Warner Bros. Discovery acquires The Hub Network (Discovery Family Channel)
Snapshot
Warner Bros. Discovery acquired The Hub Network (Discovery Family Channel) for NULL (Discovery increased ownership to a 60% controlling position; Hasbro's stake reduced to 40%) in September 2014. The transaction was structured as acquisition of controlling interest (Discovery to 60% ownership / Hasbro to 40%); channel consolidated. The Hub Network (Discovery Family Channel) is a United States (Silver Spring, Md. and Pawtucket, RI)-based U.S. Networks / kids & family business.
- Acquirer
- Warner Bros. Discovery
- Target
- The Hub Network (Discovery Family Channel)
- Value
- NULL (Discovery increased ownership to a 60% controlling position; Hasbro's stake reduced to 40%)
- Date
- September 2014
- Type
- full acquisition
- Status
- ready
The deal at a glance
About this deal
Warner Bros. Discovery acquired The Hub Network (Discovery Family Channel) for NULL (Discovery increased ownership to a 60% controlling position; Hasbro's stake reduced to 40%), a transaction announced in September 2014, structured as acquisition of controlling interest (Discovery to 60% ownership / Hasbro to 40%); channel consolidated.
The Hub Network (Discovery Family Channel) operates in U.S. Networks / kids & family, is based in United States (Silver Spring, Md. and Pawtucket, RI). Discovery Communications took a 60% controlling ownership position in the joint-venture network previously known as The Hub Network (a venture with Hasbro), rebranding it Discovery Family Channel effective October 13, 2014. The network broadened its programming to serve families in primetime while continuing to showcase Hasbro Studios' children's content in daytime, and was consolidated and managed by Discovery.
Discovery Communications and Hasbro announced The Hub Network would become Discovery Family Channel effective October 13, 2014, with Discovery Communications taking a 60% ownership position in the channel and Hasbro's stake decreasing to 40%. The network would be consolidated and managed by Discovery, broadening its primetime family focus while retaining Hasbro Studios' daytime children's content.
Taking majority control of the kids-and-family channel let Discovery consolidate the network, control its programming direction, and add a family-focused brand to its U.S. portfolio while retaining Hasbro's content pipeline. Rebranded Discovery Family Channel under Group President Henry Schleiff; Tom Cosgrove named GM; consolidated and managed by Discovery
No advisory firms have been disclosed for this transaction.