Comcast Gets Ready to Pounce

*By Jim Roberts* The see-saw battle for the assets of 21st Century Fox may take another turn after Comcast said on Monday that it would make an all-cash bid for Fox’s assets if AT&T wins its legal fight to acquire Time Warner, according to a report by CNBC. A federal judge in Washington is expected to rule Tuesday on AT&T’s $85 billion bid for Time Warner, which has been opposed by U.S. antitrust regulators. The government sought to block the acquisition, fearing that AT&T would use its control over Time Warner content to extract higher licensing payments for popular entertainment. Those higher costs would likely be passed along to consumers. Rupert Murdoch agreed in December to sell most of his 21st Century Fox media empire to Disney in a $52-billion all-stock deal. In the deal, Disney [agreed to buy](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/18/business/media/comcast-21st-century-fox-disney.html) the 20th Century Fox studio, Hulu, the FX cable network, and stakes in two overseas television-service providers, Sky of Britain and Star of India. The deal did not include the Fox broadcast network or Fox News. But BTIG analyst Rich Greenfield [told Cheddar exclusively](https://cheddar.com/videos/rich-greenfield-murdoch-no-longer-set-on-selling-to-disney-for-stock) that Murdoch was no longer set on selling to Disney. Comcast, which previously made an all-stock bid for the company that Murdoch rebuffed, has suggested for some time that it would prepare an all-cash bid around $60 billion. On Monday morning, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts told investors that the cable company was in the [“advanced stages”](https://deadline.com/2018/06/brian-roberts-comcast-advanced-stages-offer-fox-annual-shareholders-meeting-1202407754/) of preparing an offer, pending the outcome of the AT&T-Time Warner antitrust suit. [According to CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/11/comcast-announcing-fox-bid-on-wednesday-if-att-time-warner-approved.html), Comcast executives believe their company’s bid for Fox will put pressure on Disney's shares, putting pressure on Disney to raise the value of it’s all all-stock offer.

More In Business

Pilots Union Reaches Agreement With Southwest Airlines

The union representing Southwest Airlines pilots says it reached a new contract agreement in principle with the airline following three years of negotiations.

U.S. Bank Fined $36 Million for Freezing Debit Cards During Pandemic

U.S. Bank has been hit with a $36 million fine for freezing debit cards that distributed unemployment benefits during the pandemic.

New Home Construction Up More Than Expected in November

Construction of new homes rose by double digits in November, according to data from the Commerce Department.

Securitize: Private Credit Boom Is Now Here

Cheddar News' Need2Know is brought to you by Securitize, which helps unlock broader access to alternative investments in private businesses, funds, and other alternative assets. The private credit boom is here and the Hamilton Lane Senior Credit Opportunities Fund has tripled in assets under management in just six months from November 2022 through April this year. Visit Securitize.io to learn more.

Stocks Open Lower and Face First Decline in 10 Days

Stocks opened lower after the opening bell and on track for its first decline in 10 days after a recent winning streak.

Study: Tesla Drivers Involved in More Accidents This Year

Tesla drivers in the U.S. were in more accidents than drivers of any other car brand this year, according to a study.

Love It or Hate It, Self-Checkout Is Here to Stay. But It's Going Through a Reckoning

The promise of self-checkout was alluring: Customers could avoid long lines by scanning and bagging their own items, workers could be freed of doing those monotonous tasks themselves and retailers could save on labor costs.

Monsanto to Pay $857 Million Over Claims of Toxic Chemicals

Monsanto was ordered to pay $857 million to students and parent volunteers at a Washington school.

Judge Strikes Down Lawsuits Linking Tylenol to Autism, ADHD

A federal judge has struck down hundreds of lawsuits filed against the makers of Tylenol and generic acetaminophen.

California Set to Become 2nd State to OK Rules for Turning Wastewater Into Drinking Water

California regulators are preparing to vote on new rules for turning recycled wastewater into drinking water.

Load More