The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) has decided to rename and completely overhaul 20th Century Fox (NASDAQ: FOX). This latest news of the studio comes after Disney had previously announced earlier this year that it would rebrand 20th Century Fox with the name 20th Century Studios. Previously, 20th Century Fox had been the studio's name since the 1935 merger of Twentieth Century Pictures and Fox Films. Now, moving forward, the studio's new name will be 20th Television.
In addition to giving 20th Century Fox a complete marketing makeover, Disney has also been working on its other brands, including ABC. For one, Disney is merging ABC Studios and ABC Signature both under ABC Signature. Further, Fox 21 Television Studios is being renamed to Touchstone Television, which was a previously TV brand that Disney initially stopped using back in 2007.
All of these moves come after last year's $71.3 billion deal that Disney entered to buy the majority of Fox's (NASDAQ: FOX) assets. Apparently, Disney is working to give all of their brands that reference Fox a new look and feel, further distancing Disney from Fox Corporation and its founder, controversial right-wing figure Rupert Murdoch.
While Disney acquired most of 20th Century Fox's assets, some of Fox's assets remain owned by the Murdoch family, including Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Sports, and Fox News.
"Our new studio names and logos mark a new day for ABC Signature, 20th Television and Touchstone Television while honoring their rich histories and the creative power of The Walt Disney Company," said Disney television studios president Craig Hunegs in a statement.
Over the years, 20th Century Fox has been responsible for some of the biggest blockbuster hits of all history, including films such as Titanic, Avatar, and Home Alone. Earlier movies have also tended to win major successes over the years, including Star Wars and The Sound of Music. As a television studio, 20th Century Fox has been responsible for many hit shows, including M*A*S*H and The Simpsons.