Company Mergers

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that, in January 2001, the merger between AOL and Time-Warner was the largest in media history. It was called a mega-merger and was worth $165 billion, but the merger itself was plagued by dissent and rancor, as chronicled in a number of books. The author points out that, in 1996, NBC hooked up with Microsoft to create the cable and Internet news operation, MSNBC, because Microsoft needed content for MSN, and NBC wanted to go head-to-head with CNN. The paper relates that, in 2000, GTE merged with Bell Atlantic to become Verizon Communications, the largest local phone company and wireless operation in the United States, with 88 million customers.

Table of Contents
AOL /Time-Warner
Microsoft/NBC
GTE/Bell Atlantic

From the Paper:

"Although there were some interim permutations and combinations of technology and content by the two companies, in the CNBC/Microsoft deal, NBC believed it could become an "entity" like AOL, even if on a slightly smaller scale. "No money or stock changed hands in the transaction, and the two companies plan to divide future revenues from ads and subscription services." Microsoft was to bear most operating costs while getting a bigger share of the profits. And, the people factor worked out better for Microsoft, too. "A significant chunk of the CNBC.com staff in Fort Lee, N.J., will be laid off, sources said. No layoffs are expected at Microsoft." "

More papers on Company Mergers:

• Research Paper # 94078 : "Cultural Integration in Company Mergers"
• Essay # 63625 : "Mergers"
• Essay # 59858 : "The Ford Motor Company"

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