The Split Between Disney and Miramax Gets a Little Wider

[cal04]

For the first time since buying the art-house studio Miramax in 1993, Michael D. Eisner, the chief executive of the Walt Disney Company, is willing to consider selling the division back to it founders and co-chairmen, Harvey and Bob Weinstein, according to close associates.

Although the working relationship between Mr. Eisner and the independent-minded Weinstein brothers has never been particularly smooth, that Mr. Eisner is entertaining such an option represents a shift in his and the company's thinking. Mr. Eisner, according to friends and executives who have discussed the issue with him, has reached this point because of accumulated aggravation with the Weinstein brothers, most recently a dispute over whether Miramax could distribute "Fahrenheit 9/11," the Michael Moore documentary strongly critical of President Bush.

Miramax's future came up at a recent two-day retreat of Disney directors where, as part of a review of the various divisions, the board discussed several alternatives, which included selling or keeping the unit, said two people who attended the meeting.


http://www.nytimes.com/2004/06/07/business/media/07disney.html?hp

[1monster]

1. Eisner just keeps screwing up.

He was the fair-haired boy for so long because Disney was going from strength to strength at the beginning of Eisner's tenure. That was probably because of all of the wonderfully creative people who were in place when Eisner took over as Chairman and CEO.

Many of those people have since left Disney, disgusted with Eisner and his many major mistakes.

If Eisner sells Mirimax back to the Weinsteins, I might just sell my Disney stock and reinvest in Mirimax...

[Zinfandel]

2. Just keep boycotting Disney and all it's products!

Bugs Bunny instead of Mickey Mouse.