Disney to acquire Marvel Entertainment for $4 billion in cash and stock

October 5th, 2009 Rich Ross named head of Disney studioLOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. on Monday named Disney Channels Worldwide top executive Rich Ross as its movie studios chairman, following a year of disappointing movie results and the abrupt departure of its former chief, Dick Cook.

September 18th, 2009 New era for Disney as studio chief steps downBURBANK, Calif. — A new era has begun for the Walt Disney Co.

September 9th, 2009 Analyst downgrades DreamWorks AnimationLOS ANGELES — An analyst downgraded the shares of DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. on Wednesday, saying speculation it would be bought by a media giant was unfounded.

September 1st, 2009 LONDON - The world of animation entertainment is all set to become much bigger as Walt Disney buys Marvel Entertainment in a 4-billion dollar deal. After the deal is sealed, Disney will be the owner of 5,000 Marvel characters, including superheroes like Spider-Man and the X-Men.

September 1st, 2009 Another chapter written in Marvel's long historyNEW YORK — Iron Man, Captain America and Thor may be nearly invincible, but they can also be bought. In acquiring Marvel Entertainment Inc.

August 31st, 2009 Disney catches comics giant Marvel in a $4B webLOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. is punching its way into the universe of superheroes and their male fans with a deal announced Monday to acquire Marvel Entertainment Inc.

August 31st, 2009 Disney to buy comic book powerhouse Marvel for $4BLOS ANGELES — The Walt Disney Co. is buying Marvel Entertainment Inc.

August 31st, 2009 Huntsman, Walt Disney, Shaw Group are big moversNEW YORK — The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Monday on the New York Stock Exchange: NYSE: Huntsman Corp., up 24 cents at $8.59 The chemical company has offered to pay about $415 million for Tronox Inc.'s titanium dioxide and electrolytics businesses. BJ Services Co., up 63 cents at $16.06 Baker Hughes Inc.

August 31st, 2009 Fitch reiterates Disney ratingsNEW YORK — Fitch Ratings reiterated its ratings for The Walt Disney Co. Monday in the wake of the company's announcement that it will buy Marvel Entertainment Inc.

June 30th, 2009 Disney, Hong Kong reach $465M expansion dealHONG KONG — The Walt Disney Co. and Hong Kong's government have reached a deal to expand the territory's Disneyland theme park at a cost of about $465 million, officials announced Tuesday.

May 6th, 2009 LOS ANGELES - Entertainment conglomerate Disney saw second quarter profits plunge by 46 percent, the company said Tuesday. Citing restructuring charges, declining DVD sales and a drop in advertising, Disney said it earned $613 million in the quarter compared to $1.13 billion a year ago.

April 29th, 2009 Disney to plant 2.7 million trees for 'Earth'LOS ANGELES — Walt Disney Studios is turning box-office cash from its nature documentary "Earth" into seed money to plant trees in the rain forest. Disney had announced it would plant one tree in Brazil's endangered Atlantic rain forest for every viewer who saw the movie during its first week.

April 5th, 2009 LOS ANGELES - The US economic downturn has begun to take its toll on the entertainment industry, with giant Walt Disney Co. axing 1,900 jobs from its theme parks in California and Florida.

March 5th, 2009 LONDON - After the smashing success of its first three instalments, Disney has announced the fourth movie in its hit 'High School Musical' franchise. The new musical will feature an entirely new cast of characters and debut on Disney Channel in 2010, reports contactmusic.com.

February 10th, 2009 MUMBAI - Walt Disney Studios will distribute movies that the Steven Spielberg-promoted DreamWorks Studios produces in partnership with Reliance Big Entertainment, part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. Under the terms of a long-term arrangement, Disney will handle distribution and marketing of approximately six DreamWorks films each year.