Editing WarnerMedia (section)

=== AT&T acquisition; as WarnerMedia (2018–2021) ===
{{See also|United States v. AT&T (2019)}}
On October 20, 2016, it was reported that [[AT&T]] was in talks to acquire Time Warner. The proposed deal would give AT&T significant holdings in the media industry. AT&T's competitor [[Comcast]] had previously [[Acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast|acquired]] [[NBCUniversal]] in a similar bid to increase its media holdings, in concert with its ownership of television and internet providers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |title=AT&T Discussed Idea of Takeover in Time Warner Meetings |last=Hammond |first=Ed |last2=Sherman |first2=Alex |last3=Moritz |first3=Scott |work=Bloomberg |date=October 20, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-date=October 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021013535/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-20/at-t-said-to-discuss-idea-of-takeover-in-time-warner-meetings |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |title=Time Warner shares soar on AT&T's interest |last=Yu |first=Roger |newspaper=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company |date=October 20, 2016 |access-date=October 20, 2016 |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024233649/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/20/report-t-considering-buying-time-warner/92475270/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0" /> On October 22, 2016, AT&T reached a deal to buy Time Warner for $85.4 billion. The merger would bring Time Warner's properties under the same umbrella as AT&T's telecommunication holdings, including satellite provider [[DirecTV]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/22/reports-t-agrees-buy-time-warner-more-than-80b/92589816/ |title=AT&T agrees to buy Time Warner for $85.4 billion |last=Yu |first=Roger |newspaper=USA Today |publisher=Gannett Company |date=October 22, 2016 |access-date=October 22, 2016 |archive-date=October 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023013659/http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2016/10/22/reports-t-agrees-buy-time-warner-more-than-80b/92589816/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-reaches-deal-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion-1477157084|title=AT&T Reaches Deal to Buy Time Warner for $85.4 Billion|last=Gryta|first=Thomas|date=October 23, 2016|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=March 18, 2019|last2=Hagey|first2=Keach|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|last3=Cimilluca|first3=Dana|last4=Sharma|first4=Amol|archive-date=October 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023013659/http://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-reaches-deal-to-buy-time-warner-for-more-than-80-billion-1477157084|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal faced criticism for the possibility that AT&T could use Time Warner content as leverage to discriminate against or limit access to the content by competing providers.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/10/att-time-warner-boo-hiss/505367/ |title=Why the AT&T-Time Warner Deal Is So Unpopular |last=Chandler |first=Adam |work=The Atlantic |access-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405225924/https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/10/att-time-warner-boo-hiss/505367/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On February 15, 2017, Time Warner shareholders approved the merger.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kludt |first=Tom |title=Time Warner shareholders vote to approve AT&T merger |url=https://money.cnn.com/2017/02/15/media/time-warner-shareholders-att-merger/ |newspaper=CNNMoney |publisher=Time Warner |date=February 15, 2017 |access-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-date=April 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401233504/https://money.cnn.com/2017/02/15/media/time-warner-shareholders-att-merger/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 28, [[Federal Communications Commission]] (FCC) chairman [[Ajit Pai]] refused to review the deal, leaving the review to the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] (DOJ).<ref>{{cite news |title=FCC chief: AT&T-Time Warner deal won't face agency's scrutiny |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/02/27/fcc-chief-t-time-warner-deal-wont-face-agencys-scrutiny/98491670/ |newspaper=USA Today |language=en |access-date=2017-08-22 |archive-date=2017-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011232315/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2017/02/27/fcc-chief-t-time-warner-deal-wont-face-agencys-scrutiny/98491670/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 15, 2017, the merger was approved by the [[European Commission]] (EC).<ref>{{cite news |title=European Commission Approves AT&T Acquisition of Time Warner |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/european-commission-approves-at-t-acquisition-time-warner-986380 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en |access-date=2020-02-18 |archive-date=2020-07-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731041841/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/european-commission-approves-at-t-acquisition-time-warner-986380 |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 22, 2017, the merger was approved by the Mexican [[Comisión Federal de Competencia]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://seekingalpha.com/news/3291126-ts-85b-time-warner-deal-gets-mexicos-approval |title=AT&T's $85B Time Warner deal gets Mexico's approval |last=Aycock |first=Jason |work=Seeking Alpha |date=August 22, 2017 |access-date=August 22, 2017 |archive-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617093602/https://seekingalpha.com/news/3291126-ts-85b-time-warner-deal-gets-mexicos-approval |url-status=live}}</ref> On September 5, 2017, the merger was approved by the Chilean Fiscalía Nacional Económica.