logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2023
8m 30s

Microsoft cleared to buy Activision Bliz...

MARKETPLACE
About this episode

From the BBC World Service: Microsoft’s revised offer to buy Call of Duty-maker Activision Blizzard has been approved by regulators in the U.K. The Competition and Markets Authority said the deal addressed its concerns, after the watchdog blocked the original $69 billion bid in April. Plus, it’s the 10th anniversary of China’s huge infrastructure project, the Belt and Road Initiative. Billions of dollars have been lent to countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America, but some countries are struggling with repayments.

Up next
Apr 2025
Uh oh, Pinot: How tariffs will impact the U.S. wine economy
Care for a glass of Chianti or Bordeaux after recent market volatility? It’ll cost ya. After a tense few weeks, President Donald Trump announced a 20% tariff on all EU goods, including wine. While you might think that U.S. producers would be cheering, domestic wineries and wine s ... Show More
8m 6s
Apr 2025
Some calm has come back to financial markets
Overseas stock markets and U.S. stock index futures are showing an upward move in prices today, and volatility is down in sharp contrast to yesterday morning. Yesterday’s rollercoaster ride resulted from false information about a potential tariff pause. Some $2.5 trillion went in ... Show More
9m 28s
Apr 2025
China’s not backing down in the tariff fight
From the BBC World Service: In a push toward a full-blown global trade war, China has reacted strongly to President Donald Trump’s threat to raise tariffs on its exports to more than 100%, saying it would “fight until the end.” Meanwhile, markets in Asia and Europe are more stabl ... Show More
8m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2023
Microsoft's deal to buy Activision boosted by US judge
<p>A US court has given Microsoft the green light to buy the videogame maker Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $69bn. Microsoft said after the US win, it would focus on resolving concerns around competition in the UK. The tech giant's merger with the Call of Duty owner would be ... Show More
50m 48s
Jul 2023
Microsoft Gets Green Light to Buy Activision
Bloomberg's Caroline Hyde breaks down the ramifications of Microsoft winning US court approval to move forward with its $69 billion dollar deal for Activision Blizzard. Plus, Ed Ludlow reports live from Sun Valley, Idaho as billionaires descend on the mountains for their annual g ... Show More
39m 12s
Dec 2023
Big Stories of 2023: The Microsoft-Activision Blizzard Deal
Nearly two years after Microsoft announced its intention to acquire video game company Activision Blizzard, it sealed the deal. But it wasn't a sure thing. We look back on how government officials around the world nearly prevented the merger and why. See omnystudio.com/listener f ... Show More
28m 44s