Benutzer:Maurice Safranek/Warner Media, LLC

2018-11-28T01:42:34Z

216.137.244.15: /* 1990s */

{{Use American English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Warner Media, LLC
| trading_name = WarnerMedia
| logo = WarnerMedia.svg
| image = Time Warner Center May 2010.JPG
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = [[Time Warner Center]] in [[New York City]]
| former_name = {{Unbulleted list|Time-Warner {{small|(1990–2001)}}|AOL Time Warner Inc. {{small|(2001–2003)}}|Time Warner Inc. {{small|(2003–2018)}}}}
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = {{Plainlist|
* [[Mass media]]
* [[Show business|Entertainment]]
}}
| predecessors = {{Unbulleted list|[[Time Inc.]]|[[Warner Communications]]}}
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1990|1|10}}
| founder = [[Steve Ross (businessman)|Steve Ross]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Cohen |first=Roger |title=The Creator of Time Warner, Steven J. Ross, Is Dead at 65 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/12/21/obituaries/the-creator-of-time-warner-steven-j-ross-is-dead-at-65.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]] |date=December 21, 1992 |accessdate=April 11, 2018}}</ref>
| hq_location_city = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]
| hq_location_country = U.S.
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = John Stankey ([[Chief executive officer|CEO]])
| revenue = {{Increase}} {{USD|31.27 billion|link=yes}} (2017)<ref name='xbrlus_1'>{{cite web |url=http://ir.timewarner.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=70972&p=quarterlyearnings |title=Time Warner Inc. Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Results (10-K) |publisher=Time Warner |website=Time Warner |date=February 1, 2018 |accessdate=February 5, 2018}}</ref>
| operating_income = {{Increase}} {{USD|7.92 billion}} (2017)<ref name='xbrlus_1'/>
| net_income = {{Increase}} {{USD|5.24 billion}} (2017)<ref name='xbrlus_1'/>
| assets = {{Increase}} {{USD|69.20 billion}} (2017)<ref name='xbrlus_1'/>
| equity = {{Increase}} {{USD|28.37 billion}} (2017)<ref name='xbrlus_1'/>
| parent = [[AT&T]] {{small|(2018–present)}}
| num_employees = 30,400 (2018)<ref>http://about.att.com/content/dam/snrdocs/TW%20merger%20close%20company%20overview%20FINAL%206.15.18.pdf</ref>
| subsid = {{Plainlist|
* [[HBO]]
* [[Turner Broadcasting System]]
* [[Warner Bros.]]
* [[Otter Media]]
}}
| homepage = {{URL|www.warnermediagroup.com|warnermediagroup.com}}
}}

'''Warner Media, LLC''' (formerly '''Time Warner Inc.'''), [[doing business as]] '''WarnerMedia''', is an American [[multinational corporation|multinational]] [[mass media]] and [[show business|entertainment]] [[conglomerate (company)|conglomerate]] owned by [[AT&T]] and headquartered in [[New York City]]. The company has [[film]], [[television]], [[cable television|cable networks]], and [[publishing]] operations.

The company was formed in 1990 as Time Warner, from the merger of [[Time Inc.]] and [[Warner Communications]]. The current company consists largely of the assets of the former Warner Communications, [[HBO]] (a Time Inc. subsidiary until the merger), and the [[Turner Broadcasting System]] assets which acquired in 1996. Its assets include HBO, Turner, half of [[The CW]], [[Cartoon Network]], [[Audience (TV network)|Audience]], [[Warner Bros.]], [[CNN]], [[DC Comics]], [[Otter Media]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://about.att.com/story/att_otter_media.html|title=AT&T Acquires Full Ownership of Otter Media|date=August 7, 2018}}</ref> and a 10% stake in [[Hulu]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/time-warner-hulu-investment-1201829514/ |title=Time Warner Acquires 10% Stake in Hulu for $583 Million |first=Todd |last=Spangler |date=August 3, 2016 |publisher=Variety}}</ref>

Despite spinning off Time Inc. in 2014 (which was acquired by the [[Meredith Corporation]] in 2018), the company retained the Time Warner name until AT&T's acquisition in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/11/entertainment/la-et-ct-time-warner-name-20140311 |date=March 11, 2014 |title=Time Inc. spinoff probably won't mean name change for Time Warner |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |last=Flint |first=Joe |accessdate=April 6, 2018}}</ref> The company's previous assets included Time Inc., [[AOL]] (now owned by [[Verizon Communications]]), [[Time Warner Cable]], [[Hachette Book Group|Warner Books]], and [[Warner Music Group]]; these operations were either sold to others or spun off as independent companies. The company ranked No. 98 in the 2018 [[Fortune 500]] list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://fortune.com/fortune500/list/|title=Fortune 500 Companies 2018: Who Made the List|website=Fortune|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref>

On October 22, 2016, AT&T announced an offer to acquire Time Warner for $108.7 billion (including assumed Time Warner debt).<ref name="AT&T Deal">{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-is-in-advanced-talks-to-acquire-time-warner-1477061850 |title=AT&T Is in Advanced Talks to Acquire Time Warner |last=Hagey |first=Keach |last2=Sharma |first2=Amol |last3=Cimilluca |first3=Dana |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=October 21, 2016 |accessdate=October 21, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/biz/news/att-time-warner-deal-1201897938/ |title=AT&T Sets $85.4 Billion Time Warner Deal, CEOs Talks 'Unique' Potential of Combination |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=October 22, 2016 |accessdate=October 23, 2016}}</ref> The proposed merger was confirmed on June 12, 2018,<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://money.cnn.com/2018/06/12/media/att-time-warner-ruling/index.html |title=Judge approves $85 billion AT&T-Time Warner deal |last=Gold |first=Hadas |work=CNNMoney|access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> after AT&T won an [[competition law|antitrust]] lawsuit that the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Justice Department]] filed in 2017 to attempt to block the acquisition.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/business/dealbook/att-time-warner-merger.html |title=Justice Department Sues to Block AT&T-Time Warner Merger |last=Kang |first=Cecilia |date=November 20, 2017 |work=The New York Times |accessdate=December 11, 2017 |last2=Merced |first2=Michael J. de la |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> The merger closed two days later, with the company becoming a subsidiary of AT&T.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_time_warner_inc.html |title=AT&T Completes Acquisition of Time Warner Inc. |work=AT&T |date=June 15, 2018 |accessdate=June 15, 2018}}</ref>

==Background==
=== 1920s ===
''Time'' magazine, the first weekly news magazine in the United States, debuted in 1923.<ref name="History of TIME">{{cite news |url=http://www.time.com/time/archive/collections/0,21428,c_time_history,00.shtml |title=History of TIME |work=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |accessdate=January 10, 2015}}</ref>

Four years later, in 1927, [[Warner Bros.]] released the world's first feature-length [[talking picture]], ''[[The Jazz Singer]]''.<ref name="filmsite.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.filmsite.org/jazz.html |title=The Jazz Singer (1927) |website=[[Filmsite]] |date=October 6, 1927 |accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref>

