Disney agrees to Fox Sports divestiture in Brazil, Mexico – report

Walt Disney Company has agreed to sell its Fox Sports channels in Brazil and Mexico as part of the process to complete the $71.3bn (€62.9bn) takeover of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets, according to Bloomberg.

The news agency, citing people close to the discussions, said Disney has accepted the divestment recommendation of Brazil’s antitrust regulator, and will present an agreement to pursue the sale at a meeting next week.

Regulatory approval in the two countries is one of the last major challenges facing the deal. Bloomberg said Disney expects Mexico’s telco regulator to require the sale of Fox Sports and is willing to agree to it. However, it added that final details surrounding the two agreements are still subject to change.

It remains unclear whether regulators will simply demand the sale of the channels, or also the sports rights they hold.