characters will live, flourish and continue to delight audiences everywhere, forever. My brothers and sisters—Brian, Cheryl, John, Heather—and I are so proud to have the Muppets living under the same roof as Walt Disney’s own timeless characters. We could not possibly be more pleased.”

http://www.henson.com/company/press/html/021704.html

[AmericanErrorist]

1. Amendment

The Jim Henson Company, which was purchased by the Henson family in July 2003 from the German media company EM.TV, will retain all other assets of the company including Jim Henson’s Creature Shop and ownership and rights to all other characters and entertainment properties in The Jim Henson Company’s extensive film and television library, including Fraggle Rock, Farscape, Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Storyteller, The Hoobs, and various other properties.

[Rabrrrrrr]

2. Jim Henson was a <words deleted>

and his family are worse. And no, I'm not gonna support that critique with anything that will pass for viable data.

Though I say that while admitting that the the muppets have given me countless hours of enjoyment. :-)

Still, it's really too bad that his family felt the need to sell the Henson muppet properties to Disney; but on the other hand, it doesn't surprise me that they wanted to get rid of Jim's artistic legacy. But on the other other hand, they're keeping a lot of stuff, so who knows what's up? I don't.

[thermodynamic]

3. About time they get something good...

Of course, they can either reap in millions from marketing the existing material to death, or make new matieral - the latter effectively killing the muppets off for good...

I wonder how much the Henson family is getting, they seem to be gushing up a sloppy storm of slobber...

[CanuckAmok]

4. "Polaroid means love"---Gonzo, from a commercial, circa 1980

Don't blame the Muppets themselves, but their handlers are clearly, and always have been, mercenary.

[tigereye]

5. that's just gross

Why does Disney have to get it's slimy paws on everything? Michael Eisner, full of respect and passion. Yup he's Mr. Honorable all right. Yuk.

Sorry I am fed up today with everything being a product, franchise, marketing ploy, etc. Some days I really hate capitalism.