U.S. Regulatory Agencies Clear Path For AT&T-DirecTV Mega Merger
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may have put a stake through the heart of the Comcast-Time Warner Cable merger, but it appears to be satisfied with another major deal that has heavy Internet users like Netflix worried: AT&T appears poised to get the green light from the FCC for its $49 billion purchase of DirecTV.
Acquiring DirecTV will be a huge boost to the reach of AT&T’s TV service. The move worries some companies, but apparently not the FCC, which seems to be nearing the end of its review and hasn’t expressed major concerns. Of course, conditions are a possibility: the FCC could impose conditions aimed at protecting Netflix and other online video services.
The word is that AT&T is likely to find the conditions palatable. That’s not surprising, considering what the company stands to gain by the deal – it will become the largest pay TV company in the U.S., according to The Wall Street Journal. The process may be wrapped up in the next few weeks.
Acquiring DirecTV will be a huge boost to the reach of AT&T’s TV service. The move worries some companies, but apparently not the FCC, which seems to be nearing the end of its review and hasn’t expressed major concerns. Of course, conditions are a possibility: the FCC could impose conditions aimed at protecting Netflix and other online video services.
The word is that AT&T is likely to find the conditions palatable. That’s not surprising, considering what the company stands to gain by the deal – it will become the largest pay TV company in the U.S., according to The Wall Street Journal. The process may be wrapped up in the next few weeks.
