FCC Stops Clock on DBS Deal

[Gregg Lengling]

On Friday, the Media Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission stopped its clock on News Corp.'s proposal to take a controlling stake in Hughes and DirecTV.

In a letter sent to the companies' attorneys, the bureau said it was stopping the clock because "additional record development and consultations" between the FCC and the Department of Justice on the deal is required. The bureau also said it will send a request for supplemental documents tied to the transaction, but didn't provide specifics on that request in its letter.

Once the FCC receives a response to the request and completes discussions with the Department of Justice, the bureau said it will restart the clock.

The 180-day clock on merger and acquisition issues gives the FCC a timeline to complete action on any "transfer of control" applications. The clock is considered an informal benchmark, and the FCC can stop its clock at any time to consider additional matters tied to any transaction.