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Muppets Attempt Comeback as Bidding Heats Up
Courtesy of Yahoo News
The Muppet Show is back, but the ending is a cliffhanger.
Reports emerged on Thursday that Walt Disney Co. may be considering a bid in the battle to buy Jim Henson (news) Co, best known for creating the zany Muppets television series and movies, has many in Hollywood hoping Kermit the Frog will move in with Mickey.
Whether Disney submits a bid and wins is an open question -- rumors of a tie up have swirled around Hollywood for more than a decade, after Disney almost bought the company in 1989.
The deal was scuttled in 1990, but the logic has been clear among watchers who say Disney offers Henson the distribution and financial backing it needs in a similar, family-friendly atmosphere.
"The Muppets feel like they should be there," said Kelly Calder, an agent at Natural Talent in Los Angeles. Her company represented the producers of a television animated series called the "Muppet Babies."
"It is a chance for the Muppets to make a comeback," she said. Both companies have soft, lovable characters, while Disney brings the distribution muscle that Henson needs, with its movie studio, broadcast and cable television channels and theme parks.
Disney was hard hit by slow business at its theme parks just as it finished an expensive, multi-year expansion, and it is rebuilding its ABC television network, which still trails rivals NBC and CBS despite recent gains in audience.
Disney's management of Winnie the Pooh has turned the honey-loving bear created by British author A.A. Milne into a product that brings in an estimated billion or more dollars in related revenue annually.
Kermit the Frog, the crooner of "It's Not Easy Being Green" and sidekick Miss Piggy gained a devoted following with the Muppet puppets' television series and movies, which were goofy enough to please children and smart enough to amuse adults.
GERMAN OWNER IN TALKS WITH SEVERAL BIDDERS
Henson has a number of other projects and products, but the Muppets are easily the best-known, especially since the company sold rights to the puppets who starred on the children's television show "Sesame Street."
Henson Co's German owner, EM.TV, says it is in talks with unidentified bidders to sell the company, which it bought in March 2000 for $680 million and has multiple bidders.
Sources on Thursday said that Disney was mulling a $135 million bid for the company. Disney said it would not comment on acquisition rumors as a matter of policy.
Henson Co. said the Muppets are already staging a comeback, with more activity in the last year and a half than the previous decade.
"We have had a Muppet renaissance if you will, and we have been coordinating efforts to bring the franchise back," said Debbie McClellan, a spokeswoman for Jim Henson Co. She declined to comment on the company's sale.
The familiar Muppets and some new characters will launch a new television series next year, probably in the fall. A straight-to-video movie is in stores.
The first made-for-television Muppet movie, "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie," blew away the competition when it showed on NBC on Nov. 29, beating all comers in the key 18-49 age bracket, among kids, and even teenagers. "It is hitting a new generation for the Muppets," McClellan said.
The wait may have helped, says Michael Uslan, executive producer of the Batman movies and a specialist in branding.
Children who grew up with the Muppets were now old enough to take their own children. "Resting a franchise is always a very good idea. It creates pent-up demand," he said.
Disney has also been criticized for overbidding on some recent acquisitions. But there is no doubt Disney, which is making a Haunted House movie based on its theme park attraction, knows how to cross market products.
"They could probably make more money faster than many other companies could," said Uslan.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021220/media_nm/media_henson_disney_dc_1
Courtesy of Yahoo News
The Muppet Show is back, but the ending is a cliffhanger.
Reports emerged on Thursday that Walt Disney Co. may be considering a bid in the battle to buy Jim Henson (news) Co, best known for creating the zany Muppets television series and movies, has many in Hollywood hoping Kermit the Frog will move in with Mickey.
Whether Disney submits a bid and wins is an open question -- rumors of a tie up have swirled around Hollywood for more than a decade, after Disney almost bought the company in 1989.
The deal was scuttled in 1990, but the logic has been clear among watchers who say Disney offers Henson the distribution and financial backing it needs in a similar, family-friendly atmosphere.
"The Muppets feel like they should be there," said Kelly Calder, an agent at Natural Talent in Los Angeles. Her company represented the producers of a television animated series called the "Muppet Babies."
"It is a chance for the Muppets to make a comeback," she said. Both companies have soft, lovable characters, while Disney brings the distribution muscle that Henson needs, with its movie studio, broadcast and cable television channels and theme parks.
Disney was hard hit by slow business at its theme parks just as it finished an expensive, multi-year expansion, and it is rebuilding its ABC television network, which still trails rivals NBC and CBS despite recent gains in audience.
Disney's management of Winnie the Pooh has turned the honey-loving bear created by British author A.A. Milne into a product that brings in an estimated billion or more dollars in related revenue annually.
Kermit the Frog, the crooner of "It's Not Easy Being Green" and sidekick Miss Piggy gained a devoted following with the Muppet puppets' television series and movies, which were goofy enough to please children and smart enough to amuse adults.
GERMAN OWNER IN TALKS WITH SEVERAL BIDDERS
Henson has a number of other projects and products, but the Muppets are easily the best-known, especially since the company sold rights to the puppets who starred on the children's television show "Sesame Street."
Henson Co's German owner, EM.TV, says it is in talks with unidentified bidders to sell the company, which it bought in March 2000 for $680 million and has multiple bidders.
Sources on Thursday said that Disney was mulling a $135 million bid for the company. Disney said it would not comment on acquisition rumors as a matter of policy.
Henson Co. said the Muppets are already staging a comeback, with more activity in the last year and a half than the previous decade.
"We have had a Muppet renaissance if you will, and we have been coordinating efforts to bring the franchise back," said Debbie McClellan, a spokeswoman for Jim Henson Co. She declined to comment on the company's sale.
The familiar Muppets and some new characters will launch a new television series next year, probably in the fall. A straight-to-video movie is in stores.
The first made-for-television Muppet movie, "It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie," blew away the competition when it showed on NBC on Nov. 29, beating all comers in the key 18-49 age bracket, among kids, and even teenagers. "It is hitting a new generation for the Muppets," McClellan said.
The wait may have helped, says Michael Uslan, executive producer of the Batman movies and a specialist in branding.
Children who grew up with the Muppets were now old enough to take their own children. "Resting a franchise is always a very good idea. It creates pent-up demand," he said.
Disney has also been criticized for overbidding on some recent acquisitions. But there is no doubt Disney, which is making a Haunted House movie based on its theme park attraction, knows how to cross market products.
"They could probably make more money faster than many other companies could," said Uslan.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20021220/media_nm/media_henson_disney_dc_1
A movie that "beat all comers"? Yeah, it beat a news show that traditionally skews older, it beat a *rerun* of "America's Funniest Home Videos", and a dippy movie "Brady Bunch In The White House". Blew 'em away! There's an accomplishment for you.