For Disney chief Bob Iger, Fox deal is all about future of TV

Los Angeles

WHEN news broke last month that Walt Disney Co was in talks to buy a large of part of 21st Century Fox Inc, the first question many investors had was, why are the Murdochs selling? Then came the second: Why is Disney buying?

The US$50 billion deal, which could be announced this week, would mark a significant turning point in the empire-building career of Fox's founder and executive chairman, 86-year-old Rupert Murdoch. It would also be a defining moment for Disney and its chief executive officer Robert Iger.

Mr Iger has built a reputation over the past 12 years for making bold bets, including the US$7.4 billion he paid for Pixar animation just months after he became CEO. But this would be much bigger, giving the home of Mickey Mouse and Princess Elsa the 20th Century Fox film studio, th…