Coverage archive- Page 2 of 17

Live Nation: Trial Spotlights Scope of Entertainment Giant’s Influence and Alleged Abuses to Keep Grip on Industry

DOJ’s closely watched antitrust case against Live Nation Entertainment (LYV) and its ticketing arm, Ticketmaster, went to trial today in a lawsuit that could reshape competition in the U.S. live entertainment industry for years to...

Mar 02, 2026 Read Now >

Bayer: DOJ Deepens Corn and Soybean Seeds Probe By Issuing CIDs to Agriculture Giants, Independent Seed Companies

DOJ issued civil investigative demands (CIDs) last week to agriculture companies, sources familiar with the matter said—signaling that its antitrust probe of the corn and soybean seeds sectors is deepening. The rest of this publication is currently locked and only available to...

Mar 02, 2026 Read Now >

Nexstar/Tegna: States Poised to Sue to Block TV Station Merger That Would Create Overlaps in Dozens of Broadcast Markets

A group of state attorneys general are poised to sue to block Nexstar’s (NXST) proposed acquisition of rival television station operator Tegna (TGNA) once the $6.2 billion deal receives its anticipated clearances from DOJ and the Federal Communications Commission, sources familiar with...

Feb 27, 2026 Read Now >

Roblox: Age Checks Requirement Upends Socialization and Chat-Dependent Games Across Platform as Developers Voice Concerns

When Jack first discovered Roblox (RBLX) in 2011 as an eight-year-old, he was hooked. Inspired by roleplaying games, or “experiences,” that let him inhabit the role of soldier, cop, or service worker, he launched his own fast food-themed experience three years later that let users...

Feb 26, 2026 Read Now >

Tech/Media/Telecom Weekly: Profit Boom for Memory Chip Oligopoly Set to Continue in Short Term as Sources in National Security Community Say Policymakers are Unlikely to Soften Stance Toward Chinese Memory Chip Companies

The TMT Weekly is a forward-looking tipsheet that covers tech policy across The Capitol Forum’s U.S. policy coverage universe, from Congress to the Courts. In this edition: National Security Outlook: Profit boom for memory chip oligopoly set to continue in short term: Sources in...

Feb 25, 2026 Read Now >

EU Cookie Banner Cleanup Plan Faces Conflicting Pushback, Echoing Tensions That Tanked Past Efforts

The European Commission’s plan to relieve internet users of much-hated cookie consent banners is generating intense and, in some cases, conflicting opposition from a variety of interests, throwing its future – and at the very least its objective – into doubt. As parliamentarians and...

Feb 24, 2026 Read Now >

EU Likely to Publish Industrial Accelerator Act Next Week Despite Internal Divisions, Sources Say

The European Commission is expected to proceed next week with the publication of its Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), despite significant internal resistance, according to three people familiar with the matter. The proposal, drafted by the commission’s industry and internal market...

Feb 20, 2026 Read Now >

Nexstar/Tegna: FCC Chairman Carr Considers Keeping 39% Cap for Largest Networks, Lifting It for Smaller Rivals

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr—eager to clear Nexstar’s (NXST) proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of rival broadcaster Tegna (TGNA)—is considering lifting the national limit on TV station ownership for most companies but retaining it for the four largest...

Feb 18, 2026 Read Now >

Meta Faces Scam-Ad Complaint Under EU Digital Rules

Swedish media companies are accusing Meta (META) of violating the EU’s digital content-moderation and advertising-transparency rules by allegedly allowing rampant scam advertisements on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, according to a complaint seen by The Capitol Forum. The complaint...

Feb 18, 2026 Read Now >

Antitrust Agenda: Warner Reopens Merger Talks with Paramount; Cattle Ranchers Decry Trump EO Raising Argentina’s Beef Imports; Ohio AG Alleges Cannabis Cartel in Antitrust Suit; Maryland Moves Toward Algorithmic Pricing Ban

Warner Brothers re-opens merger negotiations with Paramount; experts and enforcers weigh in. Warner Brothers-Discovery (WBD) reentered deal talks with Paramount-Skydance (PSKY) this morning, asking for a “best and final” offer with a February 23 deadline to outbid Netflix’s (NFLX)...

