Enlarge / AT&T will own a bunch of new media properties if it is allowed to buy Time Warner. (credit: Aurich Lawson)
Despite President Trump’s promise to block AT&T’s purchase of Time Warner Inc., the government’s review of the merger has “reached an advanced stage” The Wall Street Journal reported yesterday.
“The deal’s regulatory review has hit a late-stage point where AT&T lawyers are discussing merger conditions with the Justice Department,” the report said, quoting people close to the situation. If the Justice Department concludes that any potential harms from the merger can be offset by conditions, then it would not sue to block the deal.
“Among the topics raised in the government’s review is ensuring that AT&T doesn’t discriminate or treat channels that compete with Time Warner’s content less favorably, the people close to the situation said,” the Journal wrote. “For example, the government could prevent AT&T from favoring HBO over other premium-TV brands in its marketing and pricing, the people said.”
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