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fiercecable.com/broadcasting/at-t-time-warner-merger-approved-conditions-by-chilean-regulators |title=AT&T-Time Warner merger approved with conditions by Chilean regulators |last=Munson |first=Ben |work=Fierce Cable |date=September 5, 2017 |access-date=November 21, 2017 |archive-date=December 1, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032214/https://www.fiercecable.com/broadcasting/at-t-time-warner-merger-approved-conditions-by-chilean-regulators |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In the wake of the U.S. presidency of [[Donald Trump]], Time Warner's ownership of CNN was considered a potential source of scrutiny for the deal, as Trump had repeatedly criticized CNN for how it covered [[First presidency of Donald Trump|his administration]], and stated during his campaign that he planned to block the acquisition because of the potential impact of the resulting consolidation. Following his election, however, his transition team stated that the government planned to evaluate the deal without prejudice.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/donald-trump-has-failed-to-kill-the-att-time-warner-deal-now-in-advanced-stage-2017-08-17 |title=Donald Trump hasn't been able to kill the AT&T-Time Warner deal, now in advanced stage |date=Aug 17, 2017 |first=Drew |last=FitzGerald |first2=Joe |last2=Flint |work=MarketWatch |access-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023519/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/donald-trump-has-failed-to-kill-the-att-time-warner-deal-now-in-advanced-stage-2017-08-17 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/07/donald-trump-cnn-time-warner-merger |title=Did the White House Just Use the Time Warner-AT&T Deal to Threaten CNN? |last=Levin |first=Bess |work=The Hive |date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=October 27, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=August 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808000320/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2017/07/donald-trump-cnn-time-warner-merger |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/att-time-warner-merger-trump-white-house-1202491172/ |title=Senators Press Trump on White House Contacts Over AT&T-Time Warner Merger |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=July 11, 2017 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=October 27, 2017 |language=en-US |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027130452/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/att-time-warner-merger-trump-white-house-1202491172/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/senator-concerned-trump-cnn-clash-could-doom-at-t-time-warner-deal-1019337 |title=Senator Concerned That Trump-CNN Clash Could Doom AT&T-Time Warner Deal |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=October 27, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027130911/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/senator-concerned-trump-cnn-clash-could-doom-at-t-time-warner-deal-1019337 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/07/trumps-hatred-of-cnn-is-a-wild-card-in-atttime-warner-merger/ |title=White House could use AT&T/Time Warner deal as "leverage" against CNN |work=Ars Technica |access-date=October 27, 2017 |language=en-us |archive-date=October 27, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027180456/https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/07/trumps-hatred-of-cnn-is-a-wild-card-in-atttime-warner-merger/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 8, 2017, reports of a meeting between AT&T CEO [[Randall L. Stephenson]] and [[Makan Delrahim]], assistant Attorney General of the [[United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division|Department of Justice's Antitrust Division]], indicated that AT&T had been recommended to divest DirecTV or Turner Broadcasting, seek alternative antitrust remedies, or abandon the acquisition. Some news outlets reported that AT&T had been ordered to specifically divest CNN, but these claims were denied by both Stephenson and a government official the following day, with the latter criticizing the reports as being an effort to politicize the deal. Stephenson also disputed the relevance of CNN to the antitrust concerns surrounding the acquisition, as AT&T did not already own a national news channel.<ref>{{cite news |title=Government never tried to force CNN sale in AT&T-Time Warner deal, official says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/09/government-never-tried-to-force-cnn-sale-in-att-time-warner-deal-official-says.html |work=[[CNBC]] |access-date=November 10, 2017 |date=November 9, 2017 |archive-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171110000509/https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/09/government-never-tried-to-force-cnn-sale-in-att-time-warner-deal-official-says.