US: Antitrust issues could scuttle Comcast bid

In a filing, Twenty-First Century Fox says it determined that a potential deal with Comcast for its entertainment assets has more antitrust risk than its existing deal with Disney, reported Bloomberg.

 “While a potential Disney transaction was likely to receive required regulatory approvals and ultimately be consummated, a strategic transaction with Comcast continued to carry higher regulatory risk,” the filing notes.

The Fox board last week agreed an improved, $71.3 billion deal to sell its entertainment assets to Disney, overlooking Comcast for the second time in six months. The details in the filing highlight the steep challenge facing Comcast as it considers a counter-bid for the assets.

The filing also details the efforts behind Disney’s sweetened offer for Fox assets that include such properties as the “The Simpsons” and “X-Men.”
Full Content: Bloomberg
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