Disney Sells Stake in A+E Networks to Hearst for $1.2 Billion
Disney has agreed to sell its interest in A+E Networks to Hearst for $1.2 billion, reshaping ownership of the joint venture.
Disney has agreed to sell its ownership interest in A+E Networks to Hearst for $1.2 billion, according to the source reporting the deal. The transaction would give Hearst full control of the joint cable-programming venture the two companies have shared for decades.
What the deal covers
A+E Networks is the parent company of cable channels including A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice TV, among others. By completing the purchase, Hearst would take full ownership of the portfolio, while Disney would exit its minority stake in the channels it helped create. The reported price of $1.2 billion reflects the value assigned to Disney's share in the venture.
Background and context
The two media companies formed A+E Networks in the 1980s as a joint venture combining their cable holdings. Over the years, the channel group expanded aggressively into unscripted programming, reality series, and documentary content, becoming one of the larger non-fiction cable operators in the United States. The sale comes as the broader media industry continues to reshape its portfolios in response to shifting viewer habits and the rise of streaming.
For Disney, divesting its A+E interest would free up capital and reduce exposure to traditional cable networks, a sector that has faced sustained pressure from cord-cutting and declining advertising revenue. Hearst, which already operates a diverse portfolio of television stations, magazines, and digital properties, would gain direct control over a sizable cable programming library. Read more coverage of Disney's recent moves and investor activity around the company.
- Deal value: $1.2 billion for Disney's stake in A+E Networks
- Buyer: Hearst, which already co-owned the joint venture
- Key channels involved: A&E, History, Lifetime, and Vice TV
Neither Disney nor Hearst have publicly confirmed additional financial details or a closing timeline beyond what the initial report described. The transaction remains subject to customary regulatory review.