AT&T's court win in Time Warner takeover major setback for US Justice dept

The Justice Department's lawsuit against the Time Warner takeover marked an unprecedented challenge after years of a light-touch approach by enforcers in similar deals

AT&T’s sweeping court victory allowing its takeover of Time Warner delivers a sharp setback to the Justice Department’s new approach to policing mergers under President Donald Trump and promises to spark a merger wave across industries.
 
The federal judge’s decision raises the bar for the government’s ability to challenge deals between companies that don’t compete directly. That opens a pathway for firms contemplating such deals, especially in media where distributors are racing to acquire content companies.
 
Comcast is expected to be the first out of the gate, making a formal offer for 21st Century Fox assets as early