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/randall-stephenson-att-cnn-time-warner-1202611055/ |title=AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson: We're Not Selling CNN and We'll Fight for Time Warner in Court |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=November 9, 2017 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=November 10, 2017 |archive-date=November 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109224334/http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/randall-stephenson-att-cnn-time-warner-1202611055/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-att-time-warner-20171108-story.html |title=AT&T says it will not sell CNN despite pressure from Trump's Justice Department |last=James |first=Meg |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171108220143/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-att-time-warner-20171108-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/att-time-warner-merger-cnn-trump-1202610228/ |title=AT&T Can't Easily Cut a Connection With CNN or Turner (Analysis) |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=November 8, 2017 |access-date=November 8, 2017 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406212056/https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/att-time-warner-merger-cnn-trump-1202610228/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 20, 2017, the Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit over the acquisition; Delrahim stated that the deal would "greatly harm American consumers". AT&T asserted that this suit was a "radical and inexplicable departure from decades of antitrust precedent".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-20/at-t-is-said-to-face-u-s-antitrust-lawsuit-over-time-warner |title=AT&T Sued by U.S. Seeking to Block Merger With Time Warner |last=Foden |first=Sara |last2=McLaughlin |first2=David |last3=Moritz |first3=Scott |work=Bloomberg |date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120214748/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-11-20/at-t-is-said-to-face-u-s-antitrust-lawsuit-over-time-warner |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 22, 2017, the merger agreement deadline was extended to June 21, 2018, under a vote of confidence.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2017/biz/news/att-time-warner-extend-merger-agreement-june-21-trial-1202647896/ |title=AT&T, Time Warner Extend Merger Agreement Deadline as Trial Looms |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 22, 2017 |access-date=December 22, 2017 |archive-date=December 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224031351/http://variety.com/2017/biz/news/att-time-warner-extend-merger-agreement-june-21-trial-1202647896/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On June 12, 2018, [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia|District]] Judge [[Richard J. Leon]] ruled in favor of AT&T, thus allowing the acquisition to go ahead with no conditions or remedies. Leon argued that the Department of Justice provided insufficient evidence that the proposed transaction would result in lessened competition. He also warned the government that attempting to obtain an appeal or stay on the ruling would be manifest unjust, as it would cause "certain irreparable harm to the defendants".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-time-warner-judge-fires-starting-gun-in-the-battle-against-tech-1528842076 |title=AT&T-Time Warner Judge Fires Starting Gun in the Battle Against Tech |last=Winkler |first=Elizabeth |date=June 12, 2018 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |access-date=June 12, 2018 |language=en-US |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=June 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613002328/https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-time-warner-judge-fires-starting-gun-in-the-battle-against-tech-1528842076 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/06/12/att-time-warner-decision/?noredirect=on |title=AT&T-Time Warner merger approved, setting the stage for more consolidation across corporate America |date=June 12, 2018 |access-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612215938/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2018/06/12/att-time-warner-decision/?noredirect=on |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/business/dealbook/att-time-warner-trial-antitrust-ruling.html|title=Why the AT&T-Time Warner Case Was So Closely Watched|last=Kang|first=Cecilia|date=June 12, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 18, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321154958/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/12/business/dealbook/att-time-warner-trial-antitrust-ruling.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/att-time-warner-merger-approved-1202840369/ |title=AT&T-Time Warner Merger Approved |last=Johnson |first=Ted |date=June 12, 2018 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=June 12, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612215708/https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/att-time-warner-merger-approved-1202840369/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On June 14, 2018, AT&T announced that it had closed the acquisition of Time Warner. Jeff Bewkes stepped down as CEO of Time Warner while retaining ties with the company as senior advisor of AT&T. [[John Stankey]], who headed the AT&T/Time Warner integration team, took over as CEO. On the next day, AT&T renamed the company as WarnerMedia (legally Warner Media, LLC).<ref name="rebrand" />