Feb 17, 2026 Read Now >

EU Advances Visa, Mastercard Probes with New Questions, File Requests, Sources Say

The European Commission has in recent weeks asked parties involved in its investigations of Visa (V) and Mastercard (MA) to prepare non-confidential versions of documents detailing complaints about the companies’ conduct, so that the submissions can be added to the official case...

Feb 16, 2026 Read Now >

Kimberly-Clark/Kenvue: Rivals Expected to Raise Portfolio Concerns but Clearance Still Likely, Sources Say

Kimberly-Clark’s (KMB) proposed $48.7 billion acquisition of Kenvue (KVUE) is expected to face pushback from rival suppliers in Europe, who are concerned that the combined group’s broad portfolio in key consumer categories could strengthen its bargaining leverage with retailers and...

Feb 13, 2026 Read Now >

Live Nation: New DOJ Antitrust Head Assefi Tells Company Representatives Case Is Strong, He Favors Trial, Even as Settlement Talks Continue

Omeed Assefi, the acting head of DOJ’s antitrust division, told representatives of Live Nation Entertainment (LYV) today that the department believes it has a strong antitrust case against the company and that he favors going to trial on March 2, sources familiar with the matter...

Feb 13, 2026 Read Now >

Figure Technology Solutions: Blockchain-Based Home Equity Credit Product May Circumvent Lending Rules

Figure Technology Solutions (FIGR), a nonbank lender that uses blockchain to automate consumer credit lending, derives the bulk of its revenue from a home equity line of credit (HELOC) product that appears to operate much like a traditional home loan, raising questions about whether the...

Feb 12, 2026 Read Now >

Berlin’s China Dilemma Tests Europe’s Push for ‘Buy European’ Strategy

Germany’s deep economic integration with China, particularly in the automotive and chemicals sectors, has emerged as a major obstacle to Europe’s shift towards more protectionist trade and investment policies, a Capitol Forum analysis shows. Resistance is also building among EU member...

Feb 11, 2026 Read Now >

EU Nvidia Scrutiny Intensifies with New Questions on Data Center Components, Sources Say

The European Commission has in recent months questioned industry players about definitions of products involved in data centers as part of an antitrust investigation into Nvidia (NVDA), two sources familiar with the matter said. The commission has also asked whether different data...

Feb 11, 2026 Read Now >

EU Plans Major Sanctions Overhaul Targeting Russian Oil, LNG and Evasion Routes, Draft Proposal Shows

With Russia’s war in Ukraine nearing its fourth anniversary, the European Commission has proposed a new sanctions package that would enable a full ban on maritime services for Russian crude oil, remove the crude oil price cap, prohibit LNG terminal services for Russian entities, and...

Feb 11, 2026 Read Now >

Deutsche Boerse/Allfunds: Deutsche Boerse Chief Makes Case in Brussels for Landmark EU Deal, Sources Say

Deutsche Boerse (DBKG) chief executive Stephan Leithner has recently met senior officials from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition in Brussels to argue that its planned merger with Allfunds (ALLFUN) is essential to creating a ‘European champion’ in the...

Feb 11, 2026 Read Now >

Nexstar/Tegna: Appeals Court Stay Risk Looms Over Potential FCC Local, National Ownership Cap Waivers

President Donald Trump gave his stamp of approval to Nexstar’s (NXST) proposed $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna (TNGA) in a Saturday social media post that FCC Chairman Brendan Carr quickly re-shared, providing a clear signal that the agency plans to grant Nexstar waivers of the local...

Feb 11, 2026 Read Now >

Harrow: California Accusation, Settlement Could Spur Other State Boards of Pharmacy to Take Action Against ImprimisRx

Harrow (HROW), an ophthalmic drug company, announced last week that its compounding business had reached a settlement with the California Board of Pharmacy, paying a fine of $157,000 and voluntarily surrendering its state licensure in light of an August 2025 accusation from the Board....

