AT&T 'optimistic' about DirecTV merger in wake of halt on FCC review
Send this to a friend
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20141029225837im_/http://media.bizj.us/view/img/1933051/danielle-abril.jpg)
- Danielle Abril
- Staff Writer- Dallas Business Journal
- Email | LinkedIn | Twitter | Google+
The Federal Communications Commission has stopped the clock on its review of the proposed $48.5 billion merger of AT&T Inc. and DirecTV after receiving objections from companies concerned about the release of confidential information.
The FCC decision also applies to the Comcast Corp. and Time Warner Cable Inc. merger.
But during AT&T's third quarter earnings call on Wednesday, John Stephens, senior executive vice president and chief financial officer, said he is "optimistic" the merger will move forward.
Got Tech? Sign up for our free TechFlash newsletter here
"We're confident in the FCC's rigorous procedures … and we're ready to provide them the information they requested of us," he said. "Today's decision doesn't change our view that we'll be ale to get the deal approved and closed in the first half of 2015."
The complaint originated from a host of content companies, including CBS Corp., Scripps Networks Interactive Inc., Walt Disney Co., Time Warner Inc., Twenty First Century Fox Inc., Univision Communications Inc. and Viacom Inc.
The companies don't want third parties to be able to access their confidential carriage agreements as it could affect their competitive advantages, according to the FCC filing. The FCC stopped the 180-day time clock on day 85, according to Reuters.
The companies are asking for an extension of time to file replies to the merger review. The FCC approved the request and will take the time to rule on the objections. Then the commission will release a public notice that will include new pleading cycles to provide time for commenters to review the material and prepare comments, the document states.
Read the top technology news in our free daily newsletter, TechFlash. Click here to subscribe to the TechFlash newsletter.
Danielle covers technology, retail, restaurants and hospitality for the Dallas Business Journal. Subscribe to our new TechFlash email newsletter.
Most Popular
- Most popular
- Emailed
- Mobile
- Southwest Airlines rolling out four weddings and a lot of dance moves
- Turkish developer to buy land near Dallas City Hall for $1.2B project
- Exclusive: Jack Matthews to buy historic Dallas High School
- Dallas real estate investor buys Turtle Creek building; plans redo
- Roger Staubach talks real estate, Romo and the Redskins nickname
- Mark Cuban invests $1M in Austin startup
- Aggie 100 ranking recognizes 14 high-growth North Texas companies
- SEC says Wyly is burning through cash before assets can be frozen
- Toyota's North American CEO: 'We will be melding these organizations' (Video)
- Toyota says 'howdy' to Plano with $1M donation to school district
Sponsored by
People on the Move
-
Insurance Agency Owner Brightway Insurance | Georgia, North Carolina, Texas
-
Channel Sales Executive Houston Business Journal | Houston, TX
-
Audience Development Account Executive Dallas Business Journal | Dallas, TX
-
Trend Micro Career Day Trend Micro | Irving, TX
-
Patent Agent Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP | Dallas, TX
Featured Property
Comments
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.