AT&T to Merge Cable Unit With Comcast

12/20/01 - 07:12 AM EST

AT&T(T - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) agreed to merge its cable unit into Comcast(CMCSK - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) in a $72 billion transaction that will leave existing AT&T shareholders with a 56% equity stake in the combined firm.

The new company will have more than 21 million customers. The two firms don't currently compete head-to-head in any markets, which could lessen regulatory opposition to the deal.

The pact ends a five-month auction in which AT&T entertained bids from AOL Time Warner(AOL - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr) and Cox Communications(COX - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr).

Comcast will issue $47 billion in new stock to AT&T shareholders, giving them a 56% equity stake and a 66% voting stake in the new firm, while the family of Comcast president Brian Roberts will control one-third of the combined entity's voting interest.

Jim Seymour: AT&T (Sort of) Sells Broadband Unit to Comcast

Jim Cramer:Three Winners: AT&T, Comcast and AOL Time Warner

AT&T to Merge Cable Unit With Comcast

Comcast will also assume $25 billion in debt, including $5 billion of convertible preferred stock owned by Microsoft(MSFT - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr).

AT&T Chariman Michael Armstrong will be chairman of the new firm, which will be called AT&T Comcast, while Roberts will be chief executive. The transaction is expected to close in mid-2002.