Disney 7TV Deal Done

Nov. 25, 2011

Walt Disney paid $300 million for a stake in a broadcaster owned by Alisher Usmanov and his partner Ivan Tavrin.

Disney gains 49 percent of 7TV, a unit of Usmanov's and Tavrin's UTH Russia, according to a Disney regulatory filing dated Wednesday. The transaction closed Nov. 18.

Disney said last month without disclosing the purchase price that it would change 7TV's name to Disney Channel. Disney will jointly operate the broadcast network with UTH and intends to promote its theme parks to a Russian audience, chief executive Bob Iger said last month. The Disney Channel already reaches about 5 million of the country's 50 million TV households through cable and satellite operators.

(Bloomberg)

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue