Amazon in talks to buy Hollywood studio MGM for $9bn

[Neil Jones]

MGM's probably had more owners than most people had hot dinners.
Hard to believe it used to be a big juggernaut in film making in the early 20th century, but got stuck in a rut and were stuffed financially, to the point of bankruptcy about a decade or so ago. Wouldn't be surprised if it's still saddled with debt, though I'm sure Amazon can clear all the debt, since they only have to blink and they've made a small fortune.

[XIII]

MGM's probably had more owners than most people had hot dinners.
Hard to believe it used to be a big juggernaut in film making in the early 20th century, but got stuck in a rut and were stuffed financially, to the point of bankruptcy about a decade or so ago. Wouldn't be surprised if it's still saddled with debt, though I'm sure Amazon can clear all the debt, since they only have to blink and they've made a small fortune.

The problems really started in the 1980s when they merged with United Artists and the break up of the MGM library due to Ted Turner buying MGM/UA then selling it back but keeping the pre 1986 library.

[James2001]

Let's see if Amazon will also buy MGM's pre-1986 catalogue with all their money.

As if Warner will want to give that up, it includes many of the most popular movies of all time. They probably bring in billons from them.

Half of TCM's schedule will be gone for a start, not to mention all they'd lose from selling the films elsewhere.

[James2001]

Hard to believe it used to be a big juggernaut in film making in the early 20th century, but got stuck in a rut and were stuffed financially, to the point of bankruptcy about a decade or so ago.

At least they did better than RKO who were just as much a juggernaut in the 30s and 40s, but had gone entirely by the end of the 50s.

I'm re-watching my blu-ray of the original Twilight Zones, and on the episode commentaries it's talked about how they filmed at MGM studios, and how the backlot we see in many episodes was sold off for houses in the early 70s because of financial troubles they were having back then, so their money issues go back a long time.

[XIII]

I'm re-watching my blu-ray of the original Twilight Zones, and on the episode commentaries it's talked about how they filmed at MGM studios, and how the backlot we see in many episodes was sold off for houses in the early 70s because of financial troubles they were having back then, so their money issues go back a long time.

The MGM studios in Culver City now belongs to Sony Pictures.

United Artists was almost sunk by the failure of Heaven's Gate and ended being sold and merged with MGM in 1981. A similar thing happened to New Line Cinema where The Golden Compass made nearly $372m WW but because New Line sold the overseas distribution rights, they didn't see a penny from overseas box office receipts and only had the US revenue which was $70m.

[James2001]

The MGM studios in Culver City now belongs to Sony Pictures.

The studios, yes, but I was referring to the outdoor backlot.

[JAS84]

Let's see if Amazon will also buy MGM's pre-1986 catalogue with all their money.

I suspect Warner aren't planning on selling it anytime soon as it's an important component of their back catalogue.

Yeah, it's about as likely as them selling DC Comics i.e. virtually no chance of it happening.

[TheMightyTRex]

Bond. Already famous for its blatant product placement is going to become a parody of itself with amazon products and services in every shot.

Bond: "alexa, where are the plans to the doomsday device"
Alexa: "playing doomsday by the plans on amazon music"

[Mateus Honrado]

Bond. Already famous for its blatant product placement is going to become a parody of itself with amazon products and services in every shot.

Bond: "alexa, where are the plans to the doomsday device"
Alexa: "playing doomsday by the plans on amazon music"

I hear ya. I'm just not happy about Amazon buying MGM because of this.