The Walt Disney Company’s proposed $71.3 billion acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets has moved a step closer following approval from Chinese regulators.
Disney said it expects the deal to complete in the first half of 2019 – with some speculation that could now happen in the spring.
The deal still needs approval from several countries, but has already been given the go-ahead by US antitrust regulators, while the EU gave its approval earlier this month – with conditions.
Once the deal completes, Disney will gain control of brands such as National Geographic, FX and 20th Century Fox.