A&E Networks, Parent Company For The History Channel Currently Seen On DStv Is Up For Sale

The parent company of A&E Network, History and Lifetime is joining the growing list of cable channels that are being sold or divested by their studio parent company. NBCUniversal is preparing to divest MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network and four more linear channels. Warner Bros. Discovery also plans a similar separation from a clutch of linear cable assets: CNN, TNT, TBS, Discovery, Food Network, HGTV, TruTV and more.

A+E Global Media (which was formerly known as A+E Networks) is owned as a 50-50 joint venture by the Walt Disney Co. and Hearst. Disney and Hearst recently tapped the investment banking arm of Wells Fargo to handle a sale process.

Sources stressed that there’s no certainty that A+E Global Media will be sold entirely or in part. But with the market conditions that have developed in recent months, Disney and Hearst are motivated to see who may come after A+E’s lifestyle and unscripted outlets. The list of linear channels includes Lifetime Movie Network, FYI and Vice TV. The assets also encompass content units A+E Studios, A+E Factual Studio, A&E IndieFilms, A+E Global Media Digital as well as streaming apps, games, FAST channels, AVOD and subscription-video services Crime 360, Lifetime Movie Club and History Vault.

A+E Global Media is a rare example of a sizable media company that is privately held. The company does not disclose its financial results.

Representatives for A+E, Disney, Hearst and Wells Fargo declined to comment for this story.

The move to nail up a “for sale” sign on A+E’s properties comes as NBCU and WBD are looking to slim down their asset bases and balance sheets by spinning off collections of cable channels that were once marquee properties. But even established traditional cable channels are struggling amid cord-cutting and the rise of streaming.

NBCUniversal is keeping only Bravo out of its eight linear cable channels to help fuel Peacock. WBD will be a significantly smaller company once it is built around the Warner Bros. movie and TV studios, HBO and streamer HBO Max, and gaming division. In announcing plans for a complicated restructuring to separate WBD into two entities – one for Global Networks, the other for Studios and Streaming — WBD nodded to the potential for the channels to be scooped up in a cable rollup. Post-split, both sides of WBD will be better equipped “to be faster and more aggressive in pursuing opportunities that strengthen their competitive positions,” WBD said in its June 9 news release.

A+E Global Media’s well-known brands could be an attractive dance partner for the either the WBD Global Networks divestment or for Versant, the new corporate moniker for NBCU’s spun-off cable channels. The Versant transaction is expected to be done by year’s end. WBD projected a mid-2026 closing for its separation. A+E brands have the benefit of owning outright the bulk of their studio libraries over three and four decades.

Disney has been an outlier among its traditional studio peers. Mouse House leaders in recent months have articulated that the company has found a good rhythm in using linear TV assets to drive content to Disney+ and Hulu. CEO Bob Iger last month said ESPN, ABC, Freeform and Disney’s eight owned-and-operated ABC stations are engines for the company’s expansive streaming platforms.

A+E Global Media channels have never been woven into Disney’s larger channel group, even has Disney has built out its streaming offerings. There’s been speculation for some time that the A+E channels would be part of a sales process. Disney and Hearst both have significant wholly owned linear TV assets that are not connected to the focused sale effort around A+E Networks.

A&E Network, Lifetime and History have bucked the general trend of slashed programming budgets for other cable outlets facing steady audience erosion. Lifetime in recent years as doubled down on its volume of original telefilms. History has upped the production value and promotion around its marquee documentaries and series.

Under president Paul Buccieri, A+E has made the most of its deep library by establishing FAST channels and licensing programs around the world. Buccieri, a seasoned producer and programming executive, joined A+E in 2015 as president of A&E Network and History. He was upped to president of A+E Networks Group in 2018.

The company has its roots in the fertile ground of early 1980s cable in New York. A&E Network and Lifetime were launched in early 1984 at a time when the overall cable channel lineup was still pretty thin. History Channel followed in 1995. All three channels have yielded numerous spinoffs over the years.

For its first 20 years, A&E Networks was jointly owned by ABC, NBC and Hearst. When Comcast acquired NBCUniversal from General Electric in 2011, the cable giant had to sell off its stake in A&E Networks to comply with federal merger conditions.

Cruz Afrika Launches New Show On Moja Love

Cruz Afrika calls for peace between him and rapper Emtee

Ahead of his release for his single Tau featuring a surprise Motswako rapper, and his reality TV show, Cruz Afrika wants to start on a clean slate - new image, new brand, and calls for peace between him and rapper Emtee.

