Posted: Tue, Dec 9, 2003, 10:45 AM ET (1545 GMT)
A proposed acquisition of satellite television company DirecTV by News Corporation has won the approval of the majority of the commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission, Reuters reported late Monday. The article, citing sources familiar with the FCC's deliberations, said that three of the five FCC commissioners — all Republicans — have voted in favor of the $6.5-billion deal. The other two FCC commissioners, both Democrats, have yet to cast their votes, but unless one of the other three has a change of heart the deal will win FCC approval. That approval is considered critical for the companies to win final approval on the deal by antitrust regulators at the Justice Department. FCC staff reportedly recommended to the commissioners last week that they approve the deal with some conditions to prevent News Corp., which owns the Fox TV networks, from using its power against cable companies to withhold its programming in an effort to lure customers to DirecTV. Final approval for the deal is expected by the end of this month.

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•  Reuters article