AT&T's victory in Time Warner merger clears way for deal bonanza

AT&T’s victory against the federal government’s challenge to a proposed merger with Time Warner furthers the company’s goal of becoming a media powerhouse and may clear potential hurdles for other businesses pursuing similar acquisitions.

The case, in which a federal judge rejected the government’s claim that the deal would hinder competition and raise consumer costs, was closely watched by businesses because the Justice Department rarely challenges so-called vertical mergers, or deals between two companies at different points in a supply chain that don’t compete directly.