Feb 10, 2026 Read Now >

Mark Hamer, One of DOJ Antitrust Head Gail Slater’s Top Deputies, Plans to Leave Department For Private Practice

Mark Hamer, one of DOJ antitrust head Gail Slater’s top deputies, is set to leave the department’s antitrust division to return to private practice, a source familiar with the matter said. The source said Hamer will be returning to Baker McKenzie, where he served as global antitrust...

Feb 09, 2026 Read Now >

Netflix/Warner Bros. Discovery: Paramount’s Ellison Offers to Submit Written Testimony as Answers Sought on Possible Donations and Lee Plans Second Hearing on Streaming Deal

Paramount Skydance (PSKY) Chairman and CEO David Ellison has offered to submit written testimony to the Senate Judiciary antitrust subcommittee on Netflix’s (NFLX) competing $72 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) after declining to answer questions in person, according to a...

Feb 06, 2026 Read Now >

Smithfield Foods/Nathan’s Famous: MAGA Food Supply Concerns, Past Alleged Violations Could Foil Plan for Quick CFIUS Clearance

Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods’ (SFD) attempt to fast track national security approval for its proposed $450 million acquisition of iconic U.S. hot dog brand Nathan’s Famous (NATH) could be derailed by administration concerns over China’s involvement in the U.S. food supply, the...

Feb 05, 2026 Read Now >

Sporttrade: Prediction Platform’s Struggles to Operate Under State Gambling Laws Illustrate Mismatch Between Sportsbook and Exchange Models

Long before Kalshi was offering contracts on NFL game outcomes, a little-known platform called Sporttrade tried to win permission from state gambling regimes to bring exchange wagering to the sports-betting world. The idea was simple: To create a platform through which people could buy...

Feb 03, 2026 Read Now >

CMS Policy: Proposed 0.09% Medicare Rate Appears More Likely to Climb Due to Technical Changes Than CMS Backing Down on Risk Adjustment Policies

Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published an advance notice proposing both technical and policy-related changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Part D payment methodologies that would, on average, result in a nearly flat rate increase of 0.09%...

Feb 03, 2026 Read Now >

KKR: Life and Annuity Funds Steered into Natural Gas Project Are Latest in Trend of Affiliated Private Credit Deals

The private equity and asset management firms that have taken over much of the life and annuity (L/A) sector are loading the portfolios of policyholders and annuitants with private credit investments, a trend that has drawn growing concern from regulators, policymakers, and industry...

Feb 02, 2026 Read Now >

Kid Rock, Senator Blackburn Say Trump Considering Executive Order to Cap Prices on Ticket Resales

Kid Rock said he’s optimistic President Donald Trump will sign an executive order to cap prices on ticket resales. The musician, who’s a close Trump confidante, spoke to The Capitol Forum after testifying at a Senate Commerce consumer protection subcommittee hearing last week...

Feb 02, 2026 Read Now >

Trump Triggers Revival of Big Tech Digital Services Tax Talks Among EU Officials

U.S. President Donald Trump may have walked back threats to seize Greenland militarily and impose tariffs on exports of European countries that stand in his way – but the damage is done. His willingness to jeopardize transatlantic alliances has prompted EU officials to take a hard look...

Jan 28, 2026 Read Now >

SoftBank/DigitalBridge: Deal Could Test Treasury’s Fast-Track Pilot Program for U.S. Allies

Japan’s SoftBank Group (TSE:9984) has filed its proposed $4 billion acquisition of DigitalBridge Group (DBRG) with the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), according to sources familiar with the matter, setting up what could be an early test of a Treasury...

Jan 26, 2026 Read Now >

Major UK Phase 2 Will Push CMA Analysis on Economic Growth Claims and Market Definitions, Sources Say

The UK Competition and Markets Authority’s fast-tracked phase 2 review of Associated British Foods’ (LON: ABF) proposed acquisition of Hovis will likely broaden the enforcer’s willingness to accept economic-growth focused arguments about failing firms, rivalry-enhancing...