=== 1960s ===
In 1963, recommendations from [[Time Inc.]] based on how it delivered magazines led to the introduction of [[ZIP code]]s by the [[United States Post Office]].{{citation needed|date=July 2014}}

=== 1970s ===
In 1972, [[Kinney National Company]] spun off its non-entertainment assets due to a financial scandal over its parking operations and renamed itself [[Warner Communications]] Inc.<ref name="thehistoryofcorporate.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.thehistoryofcorporate.com/companies-by-industry/information-industry/time-warner-inc/ |title=Time Warner Inc. by The History of Corporate |publisher=Thehistoryofcorporate.com |date=September 3, 2008 |accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref>

It was the holding company for Warner Bros. Pictures and [[Warner Music Group]] during the 1970s and 1980s. It also owned [[DC Comics]] and [[Mad (magazine)|''Mad'']], as well as a majority stake in [[Garden State National Bank]] (an investment it was ultimately required to sell pursuant to requirements under the [[Bank Holding Company Act of 1956|Bank Holding Company Act]]). Warner's initial divestiture efforts led by Garden State CEO [[Charles A. Agemian]] were blocked by Garden State board member [[William A. Conway]] in 1978; a revised transaction was later completed in 1980.

In 1975, [[HBO|Home Box Office]] (HBO) became the first TV network to broadcast nationally via satellite, debuting with the [[Muhammad Ali]] and [[Joe Frazier]] "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latimes.com/la-et-cablemilestonesaug20-pg,0,7410217.photogallery |title=Cable's biggest milestones |author=Los Angeles Times |date=July 16, 2012 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

In 1975, Warner expanded under the guidance of CEO [[Steve Ross (businessman)|Steve Ross]] and formed a joint venture with [[American Express]], named [[Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment]], which held cable channels including [[MTV]] (launched 1981), [[Nickelodeon]] (launched 1979) and [[The Movie Channel]]. Warner Bros. bought out American Express's half in 1984, and sold the venture a year later to [[Viacom (original)|Viacom]], which renamed it [[Viacom Media Networks|MTV Networks]].{{citation needed|date=October 2015}}

In 1976, the [[Turner Broadcasting System|Turner]]–owned WTCG originated the "superstation" concept, transmitting via satellite to cable systems nationwide and pioneering the basic cable business model. WTCG was renamed [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)#Initial change to WTBS|WTBS]] in 1979 (it is now Meredith-owned WPCH).

In 1976, [[Nolan Bushnell]] sold [[Atari, Inc.]] to Warner Communications for an estimated $2–12 million. Warner made considerable profits (and later losses) with Atari, which it owned from 1976 to 1984. While part of Warner, Atari achieved its greatest success, selling millions of [[Atari 2600]]s and computers. At its peak, Atari accounted for a third of Warner's annual income and was the fastest-growing company in the history of the United States at the time.<ref name="inventors.about.com">{{cite web |url=http://inventors.about.com/od/astartinventions/a/Atari.htm |title=Atari - The History of Atari Computers |publisher=[[Dotdash|About.com]] |date=June 21, 2013 |accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref>

=== 1980s ===
In 1980, Warner purchased The [[Franklin Mint]] for about $225 million. The combination was short lived: Warner sold The Franklin Mint in 1985 to American Protection Industries Inc. (API) for $167.5 million. However, Warner retained Franklin Mint's [[Eastern Mountain Sports]] as well as The Franklin Mint Center, which it leased back to API.<ref>{{cite book |last=Dinger |first=Ed |title=International Directory of Company Histories |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gx5202/is_1998/ai_n19122709 |archiveurl=http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20091001092215/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_gx5202/is_1998/ai_n19122709 |deadurl=yes |archivedate=October 1, 2009 |accessdate=May 23, 2008 |volume=69 |date= |year=1998 |publisher= |location= |chapter=The Franklin Mint}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/12/14/business/warner-to-sell-most-of-franklin-mint.html |title=WARNER TO SELL MOST OF FRANKLIN MINT |date=December 14, 1984 |agency=Associated Press |via=The New York Times}}</ref>

In 1980, Turner launched [[CNN]], the first 24-hour all-news network, redefining the way the world received breaking news.<ref name="history.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/cnn-launches |title=CNN launches |work=[[History (U.S. TV network)|History]] |publisher=[[A&E Networks]] |date= |accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref>

In January 1983, Warner expanded their interests to baseball. Under the direction of Caesar P. Kimmel, executive vice-president, bought 48 percent of the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] for $10 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=zZ0cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QGgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6369%2C1957933 |title=Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Google News Archive Search |work=google.com}}</ref> The company then put up its share for sale in November 1984 following losses of $6 million due to its failed attempt to launch a cable sports package. The team's majority owner, [[John W. Galbreath]], soon followed suit after learning of Warner's actions.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/21/sports/galbreaths-to-sell-pirates-pittsburgh-nov-20-upi-the-galbreath-family-which-has.html |title=Galbreaths to Sell Pirates PITTSBURGH, Nov. 20 (UPI) - The Galbreath family, which has |date=November 21, 1984 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]}}</ref> Both Galbreath and Warner sold the Pirates to local investors in March 1986.

In 1984, due to major losses spurred by subsidiary Atari Inc.'s losses, Warner sold Atari Inc.'s Consumer Division assets to [[Jack Tramiel]]. It kept the rest of the company and named it [[Atari Games]], eventually reducing it to just the Coin Division. They sold Atari Games to [[Namco]] in 1985, and repurchased it in 1992, renaming it [[Time Warner Interactive]], until it was sold to [[Midway Games]] in 1996. In a long-expected deal, Warner Communications acquired [[Lorimar-Telepictures]]; the acquisition was finalized on January 12, 1989.<ref name="Alive">{{cite web |author=Cyclone / X-Troll |url=http://alive.atari.org/alive6/tramiel.php |title=Alive 6 - tramiel |publisher=Alive.atari.org |date= |accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref>

== History ==
Plans to merge Time Inc. and Warner Communications were made public on March 4, 1989.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/05/us/time-inc-and-warner-to-merge-creating-largest-media-company.html |title=Time Inc. and Warner to Merge, Creating Largest Media Company |date=March 5, 1989 |work=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]}}</ref> During the summer of that same year, Paramount Communications (formerly [[Gulf and Western Industries|Gulf+Western]]) launched a $12.2 billion hostile bid to acquire Time, Inc. in an attempt to end a stock-swap merger deal between Time and Warner Communications. Time raised its bid to $14.9 Billion in cash and stock. Paramount responded by filing a lawsuit in a Delaware court to block the Time/Warner merger. The court ruled twice in favor of Time, forcing Paramount to drop both the Time acquisition and the lawsuit, and allowing the two companies' merger, which was completed on January 10, 1990.

=== 1990s ===
[[US West]] partnered with Time Warner in 1993 to form what is now known as [[TW Telecom]], initially known as ''Time Warner Communications'' (also utilized as the brand name for cable operation previously under the ATC name), in order to bring telephone via fiber to the masses. US West also took a 26% stake in the entertainment portion of the company, calling that division ''Time Warner Entertainment'' (or legally ''Time Warner Entertainment Company L.P.''). US West's stake eventually passed to acquired cable company [[MediaOne]], then to [[AT&T Broadband]] in 1999 when that company acquired MediaOne, then finally to [[Comcast]] in 2001 when that company bought the AT&T Broadband division. Comcast sold their stake in the company in 2003, relegating the name to a subdivision under Time Warner Cable.

