Disney Studios announces acquirement of Game of Thrones series and upcoming program changes
April 1, 2015
Disney Studios announced today that after weeks of tense negotiations with HBO, they have acquired the television rights to the popular fantasy series, Games of Thrones. The series, an adaptation of the bestselling novels by George R.R. Martin, has proved to be one of the highest-viewed shows of all time for any network and it has been attributed to resurrecting HBO's reputation for quality programming for adult audiences.
Studio execs for Disney confirm that the deal cost them more a few more million dollars than expected, but that they were willing to pay the hefty sum for the exciting opportunity to put their influential mark on what they admit has become "an intelligent cultural phenomenon." They also further acknowledged the timing of the finalized negotiations gives them time to bring in writers more experienced with story twists and characters that are in line with what Disney fans expect.
One executive that wishes to remain anonymous said, "I wouldn't say Disney seeks to make the series trite and predictable and utterly white-washed of its original artistic integrity; but bound by the silence clause in my employment contract, I will let the viewers decide. What I can say is that Billy Ray Cyrus is returning our calls about a lucrative role."
HBO has declined to comment about the intricacies of the deal, but they acknowledge some GOT fans may be disappointed.
"It is not everyday a major network is willing to sell out the last shred of integrity they have," a network spokesperson said. "But the bottom line is money talks, and the fans will just have to suck it up."
Author George R.R. Martin has not yet released a statement on how he feels about Disney gaining artistic control of the show, but HBO representatives acknowledge they have not heard from him since network security guards saw him off on vacation plans some days ago.
"We have no doubts Mr. Martin feels delighted," the spokesperson said, "from whatever kingdom he may have been headed to on that Germanwings flight."
Reported by
April Fool
Disney Studios announced today that after weeks of tense negotiations with HBO, they have acquired the television rights to the popular fantasy series, Games of Thrones. The series, an adaptation of the bestselling novels by George R.R. Martin, has proved to be one of the highest-viewed shows of all time for any network and it has been attributed to resurrecting HBO's reputation for quality programming for adult audiences.
Studio execs for Disney confirm that the deal cost them more a few more million dollars than expected, but that they were willing to pay the hefty sum for the exciting opportunity to put their influential mark on what they admit has become "an intelligent cultural phenomenon." They also further acknowledged the timing of the finalized negotiations gives them time to bring in writers more experienced with story twists and characters that are in line with what Disney fans expect.
One executive that wishes to remain anonymous said, "I wouldn't say Disney seeks to make the series trite and predictable and utterly white-washed of its original artistic integrity; but bound by the silence clause in my employment contract, I will let the viewers decide. What I can say is that Billy Ray Cyrus is returning our calls about a lucrative role."
HBO has declined to comment about the intricacies of the deal, but they acknowledge some GOT fans may be disappointed.
"It is not everyday a major network is willing to sell out the last shred of integrity they have," a network spokesperson said. "But the bottom line is money talks, and the fans will just have to suck it up."
Author George R.R. Martin has not yet released a statement on how he feels about Disney gaining artistic control of the show, but HBO representatives acknowledge they have not heard from him since network security guards saw him off on vacation plans some days ago.
"We have no doubts Mr. Martin feels delighted," the spokesperson said, "from whatever kingdom he may have been headed to on that Germanwings flight."
Reported by
April Fool