What A+E Studios does

A+E Studios is the dedicated scripted and premium-content production studio unit of A+E Global Media (formerly A+E Networks), a privately held media company structured as a joint venture between Hearst Communications and Disney and incorporated as A&E Television Networks, LLC. Founded in 2013 and headquartered in New York, the studio produces television series for streaming platforms and networks, with its flagship output being the Netflix legal drama The Lincoln Lawyer, which spans four seasons (with a fifth season confirmed) and has mobilized over 4,300 cast and crew, 50+ filming locations, and 50+ local vendors across 359 production days in the Los Angeles area. The studio's revenue mechanics center on production deals and licensing arrangements with distribution partners, primarily streaming platforms, with licensing/royalties cited as the revenue model. Its go-to-market is enterprise-field-sales in character, engaging platform-level buyers for premium content, and it supplements core production with a social-impact workforce development program delivered through a partnership with the non-profit ManifestWorks.

The studio operates without a disclosed standalone product, app, or proprietary technology platform; its technology is the production infrastructure and production know-how itself, and there is no public information on pricing, contract structures, or unit economics. As a division within A+E Global Media's broader portfolio — which includes the A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime, LMN, FYI, VICE TV, and BIOGRAPHY network brands plus sub-brands such as LRW, CRIME+INVESTIGATION, HISTORY EN ESPAÑOL, and MILITARY HISTORY — A+E Studios benefits from the parent's 40+ year brand heritage, multi-channel distribution footprint, and back-office scale, but it is not separately capitalized and reports no independent revenue or headcount figures. Customer concentration is narrow: Netflix is the only named enterprise customer, tied to The Lincoln Lawyer exclusivity, and the studio's stated primary segment is streaming platforms seeking premium scripted content. Leadership visibility is limited; only Chris Sanagustin, Head of Current Programming, is identified in the data.

Name

A+E Studios

Legal name

A+E Studios

Website

https://aenetworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Short description

A+E Studios is the scripted content production unit of A+E Global Media (Hearst/Disney JV), producing premium television series for streaming platforms. Its flagship, The Lincoln Lawyer, streams exclusively on Netflix across four seasons with a fifth confirmed.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Television Production Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (51211), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)

akta.pro primary industry

Scripted TV Series Production (Live-Action) (MPADABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Co-Production & Distribution Partnerships (Pre-Sales, Output Deals) (MPABANAI)

Keywords

• Television production services
• Scripted content development
• Premium streaming content
• Content licensing
• Entertainment media production

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Content Production Services: A+E Studios produces television series and content for distribution partners including streaming platforms and networks. Revenue is generated through production deals, licensing, and content partnerships.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Core offering

A+E Studios produces premium scripted television series and content for distribution partners including major streaming platforms and networks. The studio provides end-to-end production services spanning content development, large-scale filming operations, and workforce coordination, exemplified by its flagship production "The Lincoln Lawyer" for Netflix across four seasons. Revenue is generated through production deals, content licensing, and distribution partnerships, supplemented by social impact workforce training programs.

Product overview

A+E Studios is part of A+E Global Media, a portfolio of media brands and television networks. The company operates multiple branded television networks including A&E, HISTORY, Lifetime, LMN, FYI, VICE TV, and BIOGRAPHY, as well as sub-brands such as LRW, CRIME+INVESTIGATION, HISTORY EN ESPAÑOL, and MILITARY HISTORY. The portfolio spans nonfiction entertainment, historical content, women's-focused programming, lifestyle content, and biographical documentaries. A+E Studios produces content including series like The Lincoln Lawyer in partnership with Netflix.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• A&E: Premier destination for edge-of-your-seat nonfiction entertainment
• HISTORY
• Lifetime
• LMN
• FYI
• VICE TV
• BIOGRAPHY

Products and services

• The Lincoln Lawyer Premium scripted legal drama series produced by A+E Studios exclusively for Netflix, starring a large ensemble cast. Four seasons produced with a fifth season renewal, employing 4,300+ cast and crew across 50+ Los Angeles locations over 359 production days. Targeted at global streaming audiences via Netflix.
• Premium Scripted Production Services End-to-end scripted television production services offered to streaming platforms and networks, including content development, large-scale filming, and production management. Demonstrated through multi-season Netflix partnership on The Lincoln Lawyer. Targeted at streaming platforms and networks seeking premium original scripted content.

Quantifiable outcome

• Season 4 debuted at #2 on Netflix Global Top 10 English Series list with 9M views

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA+E Studios partners with Netflix for production of 'The Lincoln Lawyer' series. All four seasons have been produced with the series streaming exclusively on Netflix. Season 4 achieved strong viewership ranking (#2 on Global Top 10 English Series with 9M views) and has been renewed for Season 5.
• ManifestWorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA+E Studios partners with the non-profit ManifestWorks to provide workforce training for individuals impacted by foster care, homelessness, and incarceration. This partnership is part of the 'The Lincoln Lawyer' production initiative, providing training and employment opportunities within the production.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Universal Television: Major scripted TV studio supplying Peacock and external streamers. Directly comparable to A+E Studios in scale, scripted drama focus, and reliance on premium streaming partnerships.
• Skydance Television: Produces premium scripted series for streamers including Netflix, Apple, and Amazon. Comparable to A+E Studios as a vertically integrated scripted studio with anchor streaming deals and broad premium-content ambitions.
• Bad Robot Productions: J.J. Abrams-led premium scripted production company with long-standing Apple TV+ deal. Comparable to A+E Studios as a prestige scripted producer with a flagship streaming partner and high-end drama focus.
• Lionsgate Television: Lionsgate's television division produces scripted series for streamers and networks with a library-driven strategy. Comparable to A+E Studios as an independent-leaning scripted TV producer targeting streaming-first buyers.
• Anonymous Content: Premium scripted TV and film studio known for Netflix and Apple originals. Directly comparable to A+E Studios as a prestige scripted producer supplying top streaming platforms with character-driven drama.
• CBS Studios: Produces scripted series for Paramount+ and external platforms, with a large production footprint. Similar to A+E Studios in producing premium scripted content for streaming distribution within a broader media parent.
• 20th Television: Disney-owned scripted TV studio producing Hulu and on-platform originals plus external commissions. Direct peer as a peer studio under a major media parent producing premium scripted content for streamers.
• Sony Pictures Television: One of the largest scripted TV studios globally, producing premium series for streaming platforms and broadcast networks. Directly comparable to A+E Studios as a major supplier of premium scripted content with multi-platform distribution deals.
• Imagine Entertainment: Independent scripted TV/film producer with major streaming deals (e.g., Netflix, Apple). Comparable to A+E Studios as a premium scripted producer with anchor streaming partnerships and broad platform demand.
• ABC Signature: Disney's premium scripted studio producing for Hulu and Disney+. Highly comparable to A+E Studios as a sibling scripted production unit producing streaming-first series under a major media conglomerate.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AE_GlobalMedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/aegm
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aeglobalmedia
• Instagraminstagram.com/AE_GlobalMedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about A+E Studios