Who Owns History Channel?

The History Channel is a global pay television network based in New York. It was created in 1995 by A+E Networks and its CEO, Nickolas Davatzes, to broadcast history-based, social-science documentaries and news. The network pivoted into reality television programming in the late 2000s. By Feb 2015, the History Channel reached 96 million American households, or 82.6% of households with television.

The network operates the flagship History Channel for US viewers and localized versions in Canada, India, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America. In Oct 2023, the History Channel Africa launched “My History Moments.”

This short-form series features pivotal moments with historical significance in the lives of iconic South Africans, like Vusi Thembekwayo, Dawie Roodt, John Robbie, Malcolm Gooding, and Yvonne Chaka Chaka. [1]

History Channel is renowned for sharing stories that educate viewers on crucial societies’ turning points. The network uses its platforms and partners to recognize individuals who contributed to their communities or countries. In Nov 2023, The History Channel launched its Veterans Day programming, sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP).

The TV network featured custom content across linear, digital, and social platforms to commemorate and honor America’s heroes. The History Channel is committed to US veterans and organizations supporting military families. [2]

The History Channel partners with award-winning producers and media companies to deliver the best content. In Mar 2023, the network greenlighted “Kevin Costner’s The West,” hosted by Academy Award-winner Kevin Costner. This documentary was produced by Pulitzer Prize-winner Doris Kearns Goodwin and Academy Award-winning production firm RadicalMedia. The series captures the Wild West’s spirit of opportunity, adventure, and peril.

But who owns the History Channel? [3]

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Who is History Channel’s Parent Company?

The History Channel is the flagship channel owned by A&E Networks, a New York-based multinational broadcasting company founded in 1984. A&E Networks, or A+E Networks, is a 50-50 joint venture (JV) between Disney-ABC Television Group and Hearst.

In Jan 2024, A+E Networks realigned its ad sales team to bolster its digital, multiplatform, and data-driven capabilities. The parent company hired Toby Byrne as executive VP of national ad sales, with four new VPs: April Denn, Jeff Gocel, Lindsey Quinn, and Rob Duke. [4]

A+E Networks’ media brands include A&E, Lifetime, The History Channel, LMN, FYI, and VICE TV. A+E Studios offers scripted production, while Six West Media, Category 6, and A&E IndieFilms provide unscripted content.

A+E Networks’ channels reach over 414 million households in 200 territories in 40 languages. In Nov 2023, Disney CEO Bob Iger announced cost-cutting plans for A+E Networks. The company’s linear TV strategy includes bundling the History Channel and Lifetime with A&E. [5]

A+E Networks distributes content through branded channels, watch apps, games, AVOD, SVOD, and podcasts such as History This Week. The A+E Consumer Enterprises division offers live events like HISTORY Travel and HISTORYTalks.

In Jun 2023, the parent company expanded its streaming channels into new international markets. A+E EMEA launched HISTORY Play and Crime+Investigation Play on Prime Video Channels in Sweden and Poland. [6]

A+E Networks collaborates with reputable media houses to expand its channels’ reach. Its international division works with national production companies to create custom content for local viewers. In Oct 2023, A+E expanded its collaboration with Germany’s Seven.One Entertainment Group. The multi-year deal gives the German media giant access to A&E, Lifetime, FYI, and The History Channel content. Seven.One Entertainment will broadcast these channels to international viewers across its platforms. [7]

History Channel’s Ownership History

History Channel traces its origin to Nickolas Davatzes, who played a prime role in creating the cable television network. Davatzes was president and CEO of A+E Networks from 1983 to 2005 as a joint venture of Hearst Corp and Disney-ABC Television Group. He established the A&E network before introducing the History Channel in 1995.

As A+E chief exec, Davatzes advocated for educational and public affairs programming. Nickolas Davatzes died in Aug 2021 at 79 years old. [8]

A&E and its CEO started planning for a history channel in 1993. The company acquired the Lou Reda Productions’ history-based library for the Hearst Documentaries archive.

A+E Networks launched the History Channel in the US and UK in 1995 before expanding it into Brazil, the Nordic and Baltic regions, and Canada through partner TV stations. The parent company established History International. In 1998, A+E created a US landmarks tour service with Mayflower Tours. [9]

The History Channel retained its original logo from 1995 to 2008. Its 2008 rebranding effort included a new logo and a redesigned “H” trademark. The History Channel dropped “The” and “Channel,” shortening its name to “HISTORY.” In 2023, A+E Networks refreshed the History Channel’s logo and brand identity. The rebranding started in the US and rolled out internationally, reaching A+E’s EMEA division in Mar 2023. [10]

The History Channel ownership changed in 2012 when Walt Disney and Hearst acquired A+E in a 50-50 split. This deal put the network under joint ownership. In 2020, the History Channel and Variety partnered to broadcast their “Variety Salute to Service” special.

This program honors the contributions of veterans and military families around Veterans Day and throughout the year. The two media houses partnered again in 2021, 2022, and 2023. Marine Corps veteran Montel Williams hosted the 2023 Variety Salute to Service. [11]

History Channel’s Shareholder Structure

The History Channel consists of division of A+E Networks, a 50-50 joint venture of Walt Disney and Hearst Corp. Disney owns 50% of History Channel’s parent company, A+E Networks, and Hearst holds the remaining 50%. Walt Disney is an NYSE-listed public company.

As of Dec 2023, the Walt Disney Company had 1,853,305,817 Stock A shares with one vote. This figure includes 1,832,990,522 free-float shares and 19 million company-owned shares. [12]

Walt Disney’s shareholder structure includes institutions. They own 47.1% of the company. As of Dec 2023, Vanguard Group was Disney’s largest shareholder, with 7.8%. This figure represents 151 million shares. BlackRock is Disney’s second-largest shareholder with 4.2%, followed by State Street at 4.1%, Geode Capital at 1.9%, and Trian Partners at 1.8%. Retail shareholders, including individual investors for the general public, own 33.1% of the Walt Disney Company. [13]

Disney’s shareholder structure has several insiders, like the CEO, CFO, COO, and directors. As of Jan 2024, Christine McCarthy was Disney’s top insider shareholder with 207,788 shares. McCarthy joined Disney in 2000 and served as the company’s Treasurer and CFO. CEO Bob Iger owned 204,899 shares as of Jan 2024.

He served as Disney’s Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board. Both top insider shareholders own around 0.01% of the company’s shares. [14]

Hearst is a private mass media and business info company founded by William Hearst. It has a 50% stake in History Channel’s parent organization, A+E Networks. The Hearst family owns and manages Hearst Corp. In Feb 2024, the Hearst family was worth $22.4 billion and ranked #14 on Forbes’ 2024 America’s Richest Families list. The founder’s grandson, William R. Hearst III, is the company’s Chairman. [15]

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