 

Their beef dates back to 2017. What was meant to be banter turned ugly, and the two rappers fell out. All grown up, no longer looking for clout and hype, rapper Cruz wants to make peace and start afresh.

 

They were once close friends, thick as thieves, and did some work together and have several unreleased songs in their bank. But when rumours surfaced that some people in their circle of friends sacrificed their late friend Swati so they could get ahead, things turned sour. Cruz was fingered as one of the people and instigators at the centre of the conspiracy theory, and accused Emtee of being part of the alleged Illuminati. He came out guns blazing on social media and even released a diss track dedicated to Emtee.  

 

Years have since passed, Cruz, all grown up, has reached out to Emtee wanting to make peace and book him for his concert, the Rusternburg Garden Festival on 25 December 2025. However, Emtee has rejected the offer. Ahead of the concert, Cruz is set to release his single Tau, which he describes as "a mature and better version" of himself.

 

"I've grown up now. I want my music to be wholesome and uplifting. I want to squash the beef with Emtee and start over. I invited him to perform as a guest at my annual Rustenburg Garden Festival event, and he declined. I just want to make amends," Cruz Afrika says.

 

Cruz Afrika’s upcoming relese features a massive Motswako artist whom he will announce in due time. The release comes two years after Cruz Afrika took a break from releasing music.

 

"I took time off from making music because I wanted to focus on my event company and other businesses, but because music is a calling, I had to answer to fans. My supporters kept asking me to drop more new music, so I thought of a comeback.”

 

Tau is set to be released in Spring on 05 September 2025. Cruz Afrika is also set to share his story on Moja LOVE (157) in the reality show Love In The Keys to premiere in August 2025.

Unreleased Animaniacs Video Game Has Surfaced The Net

A playable prototype build of a canceled Game Boy Advance game has recently appeared through a games preservation group, giving fans the chance to try out an unreleased Animaniacs game. While game preservations has been an increasing focus among many fans as older games age and hardware breaks down, canceled games tend to be among the most elusive to preserve. Canceled prototypes resurfacing has often been big news within the gaming industry, like the recent discovery of a prototype build for a canceled LEGO Minecraft game. Now, a long-lost Animaniacs Game Boy Advance game has officially surfaced online.

The Animaniacs animated series was a smash hit following its initial premiere in 1993. The series, following siblings Yakko, Wakko, and Dot, became one of the most successful cartoons of its era, taking home multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and running for five seasons. Animaniacs would even see a revival in 2020, receiving an additional three seasons capturing even more Emmy Awards following the revival's first season. Fans are now getting the chance to see what could have been an Animaniacs GBA game.

As reported by Time Extension, video game preservation group Hidden Palace recently uncovered a prototype build for the canceled Animaniacs: Hollywood Hypnotics. The build features a mix of point-and-click gameplay with platforming segments following the Warner siblings trying to stop Pinky and the Brain from turning their water tower home into a rocket. The game was originally being developed by Conspiracy Entertainment, who later rebranded as Swing Entertainment before dissolving as a whole. Hidden Palace also features an open download for the prototype game, allowing fans to try out the Animaniacs GBA game.

The listing for the prototype game also provides some more background information about the game and its history under Conspiracy. The information about the game shares that the Animaniacs game is still listed on developer Full Fat's website, which was contracted to make the game by Conspiracy. The post even reveals that Animaniacs: Hollywood Hypnotics was complete despite never being released, though the game is said to still be "rough around the edges." Animaniacs: Hollywood Hypnotics was originally intended to release in 2003, notably the same year that Swing Entertainment dissolved.

The playable prototype build of Animaniacs: Hollywood Hypnotics should serve as a major win for game preservationists among high-profile cancellations. Dungeons and Dragons developer Wizards of the Coast reportedly canceled five different in-development games in early 2023, with many believed to be centered around the iconic tabletop RPG. Game cancellation has been a hot topic in recent weeks as well, with long-awaited Minecraft competitor Hytale being shelved by Riot Games and Hypixel Studios. The Animaniacs prototype will breathe new life into a long-forgotten game for the iconic cartoon.

click here for the game

“Be Like Superman”: Cartoon Network Inspires Kids to Embrace Their Inner Hero

This July, Cartoon Network is flying high with a new programming event that’s all about fun, heart, hope, and humour. To celebrate the release of the new Superman movie landing in cinemas on Friday, 11 July, Cartoon Network will air a Teen Titans Go! Meet Superman marathon on the same day, giving kids and families the chance to celebrate their favourite heroes in true super-style. In the lead-up, the channel will also debut brand-new episodes from Season 9 of Teen Titans Go! on Monday, 7 July, setting the stage for a week packed with action, comedy, and inspiration.

