How much would it cost to buy a Television Network?

The cost of purchasing a major television network, such as ABC, CBS, NBC, or Fox, would be in the billions of dollars. It is challenging to determine the exact amount, as the value of a television network depends on various factors, including its profitability, viewership, contracts, assets, and content library.

For instance, in 2019, the Walt Disney Company acquired 21st Century Fox for $71.3 billion. This deal included Fox's film studio, cable channels like FX and National Geographic, and international assets. However, it did not include the Fox Broadcasting Network, which remains a separate company under the control of Fox Corporation.

Similarly, in 2016, AT&T acquired Time Warner for $108.7 billion. Time Warner owned assets such as CNN, HBO, Warner Bros. Pictures, and Turner Broadcasting, but not the WarnerMedia News & Sports division, which included CBS News and CBS Sports.

The recent acquisition of CNN by Warner Bros. Discovery (formed through the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc.) highlights the high valuation of media assets. In May 2022, CNN was estimated to have a value of approximately $25 billion, representing the substantial investment required for acquiring such a prominent news network.

Additionally, the purchase price of a television network could be influenced by factors like the terms of any existing licensing agreements, the network's market share, and potential revenue growth.