[[File:WarnerMedia.svg|thumb|right|Former logo for WarnerMedia (2018–2020)]]
On July 12, 2018, the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]] filed a notice of appeal with the [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit|D.C. Circuit]] to reverse the District Court's approval. Although the Department of Justice reportedly contemplated requesting an injunction to stop the deal from closing after the District Court's ruling, the department ultimately did not file the motion because WarnerMedia's operation as a separate group from the rest of AT&T would make the business relatively easy to unwind should the appeal be successful.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/business/justice-department-plans-appeal-of-att-time-warner-merger-approval.html|title=AT&T-Time Warner Deal Approval Gets Justice Department Challenge|last=Kang|first=Cecilia|date=July 12, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 18, 2019|last2=Lee|first2=Edmund|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190318024327/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/12/business/justice-department-plans-appeal-of-att-time-warner-merger-approval.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The next day, however, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson told CNBC that the appeal would not affect its plans to integrate WarnerMedia into AT&T, or services already launched.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/13/doj-challenge-to-att-time-warner-deal-could-affect-disney-fox-comcast.html |title=DOJ challenge to AT&T-Time Warner deal could affect Disney and Comcast's bidding war for Fox, says AT&T's Stephenson |last=Shapiro |first=Ariel |date=July 13, 2018 |work=CNBC |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-date=July 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180713152926/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/13/doj-challenge-to-att-time-warner-deal-could-affect-disney-fox-comcast.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In a brief filed by the Justice Department, it was argued that the decision to approve the acquisition ran "contrary to fundamental economic logic and the evidence".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/6/17658532/justice-department-att-time-warner-merger-appeal |title=Justice Department appeal says AT&T-Time Warner merger decision is 'contrary to fundamental economic logic' |work=The Verge |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405225926/https://www.theverge.com/2018/8/6/17658532/justice-department-att-time-warner-merger-appeal |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/08/06/doj-calls-judges-approval-att-time-warner-merger-deeply-flawed/ |title=Justice Dept. calls judge's approval of AT&T-Time Warner merger 'deeply flawed' |newspaper=Washington Post |language=en |access-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-date=August 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806235414/https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2018/08/06/doj-calls-judges-approval-att-time-warner-merger-deeply-flawed/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 7, 2018, AT&T acquired the remaining controlling stake in [[Otter Media]] from the [[Peter Chernin|Chernin Group]] for an undisclosed amount. The company operated as a division of WarnerMedia.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/att-buys-out-chernin-groups-stake-in-otter-media-1202898339/ |title=AT&T Buys Out Chernin Group's Stake in Otter Media |last=Spangler |first=Todd |date=August 7, 2018 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=August 10, 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011004501/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/att-buys-out-chernin-groups-stake-in-otter-media-1202898339/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Salinas |first=Sara |title=AT&T buys Otter Media, carrying on with M&A strategy despite DOJ challenge |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/07/att-buys-otter-media-carries-on-with-ma-strategy-amid-doj-challenge.html |access-date=August 9, 2018 |work=CNBC |date=August 7, 2018 |archive-date=August 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808113657/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/07/att-buys-otter-media-carries-on-with-ma-strategy-amid-doj-challenge.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

