Does Disney Own Rotten Tomatoes?
As the leading entertainment news and review aggregator, Rotten Tomatoes has become a go-to destination for movie and TV show enthusiasts. But have you ever wondered who owns this beloved website? As it turns out, the answer might surprise you. In this article, we’ll delve into the history of Rotten Tomatoes, its acquisition, and its current ownership status.
The Early Years: Birth of Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes was founded in 1998 by Senh Duong, Patrick Lee, and Stephen Wang. The website was initially an email-based review aggregation platform, where users could submit their movie reviews and ratings. The name "Rotten Tomatoes" came from the idea that rotten tomatoes would be a universal symbol for bad movies. The site quickly gained popularity, and by 2000, it had become a reliable source for movie reviews and ratings.
Acquisition by News Corp (2004-2016)
In 2004, News Corp, a media conglomerate owned by Rupert Murdoch, acquired Rotten Tomatoes for an undisclosed sum. During this period, Rotten Tom Critics’ Consensus score (formerly known as the Tomatometer) was introduced, which aggregated reviews from professional critics to determine a film’s overall "freshness." This innovation solidified Rotten Tomatoes’ position as a leading entertainment review aggregator.
Acquisition by Flixster (2009-2016)
In 2009, Flixster, a movie recommendation platform, purchased Rotten Tomatoes for $25 million. Flixster changed the website’s focus, transforming it into a more comprehensive entertainment platform, including user-generated content, ratings, and reviews. This acquisition also marked the introduction of the Critics’ Consensus score, which gauged the performance of a film based on professional reviews.
Acquisition by The Walt Disney Company (2016-present)
On October 6, 2016, The Walt Disney Company acquired Flixster and its subsidiaries, including Rotten Tomatoes, for $150 million. This deal solidified Disney’s presence in the digital entertainment space, allowing them to expand their reach and influence in the film industry.
Current Ownership Structure
So, to answer the original question: does Disney own Rotten Tomatoes? The answer is yes. As of 2016, The Walt Disney Company acquired Rotten Tomatoes as part of its Flixster deal. This means that Disney has full ownership and control over the Rotten Tomatoes brand, its content, and its operations.
Key Points to Note
• Rotten Tomatoes was founded in 1998 by Senh Duong, Patrick Lee, and Stephen Wang.
• News Corp acquired Rotten Tomatoes in 2004.
• Flixster purchased Rotten Tomatoes in 2009 for $25 million.
• Disney acquired Flixster, including Rotten Tomatoes, in 2016 for $150 million.
• Disney has full ownership and control over Rotten Tomatoes, its content, and operations.
Conclusion
Today, Rotten Tomatoes is one of the most trusted sources for movie and TV show reviews, with over 10,000 titles currently listed. Disney’s ownership has had a significant impact on the website’s growth and expansion, as well as its ability to leverage Disney’s vast resources and network. As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, Rotten Tomatoes remains a vital component, offering a platform for diverse voices and opinions to share their perspectives on the latest movies and TV shows.
Table: Rotten Tomatoes’ Acquisition History
| Acquired by | Year | Price (Millions) |
|---|---|---|
| News Corp | 2004 | – |
| Flixster | 2009 | 25 |
| The Walt Disney Company | 2016 | 150 |
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