Disney to Sell Its 50% Stake in A+E Global Media to Hearst in Deal Valued at More Than $1 Billion, Deadline Reports

Disney is preparing to sell its 50% ownership stake in A+E Global Media to Hearst, with Deadline reporting that the agreement is expected to be worth more than $1 billion and structured as an all-cash transaction. Deadline said the pending deal is being finalized and that the announcement is anticipated for Disney’s earnings call next week.

The report identifies the transaction as Disney shedding a linear media asset, reflecting a broader shift away from certain traditional broadcast and cable holdings. A+E Global Media is the joint venture platform through which A+E Networks operates internationally, a structure that has made Disney’s stake a significant part of its distribution footprint beyond the United States.

Deadline said initial word of the pending transaction circulated through the media industry before the company’s formal disclosure, including a tweet by analyst Rich Greenfield. The tweet, according to Deadline, helped prompt expectations that Disney would soon confirm the transaction details publicly.

While Deadline characterized the value as “north of $1 billion,” it did not provide additional breakdowns such as whether any regulatory steps were already completed or the exact timing of when the stake transfer would close. Deadline also described the transaction as all-cash, a term that typically indicates the seller would receive payment directly rather than through stock-for-stock considerations.

The expected timing matters for both investors and media watchers because Disney earnings calls often serve as the first formal venue for transaction confirmations, financial treatment, and any guidance adjustments. Deadline said the company plans to reveal the deal during that next-week window, suggesting that additional details, including the accounting impact and the final purchase price, may be provided then.

If completed as described, Disney’s move would reduce the company’s involvement in A+E’s global distribution business. For the wider culture and media ecosystem, such changes can affect ownership stakes in international channels and the governance structure of the joint venture, even when programming lineups and operations continue under the venture’s day-to-day management.

Hearst, the buyer identified by Deadline, is already a major media operator with experience in publishing and broadcast-adjacent platforms. A transaction of this magnitude would typically require final contractual documentation and, depending on regulatory review requirements, could also involve scrutiny from competition authorities, although Deadline did not specify any regulators or filing status in its report.

Until Disney provides formal confirmation, details such as the final stated purchase price, closing conditions, and any impact on existing distribution agreements are expected to remain uncertain. Deadline’s report positions the earnings-call announcement as the next milestone for public disclosure.