In October 10, 1996, Time Warner merged with Turner Broadcasting System, which was established by [[Ted Turner]]. Not only did this result in the company (in a way) re-entering the basic cable television industry (in regards to nationally available channels), but Warner Bros. also regained the rights to their pre-1950<ref name="ymrt">''You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story'' (2008), p. 255.</ref><ref>WB retained a pair of features from 1949 that they merely distributed, and all short subjects released on or after September 1, 1948; in addition to all cartoons released in August 1948.</ref> film library, which by then had been owned by Turner (the films are still technically held by Turner, but WB is responsible for sales and distribution),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/10/11/business/holders-back-time-warner-turner-merger.html |title=Holders Back Time Warner-Turner Merger |date=October 11, 1996 |work=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]]}}</ref> while Turner gained access to WB's post-1950 library, as well as other WB-owned properties.

Time Warner purchased the [[Six Flags|Six Flags Theme Parks]] chain in 1993. The company later sold all Six Flags parks and properties to Oklahoma-based [[Six Flags#History of Premier Parks|Premier Parks]] on April 1, 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1993-09-21/business/fi-37629_1_time-warner |title=Time Warner Completes Six Flags Purchase : Amusement: Company will use more of its cartoon characters at theme parks, including site near Valencia. |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |publisher=[[Times Mirror Company]]}}</ref>

Dick Parsons, already a director on the board since 1991, was hired as Time Warner president in 1995, although the division operational heads continued to report directly to Chairman and CEO Gerald Levin.<ref>[http://business.time.com/2007/05/04/time_warner_coo_for_media_corp/ Time Warner COO: For Media, Corporate Diversity Is About Business], ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''</ref>

In 1991, HBO and [[Cinemax]] became the first premium pay services to offer multiplexing to cable customers, with companion channels supplementing the main networks.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.economist.com/node/21526314 |title=The winning streak |work=The Economist}}</ref> In 1993, HBO became the world's first digitally transmitted television service.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://prmarketingcommunication.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/brand-history-hbo/ |archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130618035819/http://prmarketingcommunication.wordpress.com/2012/03/12/brand-history-hbo/ |deadurl=yes |title=WordPress.com |date=June 18, 2013 |archivedate=June 18, 2013 |website=Wordpress.com |accessdate=December 16, 2017}}</ref> In 1995, CNN introduced CNN.com which later became a leading destination for global digital news, both online and mobile.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://img.labnol.org/files/translation.html |title=CNN News Website - Wikipedia |work=labnol.org}}</ref> In 1996, Warner Bros. spearheaded the introduction of the DVD, which gradually replaced VHS tapes as the standard format for home video in the early 2000s.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spannerworks.net/reference/10_8a.asp |title=DVD Basics and History |publisher=}}</ref> In 1999, HBO became the first national cable TV network to broadcast a high–definition version of its channel.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.multichannel.com/technology/hbo-cto-zitter-step-down/140623 |title=HBO CTO Zitter to Step Down |work=multichannel.com}}</ref>

=== 2000s ===
==== AOL Time Warner ====
[[File:AOL Time Warner Logo.svg|thumb|right|Logo for AOL Time Warner]]
In 2000, [[AOL]] stated its intentions to purchase Time Warner for $164 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.imaa-institute.org/statistics-mergers-acquisitions.html#TopMergersAcquisitions_Worldwide |title=Statistics on Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) - M&A Courses | Company Valuation Courses | Mergers & Acquisitions Courses |publisher=Imaa-institute.org |date= |accessdate=December 27, 2011 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120106045040/http://www.imaa-institute.org/statistics-mergers-acquisitions.html |archivedate=January 6, 2012}}</ref> Due to the larger market capitalization of AOL, their shareholders would own 55% of the new company while Time Warner shareholders owned only 45%,<ref name="aoltw-merger-pressrelease" /> so in actual practice AOL had acquired Time Warner, even though Time Warner had far more assets and revenues. Time Warner had been looking for a way to embrace the digital revolution, while AOL wanted to convert its stock price into tangible assets.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ninamunk.com/TheTakingOfTimeWarner.php |title=The Price of Freedom - Nina Munk |website=www.NinaMunk.com |accessdate=December 16, 2017}}</ref>

The deal, officially filed on February 11, 2000,<ref name="aoltw-merger-pressrelease">{{cite web |url=http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,667602,00.html |title=America Online and Time Warner Will Merge to Create World's First Internet-Age Media and Communications Company |work=Time Warner corporate homepage |date=January 10, 2000 |accessdate=May 6, 2007}}</ref><ref name="fcc-aoltw">{{cite web |url=http://www.fcc.gov/mb/aoltw/aoltw.html |title=America Online-Time Warner Merger Page |work=Federal Communications Commission homepage |author=Federal Communications Commission |date=March 25, 2003 |accessdate=May 6, 2007}}</ref> employed a merger structure in which each original company merged into a newly created entity. The [[Federal Trade Commission]] cleared the deal on December 14, 2000,<ref name="aoltw_ftc-cleared">{{cite web |url=http://ftc.gov/opa/2000/12/aol.shtm |title=FTC Approves AOL/Time Warner Merger with Conditions |work=Federal Trade Commission website |author=Federal Trade Commission |date=December 14, 2000 |accessdate=May 6, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070516084741/http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2000/12/aol.shtm |archivedate=May 16, 2007}}</ref> and gave final approval on January 11, 2001; the company completed the merger later that day.<ref name="aoltw-mergecomplete">{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1023-250781.html |title=AOL, Time Warner complete merger with FCC blessing |work=[[CNET News.com]] |author=Patrick Ross, Evan Hansen |date=January 11, 2001 |accessdate=May 6, 2007}}</ref> The deal was approved on the same day by the [[Federal Communications Commission]],<ref name="fcc-aoltw" /> and had already been cleared by the [[European Commission]] on October 11, 2000.<ref name="ec-aoltw-approve">{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/967049.stm |title=EU statement: AOL, Time Warner |work=[[BBC News Online]] |date=October 11, 2000 |accessdate=May 6, 2007}}</ref>

'''AOL Time Warner Inc.''', as the company was then called, was supposed to be a merger of equals with top executives from both sides. [[Gerald Levin]], who had served as chairman and [[CEO]] of Time Warner, was CEO of the new company. [[Steve Case]] served as [[Executive Chairman]] of the board of directors, [[Robert W. Pittman]] (president and COO of AOL) and [[Richard Parsons (businessman)|Dick Parsons]] (president of Time Warner) served as Co-[[Chief Operating Officer]]s, and J. Michael Kelly (the CFO from AOL) became the [[Chief Financial Officer]].<ref name="ninamunk.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.ninamunk.com/documents/PowerFailure.htm |title=Power Failure |publisher=Nina Munk |date= |accessdate=June 25, 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714183334/http://www.ninamunk.com/documents/PowerFailure.htm |archivedate=July 14, 2011}}</ref>

According to AOL President and COO Bob Pittman, the slow-moving Time Warner would now take off at Internet speed, accelerated by AOL: "All you need to do is put a catalyst to [Time Warner], and in a short period, you can alter the growth rate. The growth rate will be like an Internet company." The vision for Time Warner's future seemed clear and straightforward; by tapping into AOL, Time Warner would reach deep into the homes of tens of millions of new customers. AOL would use Time Warner's high-speed cable lines to deliver to its subscribers Time Warner's branded magazines, books, music, and movies. This would have created 130 million subscription relationships.