On August 29, 2018, [[Makan Delrahim]] told [[Recode]] that if the government were to win the appeal, AT&T would only sell Turner and if they lost the appeal then the February 2019 expiration of a consent decree AT&T reached with the Justice Department shortly before the deal closed would allow AT&T to do what they want with Turner.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.recode.net/2018/9/1/17807096/makan-delrahim-antitrust-att-time-warner-donald-trump-kara-swisher-recode-decode |title=Full Q&A: Assistant Attorney General Makan Delrahim talks antitrust on Recode Decode |publisher=Recode |access-date=September 1, 2018 |date=September 2018 |archive-date=September 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903045733/https://www.recode.net/2018/9/1/17807096/makan-delrahim-antitrust-att-time-warner-donald-trump-kara-swisher-recode-decode |url-status=live}}</ref> The appeal was expected to have zero impact on the integration.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/12/att-ceo-randall-stephenson-if-netflix-is-walmart-hbo-is-tiffany.html |title=AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson: Netflix is Walmart of video streaming |website=[[CNBC]] |date=September 12, 2018 |access-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-date=September 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180912163217/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/12/att-ceo-randall-stephenson-if-netflix-is-walmart-hbo-is-tiffany.html |url-status=live}}</ref> By September 2018, nine state [[Attorney general|Attorneys General]] sided with AT&T on the case.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-time-warner-m-a-at-t/nine-state-attorneys-general-back-att-in-time-warner-appeal-idUSKCN1M6373 |title=Nine state attorneys general back AT&T in Time Warner appeal |newspaper=Reuters |date=September 27, 2018 |access-date=September 27, 2018 |archive-date=September 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180927154207/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-time-warner-m-a-at-t/nine-state-attorneys-general-back-att-in-time-warner-appeal-idUSKCN1M6373 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On October 10, 2018, WarnerMedia announced that it would launch an [[Over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] [[Streaming media|streaming service]] in late 2019, featuring content from its entertainment brands.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-att-streaming-service-20181010-story.html |title=WarnerMedia announces new streaming service to compete with Netflix and Disney |last=Lee |first=Ryan |last2=Faughnder |first2=Wendy |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=October 10, 2018 |access-date=October 13, 2018 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013020508/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-att-streaming-service-20181010-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 14, 2018, Kevin Reilly, president of TNT and TBS, was promoted to chief content officer of all WarnerMedia digital and subscription activities, including HBO Max, reporting to both Turner's president David Levy and WarnerMedia's CEO John Stankey.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://deadline.com/2018/12/kevin-reilly-head-of-content-warnermedia-new-streaming-service-chief-creative-officer-1202519927/ |title=Kevin Reilly Named Head of Content & Strategy for WarnerMedia's New Streaming Service |first=Nellie |last=Andreeva |date=December 14, 2018 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=December 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212075518/https://deadline.com/2018/12/kevin-reilly-head-of-content-warnermedia-new-streaming-service-chief-creative-officer-1202519927/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |title=Kevin Reilly to Run Content for WarnerMedia Streaming Service |first=Natalie |last=Jarvey |date=December 14, 2018 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kevin-reilly-run-content-warnermedia-streaming-service-1169383 |access-date=December 14, 2018|archive-date=December 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181214215702/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/kevin-reilly-run-content-warnermedia-streaming-service-1169383 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/kevin-reilly-warner-streaming-1203089620/ |title=Kevin Reilly Named Content Chief for WarnerMedia Streaming Service |first=Daniel |last=Holloway |date=December 14, 2018 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=April 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405230157/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/kevin-reilly-warner-streaming-1203089620/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit|U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington D.C.]] unanimously upheld the lower court's ruling in favor of AT&T on February 26, 2019, stating it did not believe the merger with Time Warner would have a negative impact on either consumers or competition.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/at-t-time-warner-merger-approved-by-u-s-appeals-court-81-billion-takeover-wont-harm-competition/ |title=U.S. appeals court OKs $81 billion merger of AT&T and Time Warner |website=[[CBS News]] |date=February 27, 2019 |access-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331013453/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/at-t-time-warner-merger-approved-by-u-s-appeals-court-81-billion-takeover-wont-harm-competition/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Justice Department declined to appeal the decision further,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-timewarner-m-a-at-t/u-s-justice-department-will-not-appeal-att-time-warner-merger-after-court-loss-idUSKCN1QF1XB|title=U.S. Justice Department will not appeal AT&T, Time Warner merger after court loss|website=[[Reuters]]|date=February 26, 2019|access-date=March 19, 2021|archive-date=March 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210319030307/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-timewarner-m-a-at-t/u-s-justice-department-will-not-appeal-att-time-warner-merger-after-court-loss-idUSKCN1QF1XB|url-status=live}}</ref> thus allowing the consent decree to expire.

