Overview
- Reporting says Disney is finalizing a sale of its 50% stake in A+E Global Media to co-owner Hearst in an all-cash deal believed to be worth more than $1 billion, though companies have not issued official statements.
- News outlets say the transaction is expected to be announced at Disney’s next earnings call and that the account of the deal traces to Deadline reporting and a tweet from industry analyst Rich Greenfield.
- A+E Global Media owns A&E, the History and Lifetime channels plus FYI and A+E Studios, and it is described in reports as currently profitable, largely debt-free and strengthened by owned content and early use of FAST channels.
- Paul Buccieri, A+E Global’s president and chairman, is reported to remain in charge of the business under Hearst leadership, and the sale follows a year-long process that began with Wells Fargo advising on options.
- The move marks a visible step in Disney’s pullback from some linear-TV holdings and could concentrate control of legacy cable brands at Hearst while restarting questions about Disney’s broader linear-network strategy.