Skip to navigationSkip to main contentSkip to right columnADVERTISEMENTReutersWed, August 5, 2026 at 1:17 AM GMT+2 1 min readAug 4 (Reuters) - Privately held U.S. media conglomerate Hearst on Tuesday struck a deal to acquire Disney's 50% stake in A+E Global Media for about $1.2 billion in cash, giving it full ownership of the television and content business.Disney's exit from A+E follows the company's efforts to prioritize streaming and ESPN, even as it evaluates the role of some traditional linear TV assets amid declining cable subscriptions.• The transaction is expected to close in September. A+E will then become a wholly owned Hearst business within the company's entertainment group, Hearst said in a statement.• A+E, previously a 50-50 venture between Hearst and Disney, operates television brands including A&E, Lifetime, The History Channel, LMN, FYI and Vice TV. It reaches more than 414 million households across 200 territories in 40 languages.• The company would continue expanding its content business across platforms and international markets following the deal, said Paul Buccieri, A+E's president and chairman.• "We look forward to supporting Paul Buccieri and A+E Global Media's leadership team as they continue to make must-see programs and innovate around the great History, Lifetime and A&E brands," Hearst CEO Steven Swartz said.• Hearst, which also owns an 18% stake in ESPN, has interests spanning television, newspapers, magazines, financial services and healthcare information businesses.(Reporting by Natalia Bueno Rebolledo and Mrinmay Dey in Mexico City; Editing by Shreya Biswas)Terms and Privacy PolicyEU DSA contactPrivacy & Cookie SettingsMore Info