Disney is selling its 50% stake in A+E Global Media to joint venture partner Hearst Communications in an all-cash deal worth over $1 billion, according to reports. The transaction is expected to be announced at Disney's earnings call next week. A+E Global Media owns cable networks A&E, History, Lifetime, and FYI, as well as A+E Studios. Disney and Hearst launched a sale process last year through Wells Fargo. Whilst profitable and debt-free, A+E Global has faced declining linear viewership like other cable networks. The company has adapted through early adoption of FAST channels and owns much of its content library. A+E Global Media President and Chairman Paul Buccieri will continue leading the company. This marks Disney's first major move to reduce its traditional television footprint.

Chptr, a company building distribution infrastructure for community stories, has raised $5.5 million in Series A funding led by CityRock. Tribute Technology participated, alongside strategic partnerships with iHeartMedia, Sinclair and Hearst. The New York-based startup delivers time-sensitive local content across television, radio and digital platforms within 24 hours. Chptr is now live in 132 US television markets and has delivered thousands of localised broadcasts. Starting with end-of-life memorial content sourced from funeral homes, the company uses human-reviewed AI for formatting and production whilst maintaining data privacy. Founded in 2020, Chptr will use the funding to expand into remaining US markets, deepen broadcast integrations and develop additional time-sensitive content categories beyond memorials.