Overview

• Disney and Hearst formally retained Wells Fargo’s investment banking arm to lead a strategic review of their 50-50 joint venture, A+E Global Media.
• The process will evaluate full or partial sale, merger or other alternatives but does not commit the partners to a deal.
• A+E Global Media was rebranded in March to highlight its global, multiplatform strategy and includes A&E Network, History and Lifetime channels along with digital and FAST assets.
• The move follows similar divestments by NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery as major studios respond to cord-cutting and shifts to streaming.
• Potential suitors may include Warner Bros. Discovery’s Global Networks unit, Comcast’s Versant spin-off and private equity firms.