 

But this is more than just great TV. The campaign is grounded in a powerful idea: every child can be like Superman. Whether that’s sticking up for a friend, trying again after failing, or simply showing kindness to a pet, kids already embody what makes Superman super. His courage, compassion, and perseverance are values we all recognise. Through a series of playful, high-energy short videos, Cartoon Network invites children to reflect on their own ‘super’ moments, reminding young viewers that they already have what it takes to be great.

Teen Titans Go! follows the hilarious adventures of Robin, Cyborg, Starfire, Raven, and Beast Boy. Sure, they’re still superheroes who save the day, but when the capes come off, they’re just five teens navigating life as roommates. Whether it’s battling boredom, dealing with demon dads, or throwing impromptu meatball parties, these heroes prove that being super doesn’t mean being serious all the time.

 

This July, brand-new episodes from Season 9 introduce fresh faces and laugh-out-loud chaos, including King Shark, a lovable ‘bad guy’ who tags along with the Titans after they help him dislodge a painful tooth. King Shark quickly becomes one of the gang (though he does have a habit of eating people, including Beast Boy). Expect tank-top transformations, a crash course in living the ‘tank life’, and an epic pool battle with Robin.

 

These new episodes premiere on Monday, 7 July, at 16:50, followed by the Teen Titans Go! Meet Superman marathon on Friday, 11 July, from 13:45, only on Cartoon Network (DStv Channel 301). It’s the perfect warm-up for the new Superman movie hitting cinemas the same day.

 

In a world where kids are facing big emotions and complex challenges, Cartoon Network is reminding them that being a hero doesn’t require superpowers; it just takes bravery, kindness, and the willingness to try.

 

Because being like Superman starts with being your best self.

Paramount Global Is Planning To Close Several MTV Channels Globally

End of an era: Popular TV stations will end. Which ones and when?

Music stations that shaped several generations are ending. Their operator no longer counts on them. Only one station should remain on the market.

The end of 2025 will symbolically also mean the end of an era. According to the findings of Živé.sk, many channels under the MTV brand will be canceled in our market, but also in other markets. The stations Club MTV, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, MTV 00s, MTV Hits and the MTV Live HD program will disappear from the screens. The thematic channels Comedy Central and Paramount Network, which are intended for Hungarian-speaking viewers and are also in the packages of local operators, should also end.

The mentioned channels are sold in our market by Axocom. The company could not comment on the end of the programs. "Unfortunately, we do not have this information," said the company's representative Tomáš Holý about the end of the stations.

No advertising, but also without HD quality

For many viewers, MTV music channels were iconic channels. Although they only broadcast in standard definition (with the exception of MTV Live HD), their undisputed advantage was that they did not broadcast commercials in our market.

Viewers could watch music videos without interruption, which is not at all common in television today. However, the channels broadcast in a paid mode.

Stations like MTV 80s or MTV 90s offered non-stop music content from specific decades. MTV programs are distributed by a number of operators on the market. They have an excellent position on the market and it is not clear why their operator decided to cancel the programs.

MTV Europe, which broadcasts in a localized form - with Czech subtitles, should remain on the market. It focuses on music rather marginally, primarily offering reality shows and entertainment content.

The advent of YouTube and streaming services

The demise of these channels is not surprising. With the growing dominance of digital platforms like YouTube, Spotify or Apple Music, the way people consume music has changed dramatically.

YouTube offers music videos in the highest image and sound quality, while the viewer can create their own playlist. The free version offers advertisements.

Streaming services, on the other hand, offer personalized recommendations, exclusive content, and offline modes. Traditional linear music broadcasting is losing its appeal in today's world, especially for younger audiences.

There are still many music TV channels on the market

The departure of MTV channels from the market may help other broadcasters. The Óčko group offers up to four channels - the main Óčko, but also Óčko Star, Óčko Black, and Óčko Expres. All of them are also broadcast in Slovakia in a paid mode.

The programs Rebel, Retro, Mezzo, iConcerts, Šláger, and many others are also available here. Their common disadvantage is that they broadcast a lot of advertising.

This article was originally published by Zive