Disney to Divest 50% Stake in A+E Networks to Hearst

Disney is preparing to divest its 50% equity interest in A+E Global Media to its joint venture partner, Hearst. The transaction is valued at over $1 billion and will grant Hearst full ownership of the entity.

The divestment aligns with broader industry trends of legacy media companies consolidating assets to streamline operations. The deal is expected to be finalized next week, with a formal announcement scheduled to coincide with Disney’s quarterly earnings report on August 5.

This move marks the conclusion of a decade-long partnership between the two firms regarding the cable-focused programmer. The transition to sole ownership by Hearst represents a significant shift in the governance structure of the network group.