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Justice Department seeks more information on $22-billion Roku deal after Trump blasts ouster of Fox News host
Los Angeles Times • • business
Key Points:
- Fox Corp.'s $22 billion acquisition of Roku, announced in June, aims to strengthen Fox's position in the streaming industry by accessing Roku’s 100 million households and boosting its advertising business.
- The U.S. Justice Department, under the Trump administration, requested additional information regarding the merger, a standard procedure but one that has raised speculation about increased scrutiny possibly influenced by political factors.
- The timing of the Justice Department's inquiry follows President Trump's public criticism of Fox over the ouster of anchor Maria Bartiromo, who had shared internal texts with the White House, fueling concerns about potential political retaliation.
- Legal experts generally view the Fox-Roku merger as unlikely to raise antitrust issues due to the companies' complementary businesses and lack of dominance in streaming, though uncertainty remains given the unpredictable nature of the current administration's actions.
- Fox and Roku expect to complete the merger by the first half of 2027, pending regulatory and shareholder approval, and have committed to cooperating with the Justice Department's review process.
