Hearst to Acquire Disney’s 50% Stake in A+E Global Media for $1.2 Billion

Hearst announced an agreement to purchase Disney’s half-interest in A+E Global Media for approximately $1.2 billion in cash. The transaction is slated to close in September. Upon completion, A+E Global Media—owner of the A&E, History, Lifetime and FYI cable brands, as well as related studios and streaming services—will become a wholly owned Hearst business within its Entertainment group.

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A+E Global Media traces its origins to the 1984 launch of the Arts & Entertainment Network. Over the decades it expanded to include the History Channel (1995) and Lifetime (2009), evolving into a multi-platform content provider. Disney and Hearst each held a 50% stake for more than a decade after buying out NBCUniversal’s minority interest in 2012. The partnership began exploring a sale in July 2025, hiring Wells Fargo to market the asset.

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The company reaches more than 414 million households across 200 territories in 40 languages. While linear viewership has declined, A+E Global Media remains profitable and debt-free, a status credited to early adoption of FAST (Free-Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels and a robust content library. Hearst also operates 35 local TV stations and holds an ?18% stake in Disney’s ESPN, which is unaffected by this deal.

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Steven R. Swartz, president and CEO of Hearst, thanked Disney for “decades of successful partnership” and said Hearst will support Paul Buccieri and the A+E leadership team in continuing “must-see programs” and brand innovation.

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• “In a media environment defined by fragmentation, A+E Global Media’s advantage is the strength and versatility of our brands, our strong partnerships and our vast library of owned assets,” — Paul Buccieri, chairman

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• “We thank our Disney colleagues for decades of successful partnership,” — Steven R. Swartz, president and CEO

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