*By Alisha Haridasani* AT&T's $85 billion takeover of Time Warner will disrupt traditional broadcast and upend internet streaming, fundamentally changing the way consumers watch TV, said Rich Greenfield, an analyst at BTIG. With content from HBO, CNN, and Warner Bros., AT&T will launch a "skinny bundle" of 30 channels called AT&T Watch that will be free for all AT&T wireless subscribers, Greenfield said. “That is going to be a really disruptive move by AT&T,” he added. “It’s going to be interesting to see how the other tech companies react to this.” Streaming services Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, which create original programming that reaches consumers directly via the internet, have broken the broadcast and cable TV stranglehold on content, putting pressure on subscription and TV advertising revenue. “Roughly 20 percent of American households have cut the cord, discontinuing traditional MVPD services,” U.S. District Judge Richard Leon wrote in his [opinion](http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/sites/dcd/files/17-2511opinion.pdf) approving the AT&T bid. “That number, high as it is, continues to grow.” The AT&T-Time Warner merger, which is expected to be completed next week, sets the stage for more vertical integrations between content creators and distributors. Comcast is expected to make another [bid](https://cheddar.com/videos/rich-greenfield-murdoch-no-longer-set-on-selling-to-disney-for-stock) for 21st Century Fox’s assets as early as Wednesday in an effort to wrestle it away from Disney. If Comcast is successful, it would marry Fox’s Hollywood studio and its British broadcaster Sky with Comcast's NBC Universal. Comcast may partner up with other companies to make that offer more attractive for Fox chairman Rupert Murdoch, said Greenfield. “In order to really beat Disney, they sort of need a stronger balance sheet,” he said. For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/why-at-and-ts-victory-is-monumental).

Share:
More In Business
Companies and Consumers Preparing for Black Friday & Cyber Week
The biggest shopping day of the year is approaching - Black Friday - and the following week is known as Cyber Week, the biggest time of the year for online shopping. But for many companies and consumers, the holiday shopping season is already underway. Retailers have been getting creative in their attempts to lure customers amid ongoing supply chain issues, inflation, and the pandemic that could impact sales. Lionesque Group CEO and founder Melissa Gonzalez joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Search Engine You.com Launches Public Beta, Looks to Take on Google
You.com launched its beta product just two weeks ago, but is looking to challenge one of the largest companies in the world in Google. Richard Socher, Founder and CEO of You.com, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell, where he discusses the issues that he sees with Google that he says his company can exploit.
Louisiana Entices Tourists With Its Celebration Gator Macy's Thanksgiving Float
The Bayou State has been through some tough times with massive storms on top of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the state is looking to rebuild by leaning into its reputation as a tourist destination. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser joined Cheddar to talk about Louisiana's work to reacquaint travelers with its renowned food, music, culture, Mardi Gras — and its Celebration Gator float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "Well they won't let us throw throws so we'll be going along the route handing out beads, stuffed alligators, telling people to book a trip to Louisiana," he said of the event.
Nordstrom and Gap Fall Short of Q3 Earnings Ahead of Black Friday
Major retailers The Gap and Nordstrom reported third quarter earnings on Tuesday, both falling short of expectations. Ahead of Black Friday, Ethan Chernofsky, CMO of marketing at Placer.AI, discusses why these are just two of the many retailers hoping to make up for 2020 losses.
Load More