John Malone, the pre-eminent dealmaker in the media and technology industry, is pressing for merger activity amid an anticipated rollback of regulations under the incoming administration of Donald Trump. Charter Communications, the cable television and broadband company that has just agreed to buy his Liberty Broadband, should be allowed to merge with rival cable operators Comcast, Cox or T-Mobile, the billionaire “cable cowboy” told investors on Thursday.
Trump’s anticipated dismissal of Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan and Department of Justice chief Jonathan Kanter has spurred hopes among media executives grappling with deflated share prices that tie-ups may escape harsh antitrust scrutiny. This is despite indications that the new White House administration is likely to continue strict enforcement of media deals.