AT&T-Time Warner deal overcomes another challenge

The FCC approved the sale of an Atlanta, GA broadcast TV station owned by Time-Warner, clearing another obstacle standing in the way of the $85 billion deal between AT&T and the largest entertainment company in the country. Late last year, AT&T reached an agreement to buy Time-Warner for $85 billion.

With the sale of the Atlanta station, AT&T avoids FCC scrutiny of the deal. Since many experts believe the transfer of an FCC broadcast license is the only regulatory hook the agency has to review the transaction, selling the station removes the hook. The merger is still subject to review by the Department of Justice.

Links:

FCC Approves Atlanta TV Station Sale, Clearing Path for AT&T and Time Warner Merger (Fortune, Apr. 17, 2016)

AT&T to buy Time Warner for $85 billion (Speed Matters, Oct. 24, 2016)

Senators probe AT&T-Time Warner deal (Speed Matters, Dec. 12, 2016)

Time Warner aims to avoid merger scrutiny by selling Atlanta TV station (Speed Matters, Feb. 27, 2016)