FTC plans new in-house hearing against Microsoft-Activision acquisition
Update: Microsoft says that it still believes that the transaction will close by October 18
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Original story, September 27, 2023: The FTC will resume its pursuit to block Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
As reported by Seeking Alpha, the announcement comes per a new court filing.
"The commission has determined that the public interest warrants that this matter be resolved fully and expeditiously," the FTC filing said.
"The evidentiary hearing in this proceeding shall commence twenty-one days after the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issues its opinion regarding the appeal of the district court decision on the requested preliminary injunction."
This news comes months after the commission withdrew its internal administrative challenge seeking to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard. That hearing was originally scheduled to take place in August.
You can follow the acquisition's journey through our extensive primer.
Update, September 28, 2023: Microsoft has responded to the FTC's announcement plans for a new hearing.
A spokesperson said, "We still anticipate that we will close the transaction by October 18, and we have full confidence in our case and the deal's benefits to gamers and competition."