Government says Comcast is permitted to sell A&E

    WASHINGTON — U.S. antitrust authorities have cleared Comcast Corp.’s more than $3 billion sale of its 15.8 percent stake in A&E Television Networks to The Walt Disney Co. and Hearst Communications Inc.

    The Federal Trade Commission said Monday that an early end to its 30-day review period for the deal was granted on Friday.

    The A&E networks contain History Channel, Lifetime, Biography as well as its namesake network.

    Comcast said in May that it exercised the option requiring Disney and Hearst to buy back its stake.

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    Comcast will receive about $1.95 billion in cash and a note from A&E for $1.072 billion.

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