PAUL BUCCIERI NAMED PRESIDENT OF A+E NETWORKS GROUP

Hearst and The Walt Disney Company today announced that Paul Buccieri has been named president of A+E Networks Group after having served as president, A+E Studios and A+E Networks Portfolio Group, since 2016. The announcement was made by Steven R. Swartz, president and CEO of Hearst, and Ben Sherwood, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney|ABC Television. Buccieri will report to the A+E Networks Group's board of directors.

A+E Networks Group is an award-winning, global media content company, cumulatively reaching 335 million people worldwide and more than 500 million digital users, and led by iconic brands including A&E, Lifetime, History, LMN, FYI, VICELAND, A+E Studios, History en Espa�ol, Crime + Investigation Network, Military History, Lifetime Real Women, A&E IndieFilms and A+E Networks International.

In his previous role, Buccieri was responsible for all aspects of A+E Studios and the A+E Networks brand portfolio. During his tenure, he bolstered the strength of the A+E Networks Portfolio Group, entrenching both A&E and History as top 10 networks, and charted a new strategic course for Lifetime. Buccieri was also responsible for all aspects of A+E Studios. Formed in 2014 and with 100+ hours of original owned content, A+E Studios is dedicated to creating, producing and distributing premium scripted programming, as the studio unit for the award-winning global media company, A+E Networks.

In a joint statement, Swartz and Sherwood said, "Paul's successful track record running A+E Studios and overseeing programming at the portfolio of brands, combined with his experience in worldwide production, distribution, syndication and digital, will further propel A+E Networks' momentum. He's a proven leader, strong collaborator and skilled programmer with an eye for identifying trends in the very competitive content marketplace. As we make this announcement, we also thank A+E Acting Chairman Abbe Raven for her leadership during the transition and her assistance in identifying Paul as the network's next leader. Abbe will remain in her role at least through year-end."

Buccieri added, "I want to sincerely thank our board members at Disney and Hearst for offering me this exceptional opportunity to lead A+E Networks during this transformative time in media. I could not be prouder of A+E's powerful brands, strong partnerships and, most importantly, the talented people I get to work with every day. We look forward to expanding on our solid foundation of creativity."

Buccieri joined A+E Networks in 2015 as president, A&E and HISTORY, overseeing all content creation, programming, brand development and marketing for A&E and HISTORY, and their affiliated brands.

Previously, Buccieri served as chairman, ITV Studios U.S. Group and ITV Studios Global Entertainment for the U.K. media company ITV, where he was responsible for building one of the largest independent content producers in the United States. He also led ITV's international television distribution and consumer products business. Prior to joining ITV, Buccieri was president of programming, production and development at Fox Twentieth Television.

About A+E Networks

A+E Networks(R), LLC. is an award-winning, global media content company offering consumers a diverse communications environment ranging from linear channels to websites, gaming, watch apps and educational software. A+E Networks is comprised of A&E(R), Lifetime(R), History(R), LMN(R), FYI(TM), VICELAND, A+E Studios(TM), History en Espan?ol(TM), Crime + Investigation(TM), Military History(TM), Lifetime Real Women(R), A&E IndieFilms(R), A+E Networks International(R), A+E Networks Digital(R), 45th & Dean(TM), and A+E Networks Consumer Products(TM). A+E Networks' channels and branded programming reach more than 335 million households in over 200 territories. A+E Networks, LLC. is a joint venture of Disney|ABC Television and Hearst. Follow us on Twitter at @aenetworks and Facebook at @AENetworks.

About Hearst

Hearst is one of the nation's largest diversified media, information and services companies with more than 360 businesses. Its major interests include ownership in cable television networks such as A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime and ESPN; global financial services leader Fitch Group; Hearst Health, a group of medical information and services businesses; 31 television stations such as WCVB-TV in Boston and KCRA-TV in Sacramento, Calif., which reach a combined 19 percent of U.S. viewers; newspapers such as the Houston Chronicle, San Francisco Chronicle and Albany Times Union, nearly 300 magazines around the world including Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Car and Driver; digital services businesses such as iCrossing and KUBRA; and investments in emerging digital entertainment companies such as Complex Networks. Follow us on Twitter @HearstLive and @Hearst.

About Disney|ABC Television

Disney|ABC Television is comprised of The Walt Disney Company's entertainment and news television properties and radio business. These include The ABC Television Network, which provides entertainment and news programming to viewers via more than 230 affiliated stations across the U.S.; cable network Freeform, which targets millennials; and Disney Channels Worldwide, a portfolio of 120 kid-driven, family-inclusive entertainment channels, including Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior and Radio Disney brands. Disney|ABC also has oversight of the eight ABC Owned Television Stations; ABC Studios, a global leader in the development, production and distribution of entertainment content across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms; and manages The Walt Disney Company's equity interest in A+E Networks, which include channels from A+E, Lifetime and History brands.