AT&T Faces Political Barrage Over Time Warner Deal

AT&T’s blockbuster deal promises to reshape the media landscape—if the companies can navigate a series of obstacles, including possible opposition from US antitrust authorities and objections by lawmakers and media and telecom rivals.

Even before the deal was announced, members of Congress, industry groups and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump began to question it, contending the combination of AT&T’s millions of wireless and pay-television subscribers with Time Warner’s stable of TV networks and programming would limit competition and hurt consumers. Trump said if elected he wouldn’t approve the deal “because it’s too much concentration of power in the hands of too few.” Sen Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called on the Administration to block the merger. Sen Tim Kaine (D-VA), the Democratic nominee for Vice President, said he shared the “concerns and questions” raised by Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) that the deal could lead to higher costs and fewer choices. “Pro-competition and less concentration, I think, is generally helpful, especially in the media.” The Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission both declined to comment.