Comcast’s Final Tally on Failed Time Warner Cable Deal: $336 Million

Comcast spent $336 million to not acquire Time Warner Cable. In the company’s Q1 earnings report, it reported $99 in “transaction” costs. If you add that to all the other transaction...
Comcast’s Final Tally on Failed Time Warner Cable Deal: $336 Million
Written by Josh Wolford
  • Comcast spent $336 million to not acquire Time Warner Cable.

    In the company’s Q1 earnings report, it reported $99 in “transaction” costs. If you add that to all the other transaction costs Comcast reported in 2014 it looks something like this:

    “The costs are mainly for legal fees and outside consulting firms—everything from Human Resources and IT consulting to banks and management consulting services,” Comcast VP of Government Communications Sena Fitzmaurice told Ars Technica. “Communications and lobbying fees would be included—however, what is included has to be direct and incremental—so only those fees that are directly and incrementally associated with the deal.”

    The deal, which was first announced in February of 2014, officially died on April 24, 2015. Comcast announced it had abandoned its efforts to acquire Time Warner Cable, following reports that said the Department of Justice and Federal Communications Commission were both gearing up to recommend against the deal.

    If the merger had been approved, the Comcast-TWC behemoth would’ve controlled 57% of the US broadband market and 30% of the cable market.

    Just as he said in the announcement of the deal’s failure, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said that they’re “moving on” in the earnings call.

    So, how much money is $336 million? A lot. How much is it to Comcast? Well, here’s a little perspective:

    Image via Steven Depolo, Flickr Creative Commons

    Get the WebProNews newsletter delivered to your inbox

    Get the free daily newsletter read by decision makers

    Subscribe
    Advertise with Us

    Ready to get started?

    Get our media kit