Jan 26, 2026 Read Now >

Netflix/Warner Bros.: Senator Mike Lee Raises Concerns About ‘Killer Non-Acquisition,’ Abuse of Review Process

Netflix’s (NFLX) proposed takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery’s (WBD) studio and streaming businesses has triggered a powerful senator’s concerns that the $72 billion transaction is a “killer non-acquisition”: a pretense to secure business-sensitive information and weaken a...

Jan 26, 2026 Read Now >

Paramount/Warner Bros. Discovery: Paramount to File Hostile WBD Bid in Brussels, Seeking Early Clearance Before Netflix Vote

Paramount (PSKY) is preparing to file its hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) with the European Commission as early as this month to potentially get the deal cleared by the EC before Warner’s shareholders vote for the competing Netflix deal in April, according to two people...

Jan 21, 2026 Read Now >

Oral Tirzepatide Ads Could Conflict with Meta’s Ad Policy, Raise Other Legal Questions

In December, the attorneys general of 35 U.S. states and territories wrote a letter calling on Meta to address “the surge of misleading marketing for weight loss products on Meta’s platforms,” particularly for compounded GLP-1 products, which do not have Food and Drug Administration...

Jan 20, 2026 Read Now >

Charter/Cox: Alleged Price Gouging for High-Speed Broadband May Influence California Merger Review

Charter Communications (CHTR) charges higher prices for high-speed broadband in markets without rivals than in places with competition, a California agency said in a study that may prod state regulators to demand pricing caps in exchange for clearing the cable company’s proposed $34.5...

Jan 14, 2026 Read Now >

Vestager Urges Officials to Abandon X, Compares Social Media to Smoking Indoors

Civil servants and public bodies need to stop posting on X as Europe looks to depend less on American tech platforms and develop homegrown competitors, former EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager said in an interview. As European regulators confront X over its AI tool Grok,...

Jan 14, 2026 Read Now >

Congressional Appropriations Bill Directs FTC to Submit Reports Detailing Competition in Retail, Pharmacy, Grocery, and Fire Trucks

The latest funding package for the FTC directs the agency to submit reports to Congress on retail competition in the food, pharmacy and grocery sectors as well as consolidation in the fire truck market. Those requests come...

Jan 13, 2026 Read Now >

Senate Commerce Committee Plans Hearing on FCC National Ownership Cap Rule

This article has been updated with a statement from Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy. The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee is planning to hold a February 10 hearing on lifting the cap prohibiting a company from owning television stations that reach more than 39% of U.S....

Jan 12, 2026 Read Now >

Capitol Forum’s Tech Policy 2026 Predictions: Brinkema Will Break Up Google’s Ad Tech Monopoly, DOJ and/or States Will Appeal Google Search Remedy, Open AI Will Take Feud with Google to Europe, Big Tech Will Push for Trade Policy ‘Get Out of Jail Free Card’

As part of our tech policy coverage, we are launching our annual predictions on some of the most meaningful events expected to take place in 2026, which we will track regularly throughout the year. To discuss these predictions with Executive Editor Teddy Downey, please join us for a...

Jan 08, 2026 Read Now >

DEA Pushing to Restart Program That Allegedly Seized Millions From Innocent Last-Minute Air Travelers Targeted as Drug Couriers

The Drug Enforcement Administration is trying to bring back a controversial program that allowed it to search the carry-on luggage of boarding and exiting airline passengers who fit its profile of drug traffickers, The Capitol Forum has learned. At the same time, the DEA has been telling...

Jan 07, 2026 Read Now >

AkzoNobel/Axalta: Merger Likely to Face In-Depth EU Antitrust Probe, Sources Say

AkzoNobel’s (AKZA) $25 billion acquisition of rival coatings manufacturer Axalta (AXTA) could well be facing an in-depth European Union antitrust investigation and potential structural remedy demands due to the combined company’s likely dominance in the powder coating market,...