On March 4, 2019, AT&T announced a major reorganization of its broadcasting assets to effectively break-up the Turner Broadcasting System. Its assets were dispersed across two new camps, WarnerMedia Entertainment and WarnerMedia News & Sports. WarnerMedia Entertainment would consist of HBO, TBS, TNT, TruTV, and the direct-to-consumer video service HBO Max. WarnerMedia News & Sports would have CNN Worldwide, Turner Sports (later known briefly as Warner Bros. Discovery Sports, and TNT Sports from 2023), and the [[AT&T SportsNet]] regional networks led by CNN president [[Jeff Zucker]]. Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang, their respective production studios, as well as Turner Classic Movies and Otter Media would be moved directly under Warner Bros. [[Gerhard Zeiler]] moved from being president of Turner International to [[chief revenue officer]] of WarnerMedia, and would oversee the consolidated advertising and affiliation sales.<ref name="cnbc-wmreorganize">{{cite news |last=Feiner |first=Lauren |title=WarnerMedia reorganizes its leadership team after AT&T acquisition |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/warnermedia-reorganizes-its-leadership-team-after-att-acquisition.html |access-date=March 4, 2019 |work=CNBC |date=March 4, 2019 |archive-date=March 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304182211/https://www.cnbc.com/2019/03/04/warnermedia-reorganizes-its-leadership-team-after-att-acquisition.html |url-status=live }}</ref> David Levy and HBO chief [[Richard Plepler]] stepped down as part of the reorganization, which was described by ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' as being intended to end "fiefdoms".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-readying-overhaul-of-warnermedia-11551483138|title=AT&T to HBO, Turner: No More Fiefdoms|last=Flint|first=Joe|date=March 2, 2019|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=March 18, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660|archive-date=March 26, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326024730/https://www.wsj.com/articles/at-t-readying-overhaul-of-warnermedia-11551483138|url-status=live}}</ref> Turner Podcast Network, formed within Turner Content Distribution in 2017,<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |title=TV News Roundup: Zoe Saldana to Develop Adaptation of Israeli Unscripted Series 'Mothers' |url=https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/authentic-entertainment-cinestar-productions-new-series-1202455667/ |access-date=July 11, 2019 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=June 6, 2017 |language=en |archive-date=September 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910200527/http://variety.com/2017/tv/news/authentic-entertainment-cinestar-productions-new-series-1202455667/ |url-status=live }}</ref> became WarnerMedia Podcast Network by May 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last=Moss |first=E. B. |title=Corralling Conan to CNN: Building the WarnerMedia Podcast Network |url=https://www.mediavillage.com/article/corralling-conan-to-cnn-a-podcast-on-building-the-warnermedia-podcast-network/ |access-date=July 11, 2019 |work=MediaVillage |date=May 2, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=July 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711174145/https://www.mediavillage.com/article/corralling-conan-to-cnn-a-podcast-on-building-the-warnermedia-podcast-network/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In May 2019, [[Kevin Reilly (executive)|Kevin Reilly]] signed a four-year extension of his contract with the company, which additionally made him president of [[TruTV]] (alongside the other three WarnerMedia Entertainment basic cable networks), and chief content officer of direct-to-consumer for the new streaming service.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |title=Kevin Reilly Signs New Deal With WarnerMedia, Takes Over TruTV |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/kevin-reilly-warnermedia-contract-cable-1203216800/ |access-date=July 10, 2019 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 16, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406051424/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/kevin-reilly-warnermedia-contract-cable-1203216800/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On May 31, 2019, Otter Media was transferred from Warner Bros. to WarnerMedia Entertainment, and Otter's COO Andy Forssell became the executive vice president and general manager of the streaming service, while still reporting to Otter CEO Tony Goncalves — who would lead development.