Comcast joins the ranks of media companies interested in purchasing 21st Century Fox’s movie and TV divisions. It was revealed last month that The Walt Disney Company had discussed the potential acquisition of 20th Century Fox and 20th Century Fox Television, among other studios and divisions, but talks had reportedly fallen through. Then, earlier this week, the two media giants re-entered negotiations, with a decision to pursue a sale expected to come by year’s end. But the Mouse House isn’t the only company interested in acquiring Fox.


Sony Pictures is also interested in purchasing Fox’s movie and TV assets, but if talks are happening between Sony and Fox, they have been muted and behind closed doors, for the general public has yet to hear about them in detail. Still, that doesn’t mean Sony should be discounted for their efforts, they have made major acquisitions in the past, but the studio’s parent company recently toyed with the idea of selling off Sony Pictures as well, so they may not be a contender. However, Comcast certainly is and they are showing a keen interest in Fox’s assets.

Deadline reports that Comcast has approached 21st Century Fox and is interested in purchasing the company’s movie and TV studios, namely 20th Century Fox, as well as their international networks and news outlets. Details are scarce at this stage, but if a sale were to go through, Comcast would be the owner of two of Hollywood’s Big Six movie studios (they already own NBCUniversal), something that hasn’t happened in over three decades.


So far, Disney seems to be the top contender for Fox’s assets, and the biggest piece of news stemming from Disney’s potential acquisition of Fox has been centered on Marvel Studios regaining the film rights to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, thus allowing the mutant team and Marvel’s First Family to effectively join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but there are much more profound ramifications of a Disney-Fox deal than many people may realize.


What’s more, if Comcast were to acquire the same parts of Fox that Disney is interested in, this could enable them to get back into the comic book movie trend. After all, Universal Pictures hasn’t released a major comic book movie since 2008 (The Incredible Hulk and Hellboy II: The Golden Army). With so many companies interested in 20th Century Fox, it seems the studio may soon find a new home, but there are still several hoops to go through before the decision to pursue a sale is made.