Who's the potential buyer for MGM?

[Nexonius]

In the past couple of months we've heard nothing but the worst possible news for MGM, from having only one picture released this year (Fame), to having a load of debt (and to think that Sony and Comcast would've done something for MGM up to this point). Now, as financial papers have been sent to Time Warner, News Corporation, Lionsgate and other companies in the states, who would you think would be the potential buyer (and most logical for that matter) for MGM and United Artists?


Let's see:

Would it be Lionsgate?

Considering the recent launch of the Epix network with Viacom and MGM, Lionsgate (or in a joint venture) can acquire MGM and use MGM's deals with other companies as its way to not only futher broaden its legs from up north (yeah, Lionsgate is based from Canada), but here in the USA and internationally as well. Plus, Leo the Lion - the lions from Lionsgate: coincidence?


News Corporation?

Well, aside from distributing MGM's releases worldwide since 2007 and on DVD, there's nothng really surprising about Rupert Murdoch wanting something. If he wants it, he'll get it. One way or another.

Time Warner?

They tried buying out MGM in 2004, but failed because of the doomed merger of AOL (now separated) and Time Warner. Well second time's the charm, I guess. Out of all studios, this is the most logical deal for Time Warner and MGM. I mean, they'll probably shrink it or merge it with Warner Bros. Entertainment, but let's face the facts here. The Pink Panther (and the upcoming TV series) runs regularly on Cartoon Network and Boomerang, New Line Cinema's co-producing the two Hobbit films with MGM, MGM distributed New Line Television's shows for two years. Not to mention, their pre-1986 library. Time Warner can throw the MGM movies on HBO, Turner Classic Movies, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and Cinemax and skip the Epix partnership. Time Warner will also have 1/2 of This TV, MGM HD and 1/3 of Epix.

I'm rooting for Time Warner.

[Lord Dalek]

I'd write off Lionsgate. They don't have the money to execute such an acquisition. More likely Warner Bros.

[dth1971]

What about Sony?
Or maybe NBC Universal?

[Lord Dalek]

What about Sony?
Or maybe NBC Universal?

A: Sony is part of a conglomerate trying to sell MGM

B: The company that is on the verge of buying NBC Universal is part of a conglomerate trying to sell MGM.

[powergate92]

Time Warner?

They tried buying out MGM in 2004, but failed because of the doomed merger of AOL (now separated) and Time Warner. Well second time's the charm, I guess. Out of all studios, this is the most logical deal for Time Warner and MGM. I mean, they'll probably shrink it or merge it with Warner Bros. Entertainment, but let's face the facts here. The Pink Panther (and the upcoming TV series) runs regularly on Cartoon Network and Boomerang, New Line Cinema's co-producing the two Hobbit films with MGM, MGM distributed New Line Television's shows for two years. Not to mention, their pre-1986 library. Time Warner can throw the MGM movies on HBO, Turner Classic Movies, TBS, TNT, Cartoon Network and Cinemax and skip the Epix partnership. Time Warner will also have 1/2 of This TV, MGM HD and 1/3 of Epix.

I'm rotting for Time Warner.

Also Time Warner owns the pre-1982 Orion library, so since Time Warner owns the pre-1982 Orion library and the pre-1986 MGM library, I think they are most likely to buy MGM just so they can own the post-1986 MGM library and the post-1982 Orion library.

Whoever buys MGM will get the post-1986 MGM library, the post-1982 Orion library, the pre-1997 Samuel Goldwyn Company library, the pre-1996 Motion Picture Corporation of America library, and the United Artists library.

What about Sony?
Or maybe NBC Universal?

Sony and Comcast own part of MGM right now and they're not doing anything about MGM debt, so I don't think they will buy MGM. Comcast is buying part of NBC Universal, so I also don't think they will buy MGM.

[Lord Dalek]

Whoever buys MGM will get the post-1986 MGM library, the post-1982 Orion library, the pre-1997 Samuel Goldwyn Company library, the pre-1996 Motion Picture Corporation of America library, and the United Artists library.

Actually its more than that. There is also the Avco Embassy, pre-1997 Polygram, American International, and Filmways film and television catalogs up for grabs.

MGM owns a lot of movies... they just didn't make most of them.

[powergate92]

Actually its more than that. There is also the Avco Embassy, pre-1997 Polygram, American International, and Filmways film and television catalogs up for grabs.

MGM owns a lot of movies... they just didn't make most of them.

The Avco Embassy library, the American International library, and the Filmways library are all part of the Orion library.

[Time Wizard]

Time Warner I would hope.

[Jeff Harris]

I'd go for Time Warner since they're shedding AOL and focusing more on becoming an entertainment company. MGM is a legacy brand, plus, they could easily transform it into an prestige label of the studio (Warner Bros. for the mainstream titles, New Line for the niche/"B" films, and MGM for the prestige/artsy films).

Also, Time Warner has a bulk of the best-known titles and properties that originally came from the studio.

Considering they were within an eyelash of getting it the last time (they were up against NBC Universal and both lost), they might actually succeed were they to make a bid for it.

News Corp might want to make a bid, but Rupe's a news media man. Most of his recent purchases has been in that media rather than entertainment properties. Otherwise, don't you think he would have tried to lure Pixar, Universal, or Dreamworks to 20th Century Fox?

I think Lionsgate would be a dark horse at best, but considering they have very little capital to make such a purchase without raising a lot of funds by splitting their stock, I doubt they'll make a bid. Plus, I wouldn't be surprised if THEY were to become acquired by a larger company themselves.

So, unless someone convinces me otherwise or they outright say they aren't interested, Time Warner could be the one to make a winning bid.