Television Disney, Hearst, NBC joint cable deal

[Tom Morrow]

Disney, Hearst, NBC near joint cable deal

Disney, Hearst, NBC in talks on cable joint venture Reuters The Walt Disney Co, Hearst Corp and NBC Universal are in talks to create a new corporate entity comprising the 10 cable channels the three companies own jointly, including A&E, Lifetime and History. Representatives for both Disney Media Networks and Hearst confirmed the talks but declined to provide details. Media trade publication Broadcasting & Cable reported on Wednesday that the three partners were close to a deal to create a joint venture that would hold the three popular cable channels, plus Lifetime Movie Networks, Lifetime Real Women, Biography Channel, History International, History on Espanol, Military History, and Crime and Investigation. The new joint venture would be expected to eventually buy out NBC Universal and create economies of scale at the 10 channels that would lower costs, people familiar with the matter said. by Gina Keating, editing by Bob Tourtellotte complete article

Submitted by Ezra

[Wedbliss]

The new joint venture would be expected to eventually buy out NBC Universal and create economies of scale at the 10 channels that would lower costs, people familiar with the matter said.

That's a pretty interesting statement. So a joint venture in which Disney is a partner might end up owning NBC Universal? Wow. It's strange that this statement is just sort of slipped into the article when it seems to me that this goal would be the primary reason for the entire venture.

[Executioner]

OK so I am a tad confused. Did they just say they want to become allies to destroy NBC Universal? LOL

I too am wondering why they stated that in the article. Interesting though. Joint venture to get more channels.

[Wedbliss]

After reading this again I think that the article is only refering to Disney and Hearst buying out NBC Universal from this venture, not buying NBC Universal outright. Oops...

[Executioner]

^ I got ya.. That makes more sense. The article is written a bit awkwardly. Thanks for clearing that up.

[Tom Morrow]

Disney/Hearst joint venture buys out Lifetime

A&E cable network buys out Lifetime Reuters Walt Disney Co, Hearst Corp and NBC Universal said on Thursday that their jointly owned A&E Television Networks group will buy Lifetime Entertainment Services for an undisclosed sum. Lifetime is a joint venture of Disney and Hearst. NBC Universal owns other women-oriented cable channels, such as Bravo and Oxygen. The companies said the move was a bid to consolidate three of the leading cable networks under the single management of AETN Chief Executive Abbe Raven. The company said in a statement that the business combination is expected to yield substantial cost efficiencies, as well as opportunities for cross promotion. by Gina Keating and Yinka Adegoke and edited by Richard Chang complete article

Submitted by Ezra