Jan 06, 2026 Read Now >

EU Commission Set to Reject Dumping Complaint Against Chinese Steel Imports

In an unusual move, the European Commission is planning to reject a dumping complaint against Chinese imports of alloy tool steel, according to a note published in its documents register. Trade lawyers working on similar cases, speaking to The Capitol Forum on condition of anonymity, said...

Jan 05, 2026 Read Now >

Inspire Medical Systems: Palmetto Removes Lucrative Billing Code for Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation; Decision Means No Remaining Medicare Administrative Contractors Recognize Code

The Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) Palmetto removed the CPT code 64568 from its list of approved billing codes for Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HGNS), according to an update posted yesterday to the Medicare Coverage Database. The move follows the recent updates by the MACs...

Jan 02, 2026 Read Now >

Inspire Medical Systems: Following Other MACs, WPS Removes Lucrative Billing Code for Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation

The Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) WPS removed the CPT code 64568 from its list of approved billing codes for Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation (HGNS), according to an update posted today on the MAC’s website. The move follows the recent updates by the MACs Noridian and CGS that...

Dec 29, 2025 Read Now >

Compass/Anywhere: Residential Brokerage Deal Creates Potentially Illegal Overlaps in a Dozen States, Analysis Shows

Compass’ (COMP) proposed $1.6 billion acquisition of rival Anywhere Real Estate (HOUS) could create concentrations in at least a dozen states’ urban real estate brokerage markets that are well above presumptively illegal thresholds, according to a Capitol Forum analysis of RealTrends...

Dec 23, 2025 Read Now >

Health Care Weekly: Zynex Files for Bankruptcy; Most FTC-Challenged Patents Delisted; TX AG Sues Epic; UnitedHealth Contract Dispute; Analysis of FDA Draft Guidance on Animal Testing; Report on Utilization Management in Traditional Medicare

Zynex files for bankruptcy. Yesterday, Zynex Medical (ZYXI) announced that it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the Southern District of Texas. The announcement comes after a turbulent year for the company during which the Defense Health Agency (DHA), Zynex’s largest source of...

Dec 17, 2025 Read Now >

Roblox: Child Exploitation Lawsuits Consolidated in California Federal Court as Attorney Says Thousands of Similar Cases Still Under Investigation

On Friday the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation granted a petition to consolidate dozens of private lawsuits that allege gaming platform Roblox facilitates the sexual exploitation and grooming...

Dec 17, 2025 Read Now >

Inspire Medical Systems: Medicare Administrative Contractors Working on ‘Consensus Approach’ to Resolve Billing Issue

At least three Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) are working on a “consensus approach” to resolving a billing dispute that could see some MACs paying much more than other MACs for hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HGNS) procedures, The Capitol Forum has learned. The rest of this...

Dec 15, 2025 Read Now >

X to Face Fine Under EU Digital Rules as Soon as Friday, Sources Say

The European Commission is poised to fine X in the coming days and possibly as soon as Friday in what would be the executive’s first-ever sanction under its content moderation and transparency law, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter. The timing could still...

Dec 04, 2025 Read Now >

Senate Judiciary Antitrust Panel Chairman Vows Hearing on Netflix/Warner Bros. Deal if Streaming Service Prevails in Bidding Process

Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), chairman of the Senate Judiciary antitrust subcommittee, said today he would hold a hearing on Netflix’s (NFLX) attempted takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) if the No. 1 streaming service prevails over rival bidders. “If that’s the direction they end...

Dec 04, 2025 Read Now >

Tech/Media/Telecom Weekly: USTR Delivering Big Wins for Big Tech; Experts See Challenges to State AG Effort to Pause HPE/Juniper Integration; Uber, Yardi, RealPage Litigation Updates; Apple vs. App Store Legislation; Massachusetts Privacy Bill Outlook; Nexstar/Tegna Takes Another Hit; Bankers Concerned with AWS Security

We are always innovating here at The Capitol Forum, and we want to introduce our first edition of the new Tech/Media/Telecom Weekly. In this edition: Trade Policymakers Outlook: As trade fight between Trump and Europe over Europe’s digital sovereignty rages, Big Tech has already...

Dec 02, 2025 Read Now >

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