Why wouldn't he?
He now has a big stake in Disney/ESPN. Not as big of one as he does in FOX, but a big one. He now has an interest in ESPN making money.
The RSNs are exponentially more localized and less profitable than his other FOX properties. Their programming fits better under ESPN's current and projected distribution systems than they do under either FS-1 or FS-2. And if they continue to lag in profitability, it's better to have them lag in your minority held property (ESPN) than it is in your majority held property (FOX).
Among other concessions Rupert got, he is unloading $13 billion dollars worth of his FOX debt on Disney. I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of it is in these RSNs.
Remember. He is spinning off the more valuable and well known daily media properties like FOX News, Fox Business Network, FOX Television Network, the NFL, BTN, FS-1, and FS-2. FOX shareholders are essentially getting a tax free sale of the sold FOX properties, and setting up a an IPO of the existing FOX properties at no cost to them.
It's a great business move if it passes anti-trust review. Trump called him today to congratulate him, which is interesting seeing how ATT/Time Warner have hit some DOJ roadblocks.
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In response to this post by HOO86)
Posted: 12/14/2017 at 9:40PM