Disney: Fox Acquisition to Close March 20

The Walt Disney Company’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox is scheduled to close on March 20, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Disney and Fox have stated that they expect Fox to distribute “all issued and outstanding shares of Fox Corporation common stock to 21st Century Fox stockholders” on March 19.

The new Fox will operate as a separate company, including Fox News and the Fox broadcast network, after the deal closes.

Disney is paying $71.3 billion for most of Fox, including the film and TV studio, FX, National Geographic, an additional 30 percent stake in Hulu (bringing Disney's stake to 60 percent) among others. Disney will then combine 20th Century Fox’s film units with Pixar, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Disney Animation Studios and Disney's live-action productions.