However, the growth and profitability of the AOL division stalled due to advertising and loss of market share to the growth of high speed [[broadband]] providers. The value of the America Online division dropped significantly, not unlike the market valuation of similar independent internet companies that drastically fell, and forced a [[goodwill (accounting)|goodwill]] [[write-off]], causing AOL Time Warner to report a loss of $99 billion in 2002 — at the time, the largest loss ever reported by a company. The total value of AOL stock subsequently went from $226 billion to about $20 billion.<ref name="scrapcharge">{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060727/wr_nm/media_timewarner_aol_dc_7 |title=AOL expected to scrap charges |first=Kenneth |last=Li |newspaper=[[Yahoo! News]] |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |date=July 26, 2006 |accessdate=August 9, 2006 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060818100420/https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060727/wr_nm/media_timewarner_aol_dc_7 |archivedate=August 18, 2006 |deadurl=no |df=mdy}}</ref>

An outburst by Vice-Chairman [[Ted Turner]] at a board meeting prompted Steve Case to contact each of the directors and push for CEO Gerald Levin's ouster. Although Case's coup attempt was rebuffed by Parsons and several other directors, Levin became frustrated with being unable to "regain the rhythm" at the combined company and handed in his resignation in the fall of 2001, effective in May 2002.<ref name="ajbianco.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.ajbianco.com/can_dick_parsons_rescue_time_warner.php |title=Anthony Bianco - Cover Stories |publisher=Ajbianco.com |date=May 19, 2003 |accessdate=December 27, 2011}}</ref> Although Co-COO Bob Pittman was the strongest supporter of Levin and largely seen as the heir-apparent, Dick Parsons was instead chosen as CEO. Time Warner CFO J. Michael Kelly was demoted to COO of the AOL division, and replaced as CFO by Wayne Pace. AOL Chairman and CEO Barry Schuler was removed from his position and placed in charge of a new "content creation division", being replaced on an interim basis by Pittman, who was already serving as the sole COO after Parsons' promotion.

Many expected synergies between AOL and other Time Warner divisions never materialized, as most Time Warner divisions were considered independent fiefs that rarely cooperated prior to the merger. A new incentive program that granted options based on the performance of AOL Time Warner, replacing the cash bonuses for the results of their own division, caused resentment among Time Warner division heads who blamed the AOL division for failing to meet expectations and dragging down the combined company. AOL Time Warner COO Pittman, who expected to have the divisions working closely towards convergence instead found heavy resistance from many division executives, who also criticized Pittman for adhering to optimistic growth targets for AOL Time Warner that were never met. Some of the attacks on Pittman were reported to come from the print media in the Time, Inc. division under [[Don Logan]].<ref name="kara.allthingsd">{{cite web |url=http://kara.allthingsd.com/20080806/the-125-million-sweet-dailycandy-revenge-of-bob-pitchman/# |title=The $125 Million-Sweet DailyCandy Revenge of Bob "Pitchman" - Kara Swisher - News - AllThingsD |publisher=Kara.allthingsd.com |date=August 6, 2008 |accessdate=December 27, 2011}}</ref> Furthermore, CEO Parsons' democratic style prevented Pittman from exercising authority over the "old-guard" division heads who resisted Pittman's synergy initiatives.<ref name="ninamunk.com"/><ref name="observer.com">{{cite web |last=Hagan |first=Joe |url=http://www.observer.com/node/46271 |title=Pittman's Last Stand | The New York Observer |publisher=Observer.com |date= |accessdate=December 27, 2011}}</ref>

Pittman resigned as AOL Time Warner COO after July 4, 2002, being reportedly burned out by the AOL special assignment and almost hospitalized, unhappy about the criticism from Time Warner executives, and seeing nowhere to move up in firm as Parsons was firmly entrenched as CEO.<ref name="observer.com"/> Pittman's departure was seen as a great victory to Time Warner executives who wanted to undo the merger. In a sign of AOL's diminishing importance to the media conglomerate, Pittman's responsibilities were divided between two Time Warner veterans; Jeffrey Bewkes who was CEO of Home Box Office, and Don Logan who had been CEO of Time. Logan became chairman of the newly created media and communications group, overseeing America Online, Time, Time Warner Cable, the AOL Time Warner Book Group and the Interactive Video unit, relegating AOL to being just another division in the conglomerate. Bewkes became chairman of the entertainment and networks group, comprising HBO, New Line Cinema, The WB, Turner Networks, Warner Bros. and Warner Music. Both Logan and Bewkes, who had initially opposed the merger, were chosen because they were considered the most successful operational executives in the conglomerate and they would report to AOL Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons.<ref name="kara.allthingsd" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1023-944761.html |title=Pittman to leave AOL Time Warner - CNET News |website=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date= |accessdate=December 27, 2011}}</ref> Logan, generally admired at Time Warner and reviled by AOL for being a corporate timeserver who stressed incremental steady growth and not much of a risk taker, moved to purge AOL of several "Pittman panzers".<ref name="ajbianco.com"/>

====Time Warner====
[[File:Time Warner wordmark.svg|thumb|right|Logo for Time Warner (2003—2018)]]
AOL Time Warner Chairman Steve Case took on added prominence as the co-head of a new strategy committee of the board, making speeches to divisions on synergism and the promise of the Internet. However, under pressure from institutional investor vice-president Gordon Crawford who lined up dissenters, Case stated in January 2003 that he would not stand for re-election as executive chairman in the upcoming annual meeting, making CEO Richard Parsons the chairman-elect. That year, the company dropped the "AOL" from its name, and spun off [[Time-Life]]'s ownership under the legal name Direct Holdings Americas, Inc. Case resigned from the Time Warner board on October 31, 2005.<ref name="ajbianco.com"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2005/BUSINESS/10/31/stevde.case.aol/ |work=CNN |title=CNN.com - Steve Case quits Time Warner board - Oct 31, 2005 |accessdate=May 25, 2010}}</ref> [[Jeff Bewkes]], who eventually became CEO of Time Warner in 2007, described the 2001 merger with AOL as 'the biggest mistake in corporate history'.<ref>{{cite news |last=Barnett & Andrews |first=Emma & Amanda |title=AOL merger was 'the biggest mistake in corporate history', believes Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/8031227/AOL-merger-was-the-biggest-mistake-in-corporate-history-believes-Time-Warner-chief-Jeff-Bewkes.html |publisher=Telegraph Media Group Limited |accessdate=February 26, 2013 |location=London |date=September 28, 2010}}</ref>

