Disney Eyeing Twitter Takeover

Disney Eyeing Twitter Takeover

LOS ANGELES — In a move that may adversely impact the promotional efforts of adult entertainers and marketers alike, as well as fans’ access to their favorite performers, family-friendly megabrand Disney is reportedly considering the acquisition of social media powerhouse Twitter.

According to a TechCrunch report, Disney is working with bankers to determine the deal’s feasibility and to set a price for the company that has a market cap approaching $20B.

“Disney, which owns media properties [such as] ESPN and ABC, is hoping that the social media platform could amplify their reach. Twitter has also been dabbling in content partnerships, including one with the NFL,” the report explains. “Successful implementation of these partnerships could also prove to be beneficial to a media conglomerate [such as] Disney.”

The report states that Twitter’s Periscope live streaming platform and its social media integration have drawn interest from potential suitors — but its more controversial content could prove problematic for publically held companies.

“Ultimately, this combination would be about re-imagining distribution platforms and building a long-term vision for a real-time content powerhouse,” the report states. “As a distributor of news and commentary platform, Twitter’s strengths lie in at least some amount of agnosticism when it comes to media companies. How having it owned by one of the largest content businesses on the planet would affect that efficacy is doubtless a part of these discussions.”

“Twitter may give [Disney] an opportunity to communicate directly with their customers in an increasingly fragmented media landscape,” adds Bloomberg’s Paul Sweeney.

Premier social media strategist Lauren MacEwen told XBIZ that Disney has been looking for a video content delivery platform and that Twitter could be that platform, although it is unlikely without a massive overhaul.

“Disney is apparently wanting to reach the ‘un-corded,’ a.k.a. ‘mobile’ internet audience,” MacEwen explains. “Twitter is the ideal platform for that as more than 80 percent of Twitter users are on mobile devices.”

Still, the deal is not necessarily a match made in heaven for the family-friendly company and the unruly social media landscape.

“I think they would be less interested because of the adult nature of it, but they are also heavily involved in sports and other non-family based entertainment,” MacEwen concluded, offering an intriguing insight on one of the story’s nuances. “I would be surprised if Disney is truly interested and wonder if Dorsey — as he is a Disney board member as well as Twitter CEO —  is using this as leverage for another contender such as Salesforce or Google.”

Regardless of how the story plays out, the adult industry and its many millions of fans, will be watching closely.

Related:  

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Missouri Republican Behind FOSTA-SESTA Renews Attack on OnlyFans

Rep. Ann Wagner, the Missouri Republican legislator who was the original architect of FOSTA-SESTA, has renewed her call for federal action against OnlyFans.

Idaho Legislature Passes Republican Age Verification Bill With Full Democratic Support

The Idaho legislature has passed the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Pre-Nom Period for 2024 XBIZ Creator Awards Ends Monday

The deadline for pre-nomination entries for the 2024 XBIZ Creator Awards is Monday, March 18 at 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Partners With Anti-Porn Lobby NCOSE

Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez issued a press statement last week prominently highlighting her partnership with religiously-inspired anti-porn lobby NCOSE, an organization that seeks to criminalize all sex work and eradicate adult content, and that has an extensive, well-documented history of championing state censorship and opposing LGBTQ+ rights.

Age Verification Trade Group Weighs In on UK Consultation

The Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA) filed earlier this month its response to U.K. media regulator Ofcom's consultation soliciting feedback on the regulation of adult websites under Part 5 of the Online Safety Act.

WIPO Rules in Favor of Clips4Sale, Orders Transfer of Infringing Website

A World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) panel has issued a decision ruling against a Russia-based website operator accused of infringing on intellectual property belonging to clip site Clips4Sale.

Indiana Governor Signs Controversial Age Verification Bill Into Law

Indiana’s Republican governor, Eric Holcomb, has signed into law the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

India Censors 18 Social Media Platforms as 'Obscene'

The conservative Hindu nationalist government of Narendra Modhi has blocked 18 social media platforms in India, claiming they “promoted obscenity and vulgarity under the guise of ‘creative expression.’”

ECP Marks Anniversary of Aylo Acquisition With Emphasis on Trust, Safety

Aylo and Ethical Capital Partners released statements on Thursday commemorating the first anniversary of ECP's acquisition of technology and media company Aylo, owner of a large portfolio of adult online entertainment properties.

Pornhub Blocks Access in Texas Over Age Verification

Aylo has blocked access to Pornhub in Texas as of Thursday morning, following the decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit upholding the state’s controversial age verification law.

Show More