Microsoft's $69 Billion Activision Takeover Faces Competition Probe in the UK (cnbc.com) 20
The U.K.'s competition watchdog on Wednesday opened an investigation into Microsoft's proposed acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard. From a report: In a statement, the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority said its investigation would consider whether the deal may harm competition -- "for example, through higher prices, lower quality, or reduced choice." The CMA set a Sept. 1 deadline for its initial decision. The regulator said it wants feedback from interested third parties, with a consultation running until July 20.
Lisa Tanzi, Microsoft's corporate vice president and general counsel, said regulatory scrutiny of the deal was to be expected, adding the company would "fully cooperate" with the CMA. "We're committed to answering questions from regulators and ultimately believe a thorough review will help the deal close with broad confidence, and that it will be positive for competition," Tanzi said. "We remain confident the deal will close in fiscal year 2023 as initially anticipated."
Lisa Tanzi, Microsoft's corporate vice president and general counsel, said regulatory scrutiny of the deal was to be expected, adding the company would "fully cooperate" with the CMA. "We're committed to answering questions from regulators and ultimately believe a thorough review will help the deal close with broad confidence, and that it will be positive for competition," Tanzi said. "We remain confident the deal will close in fiscal year 2023 as initially anticipated."
bad business (Score:2, Funny)
You should buy the government first then consolidate your monopoly.
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Google already owns the government.
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Google already owns the government.
That's a very 20th century way at looking at things. The race now is to see crypto take off so that someone can own all the money.
At least if the merger goes through (Score:2)
Blizzard employees are already used to working in a toxic work environment. So it's a good match for them.
So is this going to change how anyone votes? (Score:1)
How long until megaultracorp (Score:2)
Who buys who first, Microsoft buys Disney, or Disney buys Microsoft?
I mean, its just a matter of time right? One giant consolidated entertainment media empire making all movies, games, music, and merchandise?
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You miss a few players there. I mean, sure, Disney is in the running. Microsoft too. But what about Amazon, Netflix, Time Warner, etc. I see a few consolidations coming in the near future for sure though. Netflix is flailing right now, and if they don't stop making the dumbest possible decisions soon, they'll be gobbled up by somebody that's playing a better long game. Probably Disney, though it's possible Amazon would grab them as a competitive possibility to hedge up against the Disney hegemony.
I'm pretty
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Microsoft is worth 11 times as much as Disney, so that particular deal would only go one way.
Microsoft $1.98T
Disnet $174B
Feel that Ran? (Score:2)
Video games are not exactly a small market (Score:2)
Probable non-issue, except ... (Score:2)
I guess one could question if this would mean an end to support for any Mac clients for Blizzard titles? (Although Blizzard moved that direction on their own already with games like Overwatch. Blizzard was, nonetheless, long held up as an example of a first-tier game developer who released native Mac titles.)
Nice (Score:1)
I guess I don't understand (Score:2)
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You'll have to explain what's xenophobic about my question, though it doesn't sound like a good-faith question.
Considering neither are UK companies, it doesn't seem reasonable. How they operate vs companies merging aren't on the same level. So I guess, say, any companies that are based in India but have a footprint in the US can be subject to US monopoly laws? That doesn't make sense either.
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$69 Billion? (Score:1)