Disney announced today they have finalized a deal to buy out most of 21st Century Fox for a whopping $52.4 billion. What exactly does this mean for the future of the “24” franchise?
Although the FOX broadcast channel is staying put, Disney has taken over the 20th Century Fox Television studio where “24” was produced. So essentially the future of the franchise is now entirely in Disney’s hands.
The Los Angeles Times reports that the deal might cause high-level Fox executives to either jump ship or be laid off. Fox Television Group Chairman Dana Walden who worked at Fox for more than 20 years is said to have already been approached by Amazon to become chief executive of Amazon Studios.
Anxiety has spread beyond the executive ranks. Producers who make shows for the broadcast network are uncertain how their businesses will be affected. “No one really knows what’s going to happen,” one producer said Monday.
Company insiders have been hearing that the broadcast network will become more dependent on sports events, news programs and unscripted reality series. Such programming is largely watched live at the time it airs — which means viewers are more likely to see the commercials.
We’ll have to see how things shake out in the following months, but in short, this does not seem promising for those wanting more “24” in the near future.
86 Comments
Comments ClosedWouldntYouLikeToKnow
December 14, 2017 at 2:35 pmWho would have ever expected that 24 would one day be owned by Disney…
24 Spoilers
December 14, 2017 at 7:53 pmBut I do think they’ll be extra careful with any future shows in development. I expect the 24 legal drama will end up dead in the water. It just doesn’t benefit Fox much anymore since they’d only profit from the initial airing – and the live ratings for Legacy were very poor. All of the money these days seems to be in licensing, syndication, home video, streaming deals which Fox would see no part of (Disney gets it now).
Just doesn’t make as much sense to pick it up anymore. i kind of doubt it makes it past the script stage, which is probably for the best honestly.
Justin
December 14, 2017 at 10:17 pmWith the emails I got today from everyone attached to project, they all seem very positive about the development of the show. That’s why I think.
So IMO I do not think 24 is dead in the water. It will either stay at Fox or move to another network or become a movie.
I still think Fox will keep it cuz if it’s name and Legacy it has. And I read a season 6 of Prison Break is in early development.
Very excited about 24 maybe becoming a legal drama. Hopefully It’s much better than Legacy.
I guess we will find out more at Press Tour in January.
Jake
December 21, 2017 at 6:43 pmAndrew
December 21, 2017 at 6:16 pmI still think the future of 24 is in doubt due to this deal, but Disney will still consider on-demand and online viewing when giving shows the green light.
Justin
December 14, 2017 at 3:48 pmI also read for the near future Fox will continue to produce scripted content and Fox could buy another Scripted studio. As well I read there will be no staff changes for the near future at Fox until the deal is approved in 12-18 months. Also Fox could theoretically air 24 still and just buy from Disney or 24 will not move. But all parties have confirmed to me today that there will be no change in development and a script will be ready for submission in the new year sometime!
http://deadline.com/2017/12/fox-broadcasting-entertainment-shows-scripted-future-disney-lease-fox-digs-severance-packages-fox-disney-merger-fallout-updates-1202227056/amp/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter&__twitter_impression=true
Big Boss
December 14, 2017 at 4:36 pmJake
December 21, 2017 at 6:44 pmJustin
December 14, 2017 at 4:02 pmJustin
December 14, 2017 at 4:04 pmBieber
December 14, 2017 at 4:52 pmChlojack
December 14, 2017 at 5:31 pmJack Power
December 15, 2017 at 2:01 pmChlojack
December 15, 2017 at 4:21 pmJustin
December 14, 2017 at 5:41 pmFox gave the 24 reboot a script commitment and the producers have been busting their asses off the last 7 months working on development. Fox and producers have been adamant on continuing 24 after Legacy and I stilll think 24 can be a money maker and be great again. I am so down for a complete reboot and a re fresh. So I am down to give a legal 24 show a chance. I still love Howard Gordon, Joel Surnow and Co.
I do not think Fox will scrap development due to a deal with Disney. This Is my opinion based on what Howard Gordon, his assistant, Joel’s assistant, Brian grazer’s assistant and 20th century fox and fox told me today that development is moving forward.
Everyone is entitled to their opinions and their speculation on the news so I do not fault anyone here for anything that is said.
Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wish you all the best during the holidays with your families. Wish everyone nothing but love, happiness, joy, positivity, great health and care this holiday season! You all deserve it.
Looking forward to what 2018 brings for the 24 universe!
Big Boss
December 14, 2017 at 6:14 pmTrevor
December 14, 2017 at 8:45 pmRyan
December 15, 2017 at 9:15 pmNow, he says it “sucked big time.”
