Microsoft and Activision Blizzard delay acquisition in push for UK approval

polygon.com:

Microsoft’s $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the publisher of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch, has been delayed past its July 18 deadline, the companies announced Wednesday. The deadline has been extended until Oct. 18 as Microsoft and Activision negotiate with the U.K.’s antitrust regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority.

The CMA blocked Microsoft’s buyout of Activision Blizzard in April, arguing that the merger would lead to “reduced innovation and less choice for UK gamers over the years to come” in the burgeoning cloud gaming market. Microsoft and Activision quickly appealed that decision, but on Monday, the Xbox maker and the CMA asked a judge to stay that process — the parties are reported to have held “productive” talks on remedies that Microsoft could agree to in order to help the deal pass. Bloomberg has reported that these remedies may include Microsoft selling off the rights to its cloud gaming operation in the U.K.

“Together with Activision, we are announcing the extension of our merger agreement to 10/18 to provide ample time to work through the final regulatory issues,” Microsoft president Brad Smith said on Twitter. “We will honor all commitments agreed upon with the EC and other regulators and continue to work with the CMA on the issues raised in the UK. We are confident about our prospects for getting this deal across the finish line.”

“The recent decision in the U.S. and approvals in 40 countries all validate that the deal is good for competition, players, and the future of gaming,” an Activision Blizzard spokesperson said in a statement to Polygon. “Given global regulatory approvals and the companies’ confidence that CMA now recognizes there are remedies