US appeals judge's order allowing AT&T to buy Time Warner

The US Justice Department has appealed last month's ruling from a federal judge allowing AT&T to buy Time Warner in a mega-deal that could reshape the media-entertainment landscape.

A notice of appeal was filed yesterday with a federal appeals court one month after Judge Richard Leon rejected the government's efforts to block the USD 85 billion deal following a weeks-long antitrust trial.

Leon ruled the government had failed to meet its burden of proof that the tie-up between the largest US pay-TV operator and the media-entertainment giant would harm competition. The decision delivered a stinging rebuke to Donald Trump's administration in its first major antitrust court case.

The two companies completed the merger in the days following the ruling, so if the government prevails, the appeals court could order the deal undone or require AT&T to sell off parts of Time Warner. AT&T said it was prepared to defend the case on appeal.

"The (lower) court's decision could hardly have been more thorough, fact-based, and well-reasoned," said a statement from David McAtee, AT&T's general counsel.

"While the losing party in litigation always has the right to appeal if it wishes, we are surprised that the DOJ has chosen to do so under these circumstances. We are ready to defend the (lower court ruling) at the DC Circuit Court of Appeals."