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 © 2025 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

Hentaied Founder Romero 'Mr. Alien' on Fetish, Fantasy and Finding Order in Chaos

A sharp sting pierces the woman’s skin. Something foreign slips beneath the surface. Eggs, maybe. She doesn’t know it yet, but soon her body will become a vessel, a hive, a source of contamination.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches for July, August

AEBN has published the top search terms for the months of July and August from its straight and gay theaters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

The Guardian Devotes Feature Article to XBIZ Amsterdam

British newspaper The Guardian sent a reporter to cover XBIZ Amsterdam earlier this month, resulting in a lengthy article about the annual European adult industry conference.

Pineapple Support Taps Char Borley as Brand Ambassador

Pineapple Support has named Char Borley as its newest brand ambassador.

Michigan Legislators Propose Online Porn Ban

Michigan lawmakers have introduced a bill that would make it illegal to distribute pornography via the internet in the state.

Florida AG Sues Aylo, Segpay Over State AV Law

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed lawsuits against Aylo and Segpay on Monday with the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida for noncompliance with HB3, the state's age verification law.

Colombian Court Sides with Performer Esperanza Goméz Over IG Suspensions

Colombia’s Constitutional Court last week ruled in favor of adult performer Esperanza Gómez in her legal battle against Meta over repeated suspensions of her Instagram account.

Missouri AG Announces Age Verification Rule to Take Effect Nov. 30

Newly appointed Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced Friday that the state's recently approved age verification regulation for adult websites will go into effect on Nov. 30.

Aylo, Woodhull Freedom Foundation to Tackle Online Censorship in Virtual Seminar

Aylo and Woodhull Freedom Foundation will co-host a virtual panel addressing online censorship on Sept. 30.

Severe Sex Films Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Severe Sex Films has relaunched its official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Show More