<ref name="vty0">{{cite magazine |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title=WarnerMedia Reorg Gives Otter Media's Tony Goncalves Oversight of Streaming Service Development |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-streaming-unit-otter-media-tony-goncalves-1203230363/ |access-date=July 9, 2019 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=May 31, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=July 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710012811/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-streaming-unit-otter-media-tony-goncalves-1203230363/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On July 9, 2019, it was announced that the new streaming service would be known as [[HBO Max]], which was launched on May 27, 2020.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Spangler |first=Todd |title='Friends' to Leave Netflix for WarnerMedia's HBO Max Streaming Service in 2020 |url=https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-hbo-max-friends-exclusive-streaming-1203262335/ |access-date=July 9, 2019 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=July 9, 2019 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709173957/https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/warnermedia-hbo-max-friends-exclusive-streaming-1203262335/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Roberts |first=Samuel |title=HBO Max: price, free trial, movies, the Snyder Cut and more explained |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/hbo-max-price-free-trial-movies-the-snyder-cut-and-more-explained |access-date=May 28, 2020 |website=techradar.com |date=May 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 29, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200529093553/https://www.techradar.com/news/hbo-max-price-free-trial-movies-the-snyder-cut-and-more-explained |url-status=live}}</ref>

In September 2019, Stankey was promoted to AT&T president and chief operating officer. By April 1, 2020, former Hulu chief Jason Kilar took over as WarnerMedia CEO.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |title=Former Hulu Chief Jason Kilar Named CEO of WarnerMedia |url=https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/warnermedia-jason-kilar-john-stankey-ceo-1203551551/ |access-date=April 24, 2020 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 1, 2020 |archive-date=April 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406115421/https://variety.com/2020/biz/news/warnermedia-jason-kilar-john-stankey-ceo-1203551551/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In August 2020, the company had a significant restructuring laying off around 800 employees including around 600 from Warner and 150+ from HBO.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/hbo-max-prepares-for-hundreds-of-layoffs-report|title=AT&T WarnerMedia Is Said to Cut Hundreds of Jobs|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 13, 2020 |website=thestreet.com |last=Owusu |first=Tony |archive-date=August 12, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812205825/https://www.thestreet.com/investing/hbo-max-prepares-for-hundreds-of-layoffs-report |url-status=live}}</ref> At WarnerMedia's Atlanta base, marketing and cable operations teams were particularly affected.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Siegel |first=Tatiana |title=WarnerMedia Begins Massive Round of Layoffs |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warnermedia-begins-massive-round-layoffs-1287678 |access-date=August 20, 2020 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 10, 2020 |archive-date=August 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828123635/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warnermedia-begins-massive-round-layoffs-1287678 |url-status=live}}></ref>

On August 10, 2020, WarnerMedia restructured several of its units in a major corporate revamp that resulted in TBS, TNT and TruTV being brought back under the same umbrella as Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Boomerang and TCM, under a consolidation of WarnerMedia Entertainment and Warner Bros. Entertainment's respective assets that formed the combined WarnerMedia Studios & Networks Group unit. Casey Bloys—who has been with WarnerMedia since 2004 (as director of development at HBO Independent Productions), and was eventually elevated to President of Programming at HBO and Cinemax in May 2016—added oversight of WarnerMedia's basic cable networks and HBO Max to his purview.