Justin
December 15, 2017 at 12:23 amHoward Gordon said this:
“I’m sure (as sure as I can be) that 24 is an important “brand” – so I assume Disney will be every bit as motivated to continue developing the franchise…” “still working on it…
no timing of when script will be done. just when script is right…”
Best,
H
Michael Rosenberg from Imagine said this:
“Everyone continues to need content and service all the networks and platforms. ”
Jose Cabrera:
“Doesn’t change anything. Decisions will be made when there is a script.” Script will be done sometime in new year
Chris Alexander at Fox:
“No change in status”
Rob Kenneally (Joel Surnow’s agent)
– *No, deal with Disney does not affect development of reboot*
Gerry Mander
December 15, 2017 at 10:35 amBut I agree with our host; I don’t see the new overlords at Fox Broadcasting continuing with the 24 franchise after the transition… there’s nothing in it for them; the original iteration had already peaked commercially before it ended in 2010, Live Another Day got merely solid rather than great numbers in 2014, and Legacy outright tanked… that’s a downward market trajectory by any metric standard.
As huge a fan of 24 as I am and remain – despite Day 6, ’nuff said! – it’s time to let it go and rest in peace…
Justin
December 16, 2017 at 11:48 pmDeadline said in August that this may go to Pilot before official Pilot season.
Fox will still need content for 2018/2019 so I can see them doing one season seeing how it does and go from there. So basically decisions will be made on what’s in development and how the script turns out.
If Howard and Jeremy make a great script a network will reject a great script.
A
December 15, 2017 at 5:58 amJack Power
December 15, 2017 at 12:50 pmThey bought Fox for 52.4 Billions, so bringing back 24 for another season that cost 50-60 Millions is nothing for them – if they want it back they can do it easily.
Ryan
December 15, 2017 at 9:21 pmI really enjoyed Live Another Day, and, despite the inconclusive end for Jack, I am content with that being the ultimate end of the show.
eman
December 16, 2017 at 3:28 pmThe 24 Legal spinoff is dead, it will not happen.
My best guess is we will see a 24 theatrical film in a few years starring Kiefer.
Disney knows that Jack Bauer is synonymous with 24 and they will re-introduce the character in a future film.
Bet on it.
Justin
December 16, 2017 at 11:34 pmBrian Grazer’s assistant and Howard Gordon both said Disney would be motivated to continue 24 as it’s an important brand so I can see the legal action show happening. I can see Fox ordering a 24 for 2018/2019 as it’s meant to be Anthology. As said all networks and studios continue to need content hinting 24 could move.
They may even go with Joel Surnow’s idea.
Gerry Mander
December 17, 2017 at 6:54 amMilo
December 17, 2017 at 11:56 am24 Spoilers
December 21, 2017 at 10:35 amHoGo and co’s responses should obviously be taken with a grain of salt though since they’re directly involved in the project and will only/always put a positive spin on things.
Jake
December 21, 2017 at 6:48 pmMilo
December 17, 2017 at 4:48 am@Justin: I wish you a merry Christmas too! and also slow and painful death you piece of troll shit.. no I am just kidding, just please shut the fuck up or I will find you k?
Gerry Mander
December 17, 2017 at 6:45 amKiefer tried his best for three solid years to get the movie made but it didn’t happen.
He signed on for Live Another Day, and that was the extent of his contractual obligation.
He’s said repeatedly he’d gladly play Jack for the rest of his career, but he and HoGo both feel (again, rightly, in my opinion) that Jack’s story is done… at least for now.
Milo
December 17, 2017 at 12:05 pmLonglive24
December 17, 2017 at 5:02 pmJack Power
December 17, 2017 at 5:53 pmAnd if I very enjoyed 24 would I like or enjoy The Punisher?
dj042t
December 20, 2017 at 7:56 pmJoshua
December 18, 2017 at 8:05 amMilo
January 6, 2018 at 4:17 amJoshua
January 6, 2018 at 6:53 amX
January 12, 2018 at 11:42 amTrevor
January 17, 2018 at 5:56 pmMilo
January 16, 2018 at 9:41 amBig Boss
January 17, 2018 at 6:10 pmJD
January 19, 2018 at 9:57 pmI hate to say “I told you so” but…
Actually, I DO hate saying it but only for one reason: 24 was one of my favorite TV shows and it hurts seeing it die the death it has. This is how we’ll remember 24:
-Tony dies, resurrected, turns bad, turns sorta-kinda-good/gray/whatever but doesn’t get to have a final glorious heroic scene and, instead, just limps off with a broken arm brought on by a new character no one cared about
-Jack comes out of limbo and goes right back into it again all in one season and his swan song is a repeat of Season 5’s ending but this time with no chance of followup
-A new season with a new lead that acts like Jack Bauer-lite and a Senator that acts like Palmer-lite with Drazen-lite and no compelling characters
-Repeat of every single plotline from past seasons and crammed into one season
This is how 24 went out. This is how we get to remember 24: the very last scene of the show is of some carbon copy of Jack because they couldn’t get Kiefer back and Tony still on the lamb in a sort of gray area, a shadow of his former self.
That’s our last episode of 24. That’s what this once great show went out on.
When you say it like that…Yeah, it hurts as a fan.
Brad
January 21, 2018 at 2:55 amDon’t be presumptuous, JD. There’s enough of that on the internet.
