A&E Buys Lifetime

Disney/ABC, Hearst and NBC Universal announced Thursday an agreement for A&E to acquire Lifetime Entertainment Services. The confirmation of the long-rumored purchase puts Abbe Raven, president and CEO of A&E, in charge of the combined company following the closing of the deal, which is expected to occur this year. Lifetime president and CEO Andrea Wong will continue to head Lifetime and report to Raven.

A&E and Biography president and GM Robert DeBitetto will continue to run his networks, while reporting to Raven, as will History Channel president and GM Nancy Dubuc. The parent company will retain the name A&E Television Network, with its subsidiary retaining the name Lifetime Entertainment Services.

AETN will now include: A&E Network, History Channel, Lifetime Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Biography, History International, Lifetime Real Women, History en Espanol, Military History and Crime & Investigation Network.