In 2005, Time Warner was among 53 entities that contributed the maximum of $250,000 to the second inauguration of President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Jim |last=Drinkard |title=Donors get good seats, great access this week |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inauguration-donors_x.htm |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |date=January 17, 2005 |accessdate=May 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Financing the inauguration |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-16-inaugural-donors_x.htm |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |date=January 16, 2005 |accessdate=May 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Some question inaugural's multi-million price tag |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-01-14-price_x.htm |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |date=January 14, 2005 |accessdate=May 25, 2008}}</ref> On December 27, 2007, newly installed Time Warner CEO Jeffrey Bewkes discussed possible plans to spin off [[Time Warner Cable]] and sell off AOL and Time Inc. This would leave a smaller company made up of Turner Broadcasting, Warner Bros. and HBO.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ata7DiR37G8I |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120221071715/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=ata7DiR37G8I |deadurl=yes |archivedate=February 21, 2012 |title=Time Warner May End Reign as Largest Media Company (Update2) |work=bloomberg.com}}</ref> On February 28, 2008, co-chairmen and co-CEOs of New Line Cinema Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne resigned from the 40-year-old movie studio in response to Jeffrey Bewkes's demand for cost-cutting measures at the studio, which he intended to dissolve into Warner Bros.{{citation needed|date=November 2017}}

In 2009, Time Warner spun out its Time Warner Cable division,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://dealbook.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/02/27/time-warner-cable-spin-off-to-finish-next-month/ |title=Time Warner Cable Spinoff to Finish Next Month |accessdate=May 25, 2010 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]] |date=February 27, 2009}}</ref> and later AOL, as independent companies.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/28/technology/timewarner_aol/ |title=Time Warner to split off AOL |first=Aaron |last=Smith |website=CNN Money |accessdate=November 9, 2017}}</ref>

=== 2010s ===
In the first quarter of 2010, Time Warner purchased additional interests in HBO Latin America Group for $217 million, which resulted HBO owning 80% of the equity interests of HBO LAG. In 2010, HBO purchased the remainder of its partners' interests in HBO Europe<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hbo-europe.com/ |title=HBO Europe |publisher=HBO Europe |date= |accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref> (formerly HBO Central Europe) for $136 million, net of cash acquired. In August 2010, Time Warner agreed to acquire Shed Media, a TV production company, for £100 million. Its distribution operation, Outright Distribution, was folded into Warner Bros. International Television Production.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2010/aug/05/independent-production-companies-television |title=Time Warner buys Shed Media |author=Steve Busfield |work=the Guardian}}</ref> On August 26, 2010, Time Warner acquired [[Chilevisión]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2010/08/Turner_Broadcasting_System_Inc_to_Acquire_Chilevisin_08-25-2010.php |title=Press Releases |work=Time Warner}}</ref> On August 25, 2010, Time Warner's Latin American division bought Chilean nationwide terrestrial television station [[Chilevisión]] from Chile's elected president [[Sebastián Piñera]]. WarnerMedia already operates in the country with [[CNN Chile]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2010/08/25/us-chile-chilevision-timewarner-idUSTRE67O37R20100825 |title=Time Warner buys broadcaster Chilevision |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

In May 2011, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group acquired [[Flixster]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2011/05/Warner_Bros_Home_Entertainment_Group_to_Acquire_Flixster_05-04-2011.php, |title=Press Releases |work=Time Warner}}</ref> a movie discovery application company. The acquisition also includes [[Rotten Tomatoes]], a movie review aggregator.

In June 2012, Time Warner acquired [[Alloy Entertainment]], a publisher and television studio whose works are aimed at teen girls and young women.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warner-bros-tv-group-alloy-entertainment-335850 |title=Warner Bros. TV Group Acquires 'Gossip Girl' Producer Alloy Entertainment |author=Lesley Goldberg |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]]}}</ref> On August 6, 2012, Time Warner acquired [[Bleacher Report]], a sports news website. The property was placed under the control of the [[Turner Sports]] division.<ref name="techcrunch2">{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2012/08/06/time-warnerbleacher-report-deal-gets-ftc-nod-price-reportedly-under-200/ |title=Update: It's Done. Time Warner Buys Bleacher Report, Price Reportedly $175M |website=[[TechCrunch]] |publisher=[[Oath Inc.]] |date=May 23, 2011 |accessdate=July 17, 2012}}</ref>

On March 6, 2013, Time Warner intended to spin-off its publishing division Time Inc. as a separate, publicly traded company. The transaction was completed on June 6, 2014.<ref name="mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com">{{cite web |url=http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/06/fate-of-four-time-inc-magazines-are-an-issue-in-talks-with-meredith/ |title=Time Warner Ends Talks With Meredith and Will Spin Off Time Inc. Into Separate Company |first=Amy |last=Chozick |publisher=}}</ref><ref name="twx">{{cite web |url=http://www.deadline.com/2014/06/time-inc-and-time-warner-shares-slip-as-magazine-company-goes-public/ |title=Time Inc Shares Slip As Magazine Company Goes Public |last=Lieberman |first=David |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |date=June 9, 2014 |accessdate=October 20, 2016}}</ref>

In January 2014, Time Warner, [[Related Companies]], and [[Oxford Properties Group]] announced that the then Time Warner intended to relocate the Company's corporate headquarters and its New York City-based employees to [[30 Hudson Yards]] in the [[Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project|Hudson Yards neighborhood]] in [[Chelsea, Manhattan]], and has accordingly made an initial financial commitment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.timewarner.com/newsroom/press-releases/2014/01/16/time-warner-inc-announces-new-york-real-estate-development-plans |title=Time Warner Press Releases |publisher=Time Warner |date=January 16, 2014 |accessdate=July 31, 2014}}</ref> Time Warner sold its stake in the [[Columbus Circle]] building for $1.3 billion to Related and two wealth funds. The move will be completed in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/17/nyregion/time-warner-announces-a-move-from-columbus-circle-to-hudson-yards.html?r=0 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]] |first=Charles V. |last=Bagli |title=Time Warner Is Planning a Move to Hudson Yards |date=January 16, 2014}}</ref>

In June 2014, [[21st Century Fox]] made a bid for Time Warner at $85 per share in stock and cash ($80 billion total) which Time Warner's board of directors turned down in July. Time Warner's CNN unit would have been sold to ease antitrust issues of the purchase.<ref>{{cite news |last1=SORKIN |first1=ANDREW ROSS |last2=DE LA MERCED |first2=MICHAEL J. |title=Rupert Murdoch Is Rebuffed in Offer for Time Warner |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2014/07/16/rupert-murdoch-said-to-have-made-offer-for-time-warner/?_php=true&_type=blogs&smid=tw-dealbook&seid=auto&_r=0 |accessdate=July 16, 2014 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |publisher=[[The New York Times Company]] |date=July 16, 2014}}</ref> On August 5, 2014, Fox withdrew its offer to purchase Time Warner.