Big Boss
January 21, 2018 at 3:37 pmBrad
January 22, 2018 at 5:29 pmGerry Mander
January 24, 2018 at 10:03 amThere’s no point lamenting a franchise not continuing when that franchise had reached it’s natural end… and ’24’ had reached it’s natural end, of that there is no doubt.
Be thankful for the 204 episodes we got instead of the possible ones we’ll never get.
Here endeth the lesson.
Brad
January 24, 2018 at 5:23 pmGerry Mander
January 30, 2018 at 5:01 pmBrad
January 30, 2018 at 5:11 pmXAM
January 29, 2018 at 12:44 pmIf any of you are X-Files fans, just watch. I can guarantee that even though Anderson is confirmed to be leaving, they will not seize the opportunity and give us a satisfying ending at all, and why? The usual bullshit Fox reasons, i.e. “movies” and “more”.
In an ideal world there should be an industry rule for television shows; plan your story, tell your story, then fuck off. Sadly we don’t live in that world, and most of the shows we love have suffered for it.
SharanRJ
January 31, 2018 at 8:54 amhttp://deadline.com/2018/01/cyrus-yavneh-dead-supernatural-24-producer-falling-skies-1202274979/
XAM
January 31, 2018 at 4:17 pmJoshua
February 1, 2018 at 7:02 amXAM
February 1, 2018 at 8:25 pmJust saying.
Marlon
February 2, 2018 at 6:06 pmSo…does this mean we can all stop talking and consider this the end of any possibility of future 24?
Big Boss
February 6, 2018 at 4:58 pmLonglive24
February 2, 2018 at 6:16 pmMatthew R.C.
February 14, 2018 at 11:23 amPersonally, I am not thrilled with this news. FOX has a great identity with it’s own unique franchises and offerings. What I wonder, aside from 24, how the tone for future films from the Alien universe , etc will differ.
I even read that long time FOX partner/showrunner/director Ryan Murphy will leave FOX as he is heading towards Netflix now. Sounds simular to what happened to Dana Walden, is the end of a great era?
Trevor
February 14, 2018 at 4:36 pmMatthew R.C.
February 15, 2018 at 2:29 pmTJ
April 1, 2018 at 10:54 amMatthew R.C.
February 14, 2018 at 11:30 amI also forgot to add in addition to the Alien films. Programming such as The X-Files, Prison Break, to name a few.
Joshua
February 17, 2018 at 5:43 amSharanRJ
March 12, 2018 at 10:59 amSunDevil
March 23, 2018 at 4:33 pmXAM
March 30, 2018 at 10:11 amJack Power
March 30, 2018 at 6:52 pmBig Boss
April 2, 2018 at 8:46 pmChlojack
May 11, 2018 at 5:00 pmBrad
May 14, 2018 at 7:13 amChlojack
May 14, 2018 at 11:16 amUpdate from the upfronts:
“We are developing around the 24 franchise, which frankly we have almost since the show went off the air,” fellow Fox Television CEO and chairman Dana Walden said. “[Producer] Howard Gordon is working with a team of writers. They’re working on one idea we’re pretty excited about.”
Fox attempted to revive 24 last year with 24: Legacy starring Corey Hawkins, but the show didn’t catch on with viewers. Original 24 series star Kiefer Sutherland’s ABC drama Designated Survivor was canceled last week, so if Fox decided to revive the series the actor would presumably be available again.”
http://ew.com/tv/2018/05/14/fox-x-files-prison-break-24/
SharanRJ
May 14, 2018 at 4:21 pmGerry Mander
May 16, 2018 at 10:06 ambauerpower!
May 15, 2018 at 8:21 amTrevor
May 15, 2018 at 8:58 amTrevor
May 15, 2018 at 8:59 amXAM
June 11, 2018 at 7:09 amI now find LAD to be the superior of the two, even though both of them are still shite.
Gerry Mander
June 27, 2018 at 4:29 pmThe only substantial thing I would change about that season would be shooting it on traditional 35mm film as opposed to the digital capture they did use, but really that’s about it… and digital or not, it looks very nice indeed on Blu-ray, it has to be said.
I didn’t know how to rate Live Another Day on it’s initial broadcast, but it’s grown in my estimation over the last four years… and that’s a mark of quality, in my book.
Justin
June 15, 2018 at 2:31 amSebastian Monroe
June 15, 2018 at 7:50 pmhttp://www.digitalspy.com/tv/24/news/a858935/24-kiefer-sutherland-jack-bauer-return-lorraine/
Jack Power
June 15, 2018 at 8:52 pmhttps://www.reddit.com/r/TwentyFour/comments/8pd3mq/kiefer_sutherland_on_doing_another_season_of_24/
XAM
June 17, 2018 at 5:25 pmIt’s a tired old whore of a phrase, the whole “No Jack, no 24”, but we also need to have the 24 hour format back as well as Jack, because the 12 hour format clearly doesn’t fucking work!
Fyi
July 26, 2018 at 8:01 pmSharanRJ
July 27, 2018 at 4:16 pmThink they’ll start restructuring next year, and where this show would end up is anyone’s guess.