AT&T agrees to buy Time Warner for $85.4 billion

[CACtain Planet]

AT&T reached a deal Saturday to buy Time Warnerfor $85.4 billion, an acquisition that reflects the telecom giant’s desire to amass reputable TV and film content to diversify its massive but mature business of providing Internet access.

In the cash-and-stock deal confirmed by AT&T and Time Warner late Saturday, AT&T will pay $107.50 per share of Time Warner, whose diverse media portfolio includes HBO, CNN, TNT, TBS, Warner Bros., theme parks, Bleacher Report and a 10% stake in streaming service Hulu. The deal, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to close before the end of 2017.

"This is a perfect match of two companies with complementary strengths who can bring a fresh approach to how the media and communications industry works for customers, content creators, distributors and advertisers,” said Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO. “Premium content always wins. It has been true on the big screen, the TV screen and now it’s proving true on the mobile screen."

The deal, if approved by regulators, would be one of the largest acquisitions ever in the telecom-media sector. It also lays bare AT&T's grand ambition to control sizable market shares in both content and distribution businesses, a prospect that will surely trigger concern and scrutiny among federal regulators and consumer rights advocates.

"Joining forces with AT&T will allow us to innovate even more quickly and create more value for consumers along with all our distribution and marketing partners," Time Warner Chairman and CEO Jeff Bewkes said in a statement.

Talks between the companies began in August, when Stephenson, based in Dallas, visited Bewkes in New York and spent several hours discussing the direction of their industries, Bewkes recalled in a conference call with reporters Saturday evening. "I've been involved in a lot of deals in my career," Stephenson said. "This one’s unique. It began negotiating on its own very quickly. It was a natural process."

Stephenson will lead the combined company. Bewkes said has agreed to stay on through the transition period for "a reasonable period of time."

A year ago, AT&T shocked Wall Street by paying $48.5 billion to buy satellite TV provider DirecTV, giving it instant access to nearly all domestic markets for selling its pay-TV service and Internet-TV bundles. Analysts suggested at the time that AT&T would look to beef up its content offerings — already made attractive by DirecTV’s NFL Sunday Ticket deal — to fully seize the benefits of the acquisition.

AT&T agrees to buy Time Warner for $85.4 billion

Thanks Obama

 

[Camile.Bidan]

I am surprised this didn't trigger an anti trust case....

We have the most left leaning administration in power right now, and the Corporations just keep on winning.

The TPP was one of the most mercantilist treaties I have ever seen.

Leftist have no problem with a growing corporate power as long as their C-suite pays tribute

 

[CACtain Planet]

I am surprised this didn't trigger an anti trust case....

We have the most left leaning administration in power right now, and the Corporations just keep on winning.

The TPP was one of the most mercantilist treaties I have ever seen.

Leftist have no problem with a growing corporate power as long as their C-suite pays tribute

Hence why I said all along that Obama was selected by the powers to be to do their bidding...Corporations are getting away with murder under this administration

 

[Cynic]

AT&T would have been food because cellular business has matured. We'll see what they do

 

[Camile.Bidan]

Hence why I said all along that Obama was selected by the powers to be to do their bidding...Corporations are getting away with murder under this administration

I have never been into conspiracy theories, but I think you're right.

The Corporations have the most sway over policy.

They thought they could rely on conservatives being sheepish and conforming, but when we became aware of the corruption, we jumped ship and rebelled against the republican party hence Ron Paul and Trump.


I think they realize that liberals will tow the party line no matter.

Liberals support and defend all policies that Obama and HRC propose. Liberals are the true sheepish people. Liberals are on the board constantly shouting the party line, constantly regurgitating government propaganda, and always defending the elite. conformity is the true nature of the liberal.



I have access to many corporate board meetings because if my job. Most C-suite and board directors are Dem party members and ultra progressive. I don't think people realize that.

Republican is a dirty word in corporate America. Why is that?

 

[Scoop]

I am surprised this didn't trigger an anti trust case....

We have the most left leaning administration in power right now, and the Corporations just keep on winning.

The TPP was one of the most mercantilist treaties I have ever seen.

Leftist have no problem with a growing corporate power as long as their C-suite pays tribute

To be fair TimeWarner and AT&T aren't in the same business...

This is vertical integration not horizontal.

 

[CACtain Planet]

To be fair TimeWarner and AT&T aren't in the same business...

This is vertical integration not horizontal.

Both are in the cable/internet business though

 

[Yogi]

I have never been into conspiracy theories, but I think you're right.

The Corporations have the most sway over policy.

They thought they could rely on conservatives being sheepish and conforming, but when we became aware of the corruption, we jumped ship and rebelled against the republican party hence Ron Paul and Trump.


I think they realize that liberals will tow the party line no matter.

Liberals support and defend all policies that Obama and HRC propose. Liberals are the true sheepish people. Liberals are on the board constantly shouting the party line, constantly regurgitating government propaganda, and always defending the elite. conformity is the true nature of the liberal.



I have access to many corporate board meetings because if my job. Most C-suite and board directors are Dem party members and ultra progressive. I don't think people realize that.

Republican is a dirty word in corporate America. Why is that?

What is your job?

 

[TLR Is Mental Poison]

We have the most left leaning administration in power right now,

 

[ExodusNirvana]

To be fair TimeWarner and AT&T aren't in the same business...

This is vertical integration not horizontal.

Both are in the cable/internet business though

 

[hashmander]

why are these alt rightie whities in this thread talking like the deal has been approved. this deal will be an issue for the next administration.

 

[StatUS]

why are these alt rightie whities in this thread talking like the deal has been approved. this deal will be an issue for the next administration.

Luckily both have greased Hillary's palm enough for her to look the other way

 

[CACtain Planet]

why are these alt rightie whities in this thread talking like the deal has been approved. this deal will be an issue for the next administration.

AT&T contributed $196,952 to Hillary's campaign this year and $221,418 to Barack Obama in 2012 AT&T Inc: Summary | OpenSecrets

Time Warner contributed $391,760 to Hillary's Campaign this year and $448,021 to Barack Obama in 2012 Time Warner: Summary | OpenSecrets

Both have contributed millions to congressional members in both parties and millions lobbying both parties this year and in 2014 as well....

So while your dumbass was worried about #TrumpSet groping some heux in the 80's, the elites were busy making potentially trillion dollar deals...Keep sucking up that CNN and MSNBC dikk though, they are literally leading the population to the slaughter with the blatant propaganda..So yes #TrumpSet is right when he says he would file anti-trust lawsuits against this deal, its no wonder why either of these conglomerates have given to his campaign :Shawltrump:

 

[Serious]

Both are in the cable/internet business though

Price of the brick going up

 

[Nomadum]

I'm more amazed by the price.

where is all these companies getting these Billions from if the entire world is facing economic issues? I don't understand that. but whatever