==== WarnerMedia ====
On October 20, 2016, it was reported that [[AT&T]] was in talks to acquire Time Warner. The proposed deal would give AT&T significant holdings in the media industry. As AT&T's competitor Comcast had previously acquired [[NBCUniversal]] in a similar bid to increase its media holdings, in concert with its ownership of television and internet providers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |title=AT&T Discussed Idea of Takeover in Time Warner Meetings |last=Hammond |first=Ed |last2=Sherman |first2=Alex |last3=Moritz |first3=Scott |work=Bloomberg |date=October 20, 2016 |accessdate=October 20, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |title=Report: AT&T considering buying Time Warner |last=Yu |first=Roger |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |date=October 20, 2016 |accessdate=October 20, 2016}}</ref><ref name="AT&T Deal"/> On October 22, 2016, AT&T reached a deal to buy Time Warner for $108.7 billion. If approved by federal regulators, the merger would bring Time Warner's properties under the same umbrella as AT&T's telecommunication holdings, including satellite provider [[DirecTV]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/22/reports-t-agrees-buy-time-warner-more-than-80b/92589816/ |title=AT&T agrees to buy Time Warner for more than $80B |last=Yu |first=Roger |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |date=October 22, 2016 |accessdate=October 22, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-reaches-deal-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion-1477157084 |title=AT&T Reaches Deal to Buy Time Warner for $86 Billion |last=Gryta |first=Thomas |last2=Hagey |first2=Keach |last3=Cimmiluca |first3=Dana |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |publisher=[[News Corp]] |date=October 22, 2016 |accessdate=October 22, 2016}}</ref> The deal has faced criticism for the possibility that AT&T could use Time Warner content as leverage to discriminate against or limit access to the content by competing providers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/10/att-time-warner-boo-hiss/505367/ |title=Why the AT&T-Time Warner Deal Is So Unpopular |last=Chandler |first=Adam |work=[[The Atlantic]] |accessdate=November 8, 2017}}</ref>

On February 15, 2017, Time Warner shareholders approved the merger.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kludt |first1=Tom |title=Time Warner shareholders vote to approve AT&T merger |url=http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/15/media/time-warner-shareholders-att-merger/ |newspaper=CNNMoney |publisher=Time Warner |date=February 15, 2017}}</ref> On February 28, [[Federal Communications Commission]] chairman [[Ajit Pai]] refused to review the deal, leaving the review to the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]].<ref>{{cite news |title=FCC chief: AT&T-Time Warner deal won't face agency's scrutiny |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/02/27/fcc-chief-t-time-warner-deal-wont-face-agencys-scrutiny/98491670/ |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |language=en}}</ref> On March 15, 2017, the merger was approved by the [[European Commission]].<ref>{{cite news |title=European Commission Approves AT&T Acquisition of Time Warner |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/european-commission-approves-at-t-acquisition-time-warner-986380 |newspaper=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]] |language=en}}</ref> On August 22, 2017, the merger was approved by the [[Comisión Federal de Competencia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3291126-ts-85b-time-warner-deal-gets-mexicos-approval |title=AT&T's $85B Time Warner deal gets Mexico's approval |last=Aycock |first=Jason |work=[[Seeking Alpha]] |date=August 22, 2017 |accessdate=August 22, 2017}}</ref> On September 5, 2017, the merger was approved by the Fiscalía Nacional Económica.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fiercecable.com/broadcasting/at-t-time-warner-merger-approved-conditions-by-chilean-regulators |title=AT&T-Time Warner merger approved with conditions by Chilean regulators |last=Munson |first=Ben |work=Fierce Cable |date=September 5, 2017 |accessdate=November 21, 2017}}</ref>

In the wake of the presidency of [[President of the United States|US President]] [[Donald Trump]], Time Warner's ownership of CNN was considered a potential source of scrutiny for the deal, as Trump has repeatedly criticized the network for how it has covered his [[Trump administration|administration]], and stated during his campaign that he planned to block the acquisition because of the potential impact of the resulting consolidation. Following his election, however, his transition team stated that the government planned to evaluate the deal without prejudice.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/donald-trump-has-failed-to-kill-the-att-time-warner-deal-now-in-advanced-stage-2017-08-17 |title=Donald Trump hasn't been able to kill the AT&T-Time Warner deal, now in advanced stage |last=Flint |first=Drew FitzGerald, Joe |work=MarketWatch |accessdate=November 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/07/donald-trump-cnn-time-warner-merger |title=Did the White House Just Use the Time Warner-AT&T Deal to Threaten CNN? |last=Levin |first=Bess |work=The Hive |accessdate=October 27, 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/att-time-warner-merger-trump-white-house-1202491172/ |title=Senators Press Trump on White House Contacts Over AT&T-Time Warner Merger |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=July 11, 2017 |work=Variety |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |accessdate=October 27, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/senator-concerned-trump-cnn-clash-could-doom-at-t-time-warner-deal-1019337 |title=Senator Concerned That Trump-CNN Clash Could Doom AT&T-Time Warner Deal |work=The Hollywood Reporter |accessdate=October 27, 2017 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/07/trumps-hatred-of-cnn-is-a-wild-card-in-atttime-warner-merger/ |title=White House could use AT&T/Time Warner deal as "leverage" against CNN |work=[[Ars Technica]] |accessdate=October 27, 2017 |language=en-us}}</ref>

On November 8, 2017, reports of a meeting between AT&T CEO [[Randall L. Stephenson]] and [[Makan Delrahim]], assistant Attorney General of the [[United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division|Department of Justice's Antitrust Division]], indicated that AT&T had been recommended to divest DirecTV or Turner Broadcasting, seek alternative antitrust remedies, or abandon the acquisition. Some news outlets reported that AT&T had been ordered to specifically divest CNN, but these claims were denied by both Stephenson and a government official the following day, with the latter criticizing the reports as being an effort to politicize the deal. Stephenson also disputed the relevance of CNN to the antitrust concerns surrounding the acquisition, as AT&T does not already own a national news channel.<ref name="cnbc-deniedatt">{{cite web |title=Government never tried to force CNN sale in AT&T-Time Warner deal, official says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/09/government-never-tried-to-force-cnn-sale-in-att-time-warner-deal-official-says.html |work=[[CNBC]] |accessdate=November 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/randall-stephenson-att-cnn-time-warner-1202611055/ |title=AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson: We're Not Selling CNN and We'll Fight for Time Warner in Court |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=November 9, 2017 |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |accessdate=November 10, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://beta.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-att-time-warner-20171108-story.html |title=AT&T says it will not sell CNN despite pressure from Trump's Justice Department |last=James |first=Meg |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=November 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/att-time-warner-merger-cnn-trump-1202610228/ |title=AT&T Can't Easily Cut a Connection With CNN or Turner (Analysis) |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=November 8, 2017 |accessdate=November 8, 2017}}</ref>

