Apple Considered Buying Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment, but Talks 'Fizzled Out' [Updated]

Another rumor of Apple's interest in acquiring a company involved in film and television has come to light today, with Financial Times reporting that the Cupertino company was in talks to acquire production company Imagine Entertainment, co-founded by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer. The deal is said to have gotten "serious enough" to include Apple CEO Tim Cook and senior vice president Eddy Cue, but discussions ultimately "fizzled out" for unknown reasons.

Those knowledgable about the deal said that possibilities ranged from a "first look" distribution strategy granted to Apple for movies and television shows released by Imagine all the way to an investment or even an outright purchase by Apple. Imagine is a company behind a number of well-known films, including all three entries in The Da Vinci Code series, Apollo 13, and the upcoming adaptation of The Dark Tower. Some of its production in the TV space includes shows like Empire, 24, and Parenthood.

brian grazer ron howard

Ron Howard and Brian Grazer of Imagine Entertainment

According to Financial Times, Apple's current approach to original video content "has many in Hollywood scratching their heads."

This approach has many in Hollywood scratching their heads. Apple’s rounds of meetings with various entertainment industry players suggest it has not yet decided what its strategy should be.

The iPhone maker has been stalking Hollywood for more than a year, talking to leading industry players while it tries to formulate a cogent video strategy. It has considered a range of acquisitions and targets including, most recently, Imagine Entertainment, the Hollywood production company owned by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, according to several people briefed on the discussions.

Imagine is said to have recently faced the end of a long-term production and distribution deal with Universal Pictures, which is when Apple is believed to have considered entering into a first look deal with the company. The new Imagine rumor marks another bump in the road for Apple's trip around Hollywood, following reports that the company considered buying Time Warner last year. Later in the year, people familiar with Apple's acquisition strategy said it was "not interested" in acquiring Time Warner at the time.

Today's news follows a Bloomberg report from yesterday that underscored Apple's "arrogance" in mergers and acquisitions, where it's reported to use shrewd business tactics and non-traditional strategies in its attempts to acquire new companies. These tactics work mostly for Apple's smaller acquisitions, according to some analysts, but impede its success at acquiring larger companies, although it is unclear how seriously Apple has pursued any such large targets.

Update 12:50 PM: Imagine co-chairman Michael Rosenberg tells Variety, "The story is not accurate and Imagine has no further comment."

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Top Rated Comments

bladerunner2000 Avatar
101 months ago
I wouldn't wanna sell to a company that's producing this garbage:

Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Stella Avatar
101 months ago
I'd like to see Apple go all in and just buy Netflix.
No thanks... Netflix is great as is. Apple keep out. Personally, I don't want to see "Apple's improvements".. they'll destroy it.

It may actually turn off potential new business knowing that clients will be dealing with Apple.


Edit:

I wouldn't wanna sell to a company that's producing this garbage:

Netflix doesn't need this crap. This looks awful.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
disagree Avatar
101 months ago
Pfft. Apple doesn't need them. Apple can develop the inevitable "All Along the Wacthband Tower" reality show about new watchbands all by themselves.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
stevet Avatar
101 months ago
This headline is great. Common too, how many times have we seen "Apple tried to buy xxxxx but talks fizzled out"? Aka, the Eddie cue syndrome.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheShadowKnows! Avatar
101 months ago
wow.. I must admit.. It looks horrible.. Nobody in the general public will watch this..
It certainly does look horrible, beyond words. [But never underestimate the stupidity of the people watching reality-programming. Who knows?]

My view: an ill-conceived effort, while the following target-rich programs are making their mark:
[LIST=1]
* NBC (nbc.com ('http://nbc.com')): The Blacklist, Blindspot, Shades of Blue, Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., Chicago Med, Timeless
* ABC (abc.go.com ('http://abc.go.com')): Designated Survivor
* FOX (foxnow.com ('http://foxnow.com')): Lethal Weapon, Rosewood
* Showtime (showtimeanytime.com ('http://showtimeanytime.com')): Billions, Ray Donovan, Homeland, Brotherhood
* HBO (hbo.com ('http://hobo.com')): Game of Thrones, Westworld, Deadwood, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Tracey Ullman’s Show, Ballers
* Starz (starz.com ('http://starz.com')): Outlander, Black Sails
* TNT (tntdrama.com ('http://tntdrama.com')): Good Behavior, Animal Kingdom, The Last Ship
* USA (USANetwork.com ('http://USANetwork.com')): Shooter
* History (history.com ('http://history.com')): Vikings, SIX, Forged in Fire
* FX (fxnetworks.com ('http://fxnetworks.com')): The Americans
* NBCSports (nbcsports.com ('http://nbcsports.com')): English Premier League (EPL)
* TV5Monde (usa.tv5monde.com ('http://usa.tv5monde.com')): French Cinema/News/Documentaries
* Comedy Central (cc.com ('http://cc.com')): South Park

Cook and Cue (C&C) have picked the lowest common denominator (a reality show). And worse, yet, decided to offer this as discriminator of AMusic, rather than ATV? WTF?
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jetjaguar Avatar
101 months ago
I'd like to see Apple go all in and just buy Netflix.

Netflix's Market Cap is around 60b. Even if they "Are Not for Sale" Apple has the War Chest needed for a hostile take over. Since Apple's track record with content isn't as good as Netflix's they could let them run independently. Netflix would be good for another .50-.75 EPS when synergies are realized. With potential tax holidays on the horizon, I can't think of a reason not to buy netflix.
please god no .. Netflix is doing great .. don't need apple to ruin them
[doublepost=1487266665][/doublepost]
Can Eddy just retire already?
totally agree .. the guy is horrible
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)