Hearst to Purchase Disney's Half of A+E Global Media for $1.2 Billion
Hearst has agreed to buy Disney’s 50% stake in A+E Global Media for $1.2 billion, giving it full ownership of the Lifetime, History and A&E brands.
Hearst announced a $1.2 billion cash deal to acquire Disney’s 50% share of A+E Global Media, the parent of Lifetime, History Channel, A&E Network and related digital assets. The partnership, which has existed for more than ten years, will end with Hearst taking complete control, while Disney’s unrelated 18% stake in one outlet remains unchanged. The agreement is slated to close in September, and Paul Buccieri will continue as president and chairman of the company.
The purchase brings a suite of linear channels, production units such as A+E Studios and A+E Factual Studio, and a range of streaming and FAST services under Hearst’s umbrella. Hearst’s CEO Steven R. Swartz thanked Disney for the long-standing collaboration and expressed confidence in the brands’ future growth. The move positions Hearst as a major national media player beyond its traditional print and local-TV operations.
Why it matters
The deal gives Hearst full control of major cable brands, reshaping the U.S. media ownership landscape.
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