Advanced Television

Amazon may bid for Disney regional sport nets

November 21, 2018

Amazon has reportedly submitted bids to acquire 22 regional sports networks from Disney – a move that would help it expand its footprint in the sporting world.

Disney is being forced to sell off a number of networks, including the YES Network, which broadcasts New York Yankees baseball games, as part of its $71.3 billion (€62.5bn) deal with 21st Century Fox.

CNBC reported Amazon was among several bidders bids for the networks, that show a variety of professional US sports leagues, including MLB, the NBA and the NHL.

Other bidders are said to include KKR, Sinclair Broadcasting Group and the Blackstone Group. The streamlined Fox, which includes Fox Business, Fox News and Fox Sports, could emerge as a bidder when second-round bids are submitted later this year.

Disney, which is buying 21st Century Fox’s film and television assets, has said it would divest Fox’s regional sports networks as part of its agreement with the US Department of Justice. Reuters said sources had suggested the networks up for sale could be worth as much as $20 billion.

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