Disney, Nexstar, held preliminary talks about sale of ABC

[Kirk Van Houten]

Disney, Nexstar, held preliminary talks about sale of ABC

Rumors of a potential sale of ABC by Disney continue to grow, as the company is said to have entered into talks with Nexstar and Byron Allen.

www.sportsmediawatch.com

Bloomberg reported Thursday that Disney has held preliminary talks with both Nexstar and media magnate Byron Allen about a potential sale of ABC and Disney’s owned-and-operated ABC affiliates. Nexstar, which purchased broadcast “netlet” The CW less than a year ago, is the nation’s largest station owner. In response to the Bloomberg story, Disney said that it has made “no decision” about selling ABC or its other linear channels, but is “open to considering a variety of strategic options for our linear businesses.”

Nexstar has been aggressive in trying to enter the live sports space, acquiring rights to LIV Golf, ACC football and — starting in 2025 — the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Acquiring ABC, which has a storied history of sports coverage wholly independent from both ESPN and Disney, would accelerate the company’s sports ambitions whether or not it acquired the sports properties ABC currently shares with ESPN.

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[Big Z Man 1990]

Nexstar buying The CW was bad enough (as to how it affected the primetime programming), we don't need them to buy ABC. Let's hope such a sale is blocked by the Justice Department.