The Walt Disney Company is reportedly pondering selling ABC, with Nexstar Media Group being a possible buyer. However, NewsNation’s parent company might not be the lone suitor, as Allen Media Group is also in the mix and has a bid lined up.
An Allen and Allen Media Group spokesman confirmed that the media mogul has made a $10 billion offer for ABC and other linear networks owned by Disney.
The Allen bid is for the ABC Television Network, the eight ABC-owned television stations, and cable networks, including FX and National Geographic.
Bloomberg reported on Thursday that Nexstar Media Group and Disney are in the preliminary stages and have not yet discussed a potential sale price for ABC. The outlet adds that Nexstar is only interested in purchasing the television station if the price is suitable.
Furthermore, with talks over a possible sale by Disney, ABC News staffers are reportedly on edge. CNN’s Oliver Darcy reports that those inside the news outlet had a “feeling of dread and trepidation” over the reported talks with Nexstar.
“Everyone is freaking the f**k out,” one ABC News employee told Darcy, while another said, “It’s all anyone at work is talking about.”
Disney is considering strategic alternatives for its TV business, but no sale decision has been made yet.
Eduardo Razo is the Assistant Content Editor for BNM, which includes writing daily news stories on the news media industry. He can be found on Twitter @eddierazo_ or you can reach him by email at eddie1991razo@gmail.com.
