Hearst has finalised a deal to buy Disney's 50% stake in A+E Global Media for $1.2 billion in cash, giving Hearst full ownership of the company behind Lifetime, History Channel and A&E Network. The agreement ends a 50-50 partnership that had lasted more than a decade and represents a significant expansion of Hearst's presence in national media, building on its existing newspaper, magazine and 35-strong local television station holdings. It comes as traditional pay-TV businesses face mounting pressure from cord-cutting and the shift to streaming, with A+E having sought to diversify its revenue base under president and chairman Paul Buccieri, who is staying on once the deal closes.

Disney and Hearst put A+E Global Media up for sale in July 2025, with Starz reportedly among the outside parties that considered it, though it is unclear whether any rival bid progressed formally. The transaction, expected to close in September, is separate from Hearst's roughly 18% stake in ESPN, which is unaffected. The deal covers channels including Lifetime Movie Network, FYI and Vice TV, as well as content units such as A+E Studios, A+E Factual Studio and A&E IndieFilms, plus streaming and FAST services including History Vault and Lifetime Movie Club. Both companies' executives framed the sale as an amicable conclusion to the long-running partnership, with Hearst pledging continued support for A+E's existing leadership and brands.