Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd.

thewaltdisneycompany.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

241–250 of 301 posts

Re: Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd.

#241

Post by taligent »

philwelch wrote: post #195
afterburner wrote: post #175

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It doesn't matter that not all the properties fall in line with Fox News' agenda. That Fox News has a huge influence is undeniable, and the rest of News Corps news and pundit properties fall in line with that. The entertainment divisions simply put money in the pot.

> It doesn't matter that not all the properties fall in line with Fox News' agenda It matters in the sense that a media conglomerate can't consistently act in concert to effect cultural change, which was the original question. But I think you're being insufficiently cynical if you don't think the news properties are there to put money in the pot, too. Before Fox News was launched, the overwhelming sentiment among con…

This is completely and utterly wrong.

In the UK/Australia, News Limited has been heavily involved through its newspapers in dictating government policy. For example the "boat people" issue was very much promoted in Australia and in the UK there are countless examples of governments capitulating on policy at the behest of the News International papers.

Re: Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd.

#243

Post by Bud »

eric_h wrote: post #168
tptacek wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most users of the Internet are dependent on Google to find anything on the Internet.

Nevertheless, you could flip the switch and turn Google off, and people would be able to find things on the internet just fine.

Just not true.

There are people, a LOT of people, who literally think Google IS the internet. If they can't get to Google in a web browser, they think the internet is broken; "I can't get to my internet!" And they know of no other portal thereto.

Just ask some folks over age 55 or so. You'll find this user mindset is very common.

Re: Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd.

#244

Post by brc »

brfox wrote: post #208
MartinCron wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They also do the Jedi Training Academy show at Disneyland in California. It's a great production and just fits perfectly with the rest of the feel of Disneyland.

I agree. After we visited Disneyland this year with my kids, I looked up the profit to Disney from movies vs theme parks, and they make a lot more profit on theme parks than movies. So, you could consider that the media arm is just an advertisement to get people to visit Disneyland/World parks.

You got that right.

I think that this deal, like the Pixar one, brings in something that Disney hasn't been able to create on it's own for a long time - enduring and loved characters. It's all very well trying to get a 5 year old to be 'into' Mickey Mouse, but they are far more interested in Buzz Lightyear or Nemo or Lightning McQueen.

Disney itself hasn't been very good at 'coining' characters for a while, and there is no doubt the real cream is in the merchandising. A successful movie, therefore, is not just about getting box office, but also in spawning characters that can become cashcows.

Re: Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd.

#246

Post by gavanwoolery »

dmix wrote: post #198
mariaslickflick wrote: post #174

Earlier quoted context omitted.

pretty low, considering that a movie like Avatar made approx $3 billion in revenues.

$1.1 billion in profit. But it was certainly an exception to the average film.

It probably made more than $1.1 billion in actuality, thanks to Hollywood accounting. :)

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20121018/01054720744/hollyw...

Re: Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd.

#247

Post by njharman »

Bud wrote: post #243
eric_h wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nevertheless, you could flip the switch and turn Google off, and people would be able to find things on the internet just fine.

Just not true. There are people, a LOT of people, who literally think Google IS the internet. If they can't get to Google in a web browser, they think the internet is broken; "I can't get to my internet!" And they know of no other portal thereto. Just ask some folks over age 55 or so. You'll find this user mindset is very common.

Sure, but it will take 1min of evening news to tell them google is now spelled bing.

Re: Disney to Acquire Lucasfilm Ltd.

#249

Post by philwelch »

taligent wrote: post #241
philwelch wrote: post #195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It doesn't matter that not all the properties fall in line with Fox News' agenda It matters in the sense that a media conglomerate can't consistently act in concert to effect cultural change, which was the original question. But I think you're being insufficiently cynical if you don't think the news properties are there to put money in the pot, too. Before Fox News was launched, the overwhelming sentiment among con…

This is completely and utterly wrong. In the UK/Australia, News Limited has been heavily involved through its newspapers in dictating government policy. For example the "boat people" issue was very much promoted in Australia and in the UK there are countless examples of governments capitulating on policy at the behest of the News International papers.

I'm not denying that News Corporation is influential, I just think the primary motivation is profit rather than an actual desire to see through any kind of political agenda.
Post reply on HN