Union...

Today, these two souls were united in marriage...

The acquisition/merger of Marvel into the Disney Empire happened today. Here is the official press release:

New York, New York – December 31, 2009 -- Marvel Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: MVL), a global character-based entertainment and licensing company founded in 1939, announced that at a special meeting held this morning, Marvel stockholders approved the adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by Marvel and The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”), which provides for a merger in which Marvel will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Disney. Marvel anticipates that the merger, which, based on the closing price of Disney’s common stock on December 30, 2009, has an estimated value of approximately $4.3 billion, will be completed today after the close of the market.

The completion of the merger is subject to satisfaction of remaining conditions disclosed in the definitive proxy statement/prospectus filed by Disney with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424 on December 2, 2009.

May they have a long, happy life together...

Another Bite Of The Apple...

The way we get our entertainment could see another earthquake in the traditional media, just like the one caused by the iPhone, come 2010...

It appears that the Walt Disney Company and CBS as well as several other media outlets are considering joining Apple's rumored subscription based content service. It appears that Bob Iger's quest for new revenue streams to replace the old ones have led him back to his board room.

That purchase of Lala which the Little Fruit Company made just days ago is part of a strategy for streaming content to electronic devices (hello Tablet!). TV's, iPhones, laptops, ect. and the like are being planned for a service that may launch next year. The $30 price is about half what the cable company charges you and it would be specific to your preferences. No need to get several channels in a language you don't speak simply because it was "part of the package."

Right now, Jobs and his dark sorcerers are out convincing the entertainment big wigs that this is the way for them to go. If he's able to gather more companies like Disney and CBS, then you're likely to see some interesting moves come next year. Presuming of course, that it'll be ready to go by then.

Developing...