On November 20, 2017, the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit over the acquisition; Delrahim stated that the deal would "greatly harm American consumers". AT&T asserts that this suit is a "radical and inexplicable departure from decades of antitrust precedent".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-20/at-t-is-said-to-face-u-s-antitrust-lawsuit-over-time-warner |title=AT&T Sued by U.S. Seeking to Block Merger With Time Warner |last=Foden |first=Sara |last2=McLaughlin |first2=David |last3=Moritz |first3=Scott |work=Bloomberg |date=November 20, 2017 |accessdate=November 20, 2017}}</ref> On December 22, 2017, the merger agreement deadline was extended to June 21, 2018, under a big vote of confidence.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/att-time-warner-extend-merger-agreement-june-21-trial-1202647896/ |title=AT&T, Time Warner Extend Merger Agreement Deadline as Trial Looms |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |work=Variety |date=December 22, 2017 |accessdate=December 22, 2017}}</ref>

On June 12, 2018, [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia|District]] Judge [[Richard J. Leon]] ruled in favor of AT&T, thus allowing the acquisition to go ahead with no conditions or remedies. Leon argued that the Department of Justice provided insufficient evidence that the proposed transaction would result in lessened competition. He also warned the government that attempting to obtain an appeal or stay on the ruling would be manifest unjust, as it would cause "certain irreparable harm to the defendants".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-time-warner-judge-fires-starting-gun-in-the-battle-against-tech-1528842076 |title=AT&T-Time Warner Judge Fires Starting Gun in the Battle Against Tech |last=Winkler |first=Elizabeth |date=June 12, 2018 |work=Wall Street Journal|access-date=June 12, 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/06/12/att-time-warner-decision/?noredirect=on |title=AT&T-Time Warner merger approved, setting the stage for more consolidation across corporate America |date=June 12, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/business/dealbook/att-time-warner-trial-antitrust-ruling.html |title=Why the AT&T-Time Warner Case Was So Closely Watched |last=Kang |first=Cecilia |work=The New York Times|access-date=June 12, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/att-time-warner-merger-approved-1202840369/ |title=AT&T-Time Warner Merger Approved |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=June 12, 2018 |work=Variety|access-date=June 12, 2018 |language=en-US}}</ref>

On June 14, AT&T announced that it had closed the acquisition deal on Time Warner, making it as the former's subsidiary and division. Jeff Bewkes stepped down as CEO of Time Warner while retaining ties with the company as senior advisor of its parent company AT&T. John Stankey, which headed the AT&T/Time Warner integration team, took over as CEO. It was also announced that the Time Warner brand would be dropped in favor of the name WarnerMedia.<ref>https://www.cnbc.com/2018/06/15/time-warner-is-changing-its-name-to-warnermedia-turner-ceo-to-depart.html</ref><ref>http://money.cnn.com/2018/06/15/media/warnermedia-john-stankey-announcements/index.html</ref> As a result of the structure of the merger, Time Warner Inc. became a limited liability company with the legal name Warner Media, LLC.<ref>{{cite web |title=Filings for Warner Media, LLC |url=https://www.sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar?action=getcompany&CIK=0001105705&owner=include&count=40&hidefilings=0 |website=EDGAR |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission}}</ref><ref>https://investors.att.com/~/media/Files/A/ATT-IR/financial-reports/quarterly-earnings/2018/2q-2018/2Q18%20WarnerMedia%20Trending%20Schedules.pdf</ref>

On July 12, 2018, the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] filed a notice of appeal with the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit|D.C. Circuit]] to reverse the District Court's approval. Although the Department of Justice reportedly contemplated requesting an injunction to stop the deal from closing after the District Court's ruling, the Department ultimately did not file the motion because WarnerMedia's operation as a separate group from the rest of AT&T would make the business relatively easy to unwind should the appeal be successful.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/business/justice-department-plans-appeal-of-att-time-warner-merger-approval.html|title=AT&T-Time Warner Deal Approval Gets Justice Department Challenge|work=The New York Times|access-date=2018-08-06|language=en}}</ref> The next day, however, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson told CNBC that the appeal would not affect its plans to integrate WarnerMedia into AT&T, or services already launched.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/13/doj-challenge-to-att-time-warner-deal-could-affect-disney-fox-comcast.html|title=DOJ challenge to AT&T-Time Warner deal could affect Disney and Comcast's bidding war for Fox, says AT&T's Stephenson|last=Shapiro|first=Ariel|date=2018-07-13|work=CNBC|access-date=2018-08-06}}</ref> In a brief filed by the Justice Department, it was argued that the decision to approve the acquisition ran "contrary to fundamental economic logic and the evidence."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/6/17658532/justice-department-att-time-warner-merger-appeal|title=Justice Department appeal says AT&T-Time Warner merger decision is ‘contrary to fundamental economic logic’|work=The Verge|access-date=2018-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/08/06/doj-calls-judges-approval-att-time-warner-merger-deeply-flawed/|title=Justice Dept. calls judge’s approval of AT&T-Time Warner merger ‘deeply flawed’|website=Washington Post|language=en|access-date=2018-08-06}}</ref>

On August 7, 2018, AT&T acquired the remaining controlling stake in [[Otter Media]], owner of online brands such as [[Fullscreen (company)|Fullscreen]], [[anime]] [[streaming service]] [[Crunchyroll]], and [[Rooster Teeth]], from the [[Peter Chernin|Chernin Group]] for an undisclosed amount. The company now operates as a division of WarnerMedia.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/att-buys-out-chernin-groups-stake-in-otter-media-1202898339/|title=AT&T Buys Out Chernin Group’s Stake in Otter Media|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2018-08-07|work=Variety|access-date=2018-08-10|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Salinas |first1=Sara |title=AT&T buys Otter Media, carrying on with M&A strategy despite DOJ challenge |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/07/att-buys-otter-media-carries-on-with-ma-strategy-amid-doj-challenge.html |accessdate=August 9, 2018 |work=CNBC |date=August 7, 2018}}</ref>

On August 29, 2018, [[Makan Delrahim]] told [[Recode]] that if the government were to win the appeal, AT&T would only sell Turner and if they also lost the appeal then the consent decree, currently set to expire on February 2019, will allow AT&T to do what they want with Turner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.recode.net/2018/9/1/17807096/makan-delrahim-antitrust-att-time-warner-donald-trump-kara-swisher-recode-decode|title=Full Q&A: Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim talks antitrust on Recode Decode|publisher=[[Recode]]|access-date=September 1, 2018}}</ref> The appeal is expected to have zero impact on the integration.<ref>https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/12/att-ceo-randall-stephenson-if-netflix-is-walmart-hbo-is-tiffany.html</ref><ref>https://nypost.com/2018/09/12/att-pressing-ahead-with-time-warner-merger-despite-doj-appeal/</ref> By September 2018, nine state [[attorney generals]] sided with AT&T on the case.<ref>https://www.reuters.com/article/us-time-warner-m-a-at-t/nine-state-attorneys-general-back-att-in-time-warner-appeal-idUSKCN1M6373</ref>

On October 10, 2018, WarnerMedia announced that it will launch an [[Over-the-top media services|over-the-top]] [[Streaming media|streaming service]] in late 2019 to compete with [[Netflix]], [[Amazon Video]] and [[Disney+]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-att-streaming-service-20181010-story.html|title=WarnerMedia announces new streaming service to compete with Netflix and Disney - Los Angeles Times|last=Lee|first=Ryan Faughnder, Wendy|website=latimes.com|access-date=2018-10-13}}</ref>