<ref name="deadline-wmlayoffs"/><ref name="thr-wmlayoffs"/><ref>{{cite web|title=WarnerMedia Begins Massive Round of Layoffs|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warnermedia-begins-massive-round-layoffs-1287678|author=Tatiana Siegel|periodical=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group|date=August 10, 2020|access-date=August 31, 2020|archive-date=August 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200828123635/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/warnermedia-begins-massive-round-layoffs-1287678|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2020, it was announced that the company was planning to execute over a 1,000 job cuts in order to reduce costs. WarnerMedia plans to reduce costs by at least 20% in order to deal with the profit shortage caused by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/warnermedia-plans-thousands-of-job-cuts-in-restructuring-11602182057?mod=business_lead_pos1|title=WarnerMedia Plans Thousands of Job Cuts in Restructuring|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|last=FitzGerald|first=Drew|last2=Flint|first2=Joe|last3=Mullin|first3=Benjamin|date=October 8, 2020|access-date=October 9, 2020|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009001211/https://www.wsj.com/articles/warnermedia-plans-thousands-of-job-cuts-in-restructuring-11602182057?mod=business_lead_pos1|url-status=live}}</ref>

As a result of planned cost cutting programs, the sale of [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] was proposed, but ultimately abandoned due to COVID-19 related growth in the Gaming industry, as well as a positive reception to upcoming [[DC Comics]], [[Lego]] ''[[Star Wars]],'' and ''[[Harry Potter]]'' titles from fans and critics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ahmed |first=Nabila |last2=Moritz |first2=Scott |date=September 1, 2020 |title=AT&T to Scrap Sale of Warner Bros. Video-Game Unit |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-01/at-t-is-said-to-scrap-sale-of-warner-bros-video-game-unit |access-date=October 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200904021610/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-09-01/at-t-is-said-to-scrap-sale-of-warner-bros-video-game-unit |archive-date=September 4, 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Crunchyroll]] was sold to [[Sony]]'s [[Funimation]] for {{USD|1.175 billion}} in December 2020, with the acquisition closing in August 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/9/21547657/sonys-funimation-acquires-crunchyroll-deal-price-watching-anime |title=Sony's Funimation acquires anime streaming service Crunchyroll for $1.175 billion |first=D.M. |last=Moore |date=December 9, 2020 |access-date=December 9, 2020 |work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |archive-date=February 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202182322/https://www.polygon.com/2020/12/9/21547657/sonys-funimation-acquires-crunchyroll-deal-price-watching-anime |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Mateo|first=Alex|date=August 9, 2021|title=Sony's Funimation Global Group Completes Acquisition of Crunchyroll from AT&T|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-08-09/sony-funimation-global-group-completes-acquisition-of-crunchyroll-from-at-t/.176073|access-date=August 9, 2021|website=[[Anime News Network]]|archive-date=August 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809205048/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2021-08-09/sony-funimation-global-group-completes-acquisition-of-crunchyroll-from-at-t/.176073|url-status=live}}</ref>

On December 21, 2020, WarnerMedia acquired You.i TV, an [[Ottawa]], [[Ontario]]-based developer of tools for building cross-platform video streaming apps. The company's products have been the basis of various WarnerMedia streaming platforms, including AT&T TV Now and the Turner channels' apps, and would be used as part of international expansion of HBO Max.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2020-12-21/warnermedia-acquires-you-i-tv|title=WarnerMedia Acquires You.i TV|publisher=Bloomberg|date=December 21, 2020|access-date=December 21, 2020|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028204845/https://www.bloomberg.com/press-releases/2020-12-21/warnermedia-acquires-you-i-tv|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=December 22, 2020|title=WarnerMedia buys You.i TV ahead of HBO Max global expansion|url=https://www.fiercevideo.com/tech/warnermedia-buys-you-i-tv-ahead-hbo-max-global-expansion|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201222152923/https://www.fiercevideo.com/tech/warnermedia-buys-you-i-tv-ahead-hbo-max-global-expansion|archive-date=December 22, 2020|access-date=December 22, 2020|website=Fierce Video|publisher=}}</ref>