The Senate Summoned The Wrong Time Warner To Talk About AT&T Merger

from the really-guys? dept

Thu, Oct 27th 2016 2:37pm — Mike Masnick

The big news earlier this week, of course, was AT&T's announced plans to purchase Time Warner. As we, and plenty of others, were careful to point out, Time Warner is a different and totally separate company from Time Warner Cable (which Comcast famously tried to takeover not that long ago). Yes, at one time they were the same company, but that was a long, long time ago. They've been separate since 2009. And yet, lots of people still get them confused. In fact, soon after the announcement of the deal, AT&T had to do a special filing with the SEC to clarify which Time Warner it was buying. Really.

Apparently, the Senate didn't get the memo (literally). The Senate Judiciary Committee's top four members (from both parties) put out a press release from the antitrust subcomittee, saying that it was going to hold hearings on the merger, and that the CEOs of both companies would be testifying. But they named the CEO of Time Warner Cable, not Time Warner.

Despite striking an $85.4 billion deal with AT&T Inc. over the weekend, [Time Warner CEO Jeff] Bewkes was unceremoniously left out of a release from the Senate Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, which said the CEOs of both companies would testify at a hearing on the proposed deal.

The reason? The four top Republicans and Democrats leading the Senate Judiciary Committee and its antitrust subcommittee accidentally invited Time Warner Cable’s former CEO Rob Marcus instead.

“Both Randall Stephenson, the CEO of AT&T, and Robert Marcus, the CEO of Time Warner, will testify,” the release said. The hearing announcement was sent by Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Patrick Leahy, Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

You'd think someone would have checked that.

Oh, and it's even worse than it seems, because Rob Marcus isn't CEO of either Time Warner or Time Warner Cable. He left Time Warner Cable after Charter Communications completed its deal.

And this is why so few people trust Congress. Congress is quick to opine on stuff that it regulates without doing even having the most basic understanding of what's going on. Summoning the wrong CEO of the wrong company is a pretty impressive flub.

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Filed Under: amy klobuchar, antitrust, chuck grassley, confusiong, jeff bewkes, merger, mike lee, patrick leahy, randall stephenson, rob marcus, senate, senate judiciary committee
Companies: at&t, time warner, time warner cable

21 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 27 Oct 2016 @ 2:54pm

Oh, you're not buying Time Warner CABLE? Well, then; merger approved.
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williamsmmsoe (profile), 27 Oct 2016 @ 2:57pm

Froth at the mouth first, check facts later I guess...
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Roger Strong (profile), 27 Oct 2016 @ 3:02pm

One day, after America is attacked, they'll approve the invasion of the wrong country.
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- Kal Zekdor (profile), 27 Oct 2016 @ 3:13pm
  
  Re:
  This post badly needs a "Beware of Poe's Law" sign.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- PRMan, 27 Oct 2016 @ 3:28pm
  
  Re:
  One day, after America is attacked (by someone in Pakistan), they'll approve the invasion of the wrong country (Iraq).
  
  Pretty sure we've already done this.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - Kal Zekdor (profile), 27 Oct 2016 @ 3:31pm
    
    Re: Re:
    See?
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
    - Roger Strong (profile), 27 Oct 2016 @ 3:53pm
      
      Re: Re: Re:
      Mr Big Content gave an even better example below.
      [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - nasch (profile), 28 Oct 2016 @ 7:30am
    
    Re: Re:
    
    Pretty sure we've already done this.
    
    I think this might be appropriate:
    
    http://giphy.com/gifs/joke-over-your-head-missed-l0MYCqSvoXpmeOVIA
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- That One Guy (profile), 27 Oct 2016 @ 4:56pm
  
  Re:
  One day, after America is attacked, they'll approve the invasion of the wrong country.
  
  No such thing, every country deserves to be annexed by the Holy 'Murican Empire, it's only by our grace and compassion that we wait for them to realize this fact and hand over sovereignty willingly rather than forcing the issue on our terms to bring them into the light.
  
  As such any country on the receiving end of Murican Freedom should not feel appalled at an unprovoked military attack, but should feel blessed that they are receiving their Freedom before other, perhaps more deserving countries.
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  - Socrates, 27 Oct 2016 @ 6:02pm
    
    Being relieved of all worries, forever. A godsend gift.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Mr Big Content, 27 Oct 2016 @ 3:16pm

Its Always Teh Democrats Who Get Things Wrong
What do you expect from Crooked Hillarys party?
VOTE TRUMP, and ALWAYS BE SURE OF THE FACTS!!!
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- Dariusz "Darkhog" G. Jagielski, 27 Oct 2016 @ 4:31pm
  
  Re: Its Always Teh Democrats Who Get Things Wrong
  This is a perfect example of Poe's law. I am really not sure if it was supposed to be a parody or genuine trump supporter.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
  - nasch (profile), 28 Oct 2016 @ 7:31am
    
    Re: Re: Its Always Teh Democrats Who Get Things Wrong
    
    I am really not sure if it was supposed to be a parody or genuine trump supporter.
    
    Check the poster name for clarification.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Unanimous Cow Herd, 27 Oct 2016 @ 5:58pm
  
  Re: Its Always Teh Democrats Who Get Things Wrong
  He is "The Trump". I don't like him but distrust him less than Hillyar. ‘What Difference At This Point Does It Make?!’
  
  ;)
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
streetlight (profile), 27 Oct 2016 @ 3:35pm

The congress doesn't regulate; Shows supidity of Congress
First, Congress doesn't regulate anything, Executive Branch agencies write regulations based on laws passed by Congress and signed by the President or overridden by Congress of a presidential veto. Congress certainly may influence regulators, though, and laws may require regulation.

Second, this shows how up to date members of Congress and its staff persons are when it comes to business and particularly businesses focused on technology issues.
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PlagueSD (profile), 27 Oct 2016 @ 3:56pm

Moron in a hurry
I think this is a prime example of "Moron in a hurry" I thing the Trademark office should elect one of them to be forced to change their name so as to no longer be confused with the other. I don't want to call Time Warner because my cable is out and have the TV network show up and tell me they can't do anything.
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Dariusz "Darkhog" G. Jagielski, 27 Oct 2016 @ 4:29pm

Maybe Time Warner/Time Warner cable should change name to avoid future confusions
I propose following two names:

Morons, Inc.
Idiots, Inc.
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- Anonymous Coward, 27 Oct 2016 @ 5:58pm
  
  Re: Maybe Time Warner/Time Warner cable should change name to avoid future confusions
  Actually, they are already in the process of changing their name to Charter.
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Padpaw (profile), 27 Oct 2016 @ 6:02pm

I don't trust congress as they willingly spit on their oaths in return for cash payoffs.
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OGquaker, 28 Oct 2016 @ 1:29am

keeping up
All their trucks are painted with 'Spectrum®' now

I'm stuck with TWC, since i only need a copper DSL.

AT&T sends a letter here every month for the last five years offering DSL for $14.oo...

A B.S. $lie that they ruined my credit with when i turned off AT&T before their 30day 'just try us' deadline, AT&T had jacked the price within the first bill.
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John Mayor, 28 Oct 2016 @ 9:58am

A BAD DEAL BY ANY OTHER NAME...
Richard Stallman doesn't approve of this deal!... and says so on his personal website! He links us to the URL, http://act.freepress.net/sign/consol_att_tw_merger/?t=1003&akid=5835.9489429.3tednM
.
Please!... no emails!
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