NBCU's Stake In A&E Valued At $2.8B For Sale To Hearst, Disney: Report

The value of Comcast and NBC Universal‘s 15% stake in A&E Television Networks has risen following the success of the Hatfields & McCoys. When Comcast disclosed in an SEC filing early in May it was selling at least some of its A&E stake to co-owning partners Disney-ABC and the Hearst Corp, it valued the stake at just over $2 billion, according to the New York Post. Then the Hatfields & McCoys miniseries bowed to spectacular ratings on History, and the value to NBCU of the transaction has risen to $2.8 million. A&E includes the History Channel, Lifetime and A&E. ABC and Hearst each own 42.5% and will split equal parts of NBCU’s stake. The Post said the deal was expected to close during the second quarter but negotiations might take longer. Among other things, haggling continues over retransmission fees Hearst pays Comcast for its NBC-affiliated stations.

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