WASHINGTON (WBAP/KLIF) – The Department of Justice is challenging a court’s decision allowing the merger with Dallas-based AT&T and Time Warner to go forward.
The Justice Department said Thursday it is appealing the ruling last month by U.S. District Judge Richard Leon, which blessed one of the biggest media deals ever following a landmark antitrust trial.
Leon rejected the government’s argument that the phone and pay-TV giant’s $81 billion takeover of the entertainment conglomerate would hurt competition, limit choices and jack up prices for consumers to stream TV and movies.
Leon’s ruling allowed Dallas-based AT&T to absorb the owner of CNN, HBO, the Warner Bros. movie studio, “Game of Thrones,” coveted sports programming and other “must-see” shows.
AT&T released a statement saying, “The Court’s decision could hardly have been more thorough, fact-based, and well-reasoned. While the losing party in litigation always has the right to appeal if it wishes, we are surprised that the DOJ has chosen to do so under these circumstances. We are ready to defend the Court’s decision at the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.”
Dallas-based Attorney Brad Whitlock said he was surpirsed by the Government’s decision. He said he doesn’t think they will have a good argument to put forth on the appeal.
(Copyright 2018, WBAP/KLIF. This Report Contains Material from The Associated Press.)