== Operating divisions ==
{{Main|List of assets owned by WarnerMedia}}
WarnerMedia consists of three principal operating divisions: [[HBO]], [[Turner Broadcasting System]], and [[Warner Bros.]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.warnermediagroup.com/company/operating-divisions |title=WarnerMedia Operating Divisions |work=WarnerMedia |date= |accessdate=July 13, 2018}}</ref>

=== HBO ===
{{Main|HBO}}
Home Box Office, Inc. operates the HBO [[premium television]] service as well as sister service [[Cinemax]]. HBO- and Cinemax-branded channels are available in over 70 countries around the world, and HBO programming is licensed to other television networks in over 150 countries.<ref name="tw-hbo-profile">{{cite web |url=http://www.timewarner.com/our-content/home-box-office/ |title=Home Box Office |work=Time Warner}}</ref>

In 2012, HBO was the number-1 premium pay television service in primetime television and total day ratings.<ref name="tw-hbo-profile" /> In 2013, the network received five Golden Globes and 23 primetime Emmy Awards.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://articles.latimes.com/2013/jan/14/entertainment/la-et-en-golden-globes-tv-20130114 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |accessdate=May 23, 2013 |title=Golden Globes 2013: A big night for HBO's 'Girls' and Lena Dunham |date=January 14, 2013 |first=Scott |last=Collins}}</ref> HBO's programming includes the airing of feature films, HBO Documentary Films, HBO Sports, original films, and original programming. The network has developed content distribution platforms, like HBO GO<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hbogo.com/#home/ |title=HBO GO. It's HBO. Anywhere. |work=HBO GO}}</ref> and Max GO to help support and deliver programming to users via online and mobile devices.

=== Turner Broadcasting System ===
{{Main|Turner Broadcasting System}}
Turner Broadcasting System is an entertainment, sports and news company that creates and distributes various programs. Turner owns cable channels and their brand extensions including [[CNN]], [[AT&T SportsNet]], [[TBS (U.S. TV channel)|TBS]], [[Turner Classic Movies]] (TCM), [[truTV]], [[Cartoon Network]] and [[TNT (U.S. TV network)|TNT]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.turner.com/company |work=Turner Broadcasting System |accessdate=March 9, 2018 |title=Company: Leadership}}</ref> Turner's brands and sub brands reach broad domestic and international audiences.<ref>[http://www.timewarner.com/our-company/pdf/TWX_AR_2012.pdf Time Warner 2012 Annual Report] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420064150/http://www.timewarner.com/our-company/pdf/TWX_AR_2012.pdf |date=April 20, 2013 }}</ref> In addition to television network programming, Turner manages digital sports entities, including bleacherreport.com, NBA.com, PGA.com and NCAA.com. Turner primarily reaches audiences in the 18- to 34-year-old bracket.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/ratings/2013/01/03/tbs-now-officially-reigns-as-basic-cables-number-1-network-of-the-year-with-adults-18-34-in-primetime-236412/20130103turner01/ |work=The Futon Critic |accessdate=May 23, 2013 |title=TBS Now Officially Reigns as Basic Cable's #1 Network of the Year with Adults 18-34 in Primetime |date=January 3, 2013}}</ref> Turner Sports produces sports programming and content for Turner networks and related digital properties. Turner Sports' television lineup includes [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] and [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] games, the [[NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament|NCAA Tournament]] Games, and the [[PGA Championship]]. Turner and the NBA jointly manage a portfolio of the NBA's digital businesses, including [[NBA TV]], NBA.com, NBA League Pass, NBA Mobile and the NBA GameTime app. Also Turner and MLB jointly manage a portfolio of the MLB's digital businesses including [[MLB Network]], MLB.com, MLB Extra Innings and the MLB Network App.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://turner.com/ |title=Turner Pressroom |work=Turner Pressroom}}</ref>

=== Warner Bros. ===
{{Main|Warner Bros.}}
Warner Bros.' businesses range from feature film and TV to home entertainment production and worldwide distribution to home video, digital distribution, animation, comic books, licensing and international cinemas and broadcasting. In 2012, the Warner Bros. Pictures Group grossed 4.3 billion dollars at the worldwide box office.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/06/idUS167262+06-Jan-2012+BW20120106 |work=[[Reuters]] |accessdate=May 23, 2013 |title=Warner Bros. Pictures Group Has Another Record-Breaking Year at the Box Office |date=January 6, 2012}}</ref> Home Video is the industry leader with a 21% market share in total DVD and Blu-ray sales.

The Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group works across platforms and outlets in the digital realm with [[Video on demand|video-on-demand]], branded channels, original content, anti-piracy technology and broadband & wireless destinations. Each year Warner Bros. Pictures produces between 18 and 22 films. Warner Bros. has produced more than 50 television series in the 2012–2013 television season. Warner Bros. has also incorporated [[DC Comics]] content into Warner Bros. Entertainment via the creation of the [[DC Comics#DC Entertainment|DC Entertainment]] division, which was founded in 2009. DC Entertainment, which is wholly owned by the Company, is responsible for bringing the stories and characters from the DC Comics, [[Vertigo (DC Comics)|Vertigo]] and [[Mad (magazine)|MAD]] Magazine publishing portfolios into other Warner Bros. content and distribution businesses, including feature films, television programming, video games, direct-to-consumer platforms and consumer products. The DC Comics imprint, home to such iconic characters as [[Batman]], [[Superman]], [[Wonder Woman]], [[Flash (comics)|Flash]] and [[Green Lantern]], has launched digital versions of its top comic book and graphic novel titles, making them available for download on digital platforms.

== Commercial properties ==
WarnerMedia owns several large properties in New York City; certain buildings in the [[Rockefeller Center]] complex and adjacent office towers house its main offices; one of which houses a [[CNN]] news studio. In late 2003, Time Warner finished construction of a new twin-tower complex, designed to serve as additional office space, facing Columbus Circle on the southwestern edge of Central Park. Originally called the AOL Time Warner Center, the 755-foot (230 m), 55-floor mixed-use property was renamed Time Warner Center when the company itself was renamed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.related.com/our-company/properties/65/time-warner-center |title=Time Warner Center |publisher=Related.com |date= |accessdate=June 25, 2013}}</ref>

== Notable people ==
* [[John Stankey]], CEO of WarnerMedia
* [[Richard Plepler]], Chairman and CEO of [[HBO]]
* [[Kevin Tsujihara]], Chairman and CEO of [[Warner Bros.]]<ref name="hollywoodreporter.com">https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/turner-ceo-exiting-as-at-t-closes-time-warner-deal-1120614</ref>


== See also ==
{{Portal|New York City|Companies|United States}}
* [[List of conglomerates]]
* [[List of United States companies]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official website|www.warnermediagroup.com}}

{{AT&T}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:WarnerMedia| ]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in New York (state)]]
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Wikipedia - Benutzerbeiträge [de]

Benutzer:Maurice Safranek/Warner Media, LLC