Why Disney and Apple's Near-Merger Never Closed
Disney and Apple nearly combined forces under Bob Iger's watch. Here's what derailed one of entertainment's biggest what-ifs.
Bob Iger built Disney into a media colossus by snapping up Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm, and Fox. But the deal that could have redwritten Hollywood history entirely — a merger with Apple — never made it across the finish line. Imagine owning stock in that combined entity right now.
The story goes that Disney and Apple came dangerously close to merging, which would have created an almost unthinkable mashup of the world's most recognizable entertainment brand and the most valuable technology company on the planet. The synergies on paper would have been staggering — content, hardware, streaming, theme parks, all under one roof.
Read more Coinbase Legal Chief Grewal Exits After SEC Battle Ends →
What killed it? The source points to the deal simply not working out under the leadership dynamics and strategic priorities of the time. Iger has long had a close relationship with the late Steve Jobs, who was Disney's largest individual shareholder after the Pixar acquisition. That personal connection made the idea more than just boardroom fantasy — it was actively entertained.
For traders and long-term investors, this is a reminder that the companies you hold today could look radically different based on deals that almost happened. Disney's current streaming struggles and Apple's push into original content via Apple TV+ both look a lot more interesting when you consider how close these two giants came to becoming one. Two separate bets instead of one moonshot — that's the market reality you're living with now.
The near-miss also raises questions about Disney's future M&A appetite under current leadership. With the stock under pressure and the streaming wars still raging, another transformational deal isn't out of the question. Continue reading at Yahoo.
