{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6a13c15d-181a-4a2e-a662-739d0e7f731a/653827b2ebdabd001219a4f7?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"How Microsoft bagged Activision Blizzard","description":"<p>In the 1990s, Microsoft was seen as a tech industry bully. Once viewed as combative and ruthless in the eyes of regulators, the company underwent an image makeover in the decades since. Now, the FT’s Richard Waters explains how Microsoft’s transformation pushed their $75bn acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard over the line earlier this month.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>Clips from Activision Blizzard</p><p>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -&nbsp;</p><p><strong>For further reading:</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://www.ft.com/content/07c507bd-2ce7-4345-85bd-0c27f408afbe?segmentId=c6bc4c92-a175-c936-88fb-4dfe4ffadce7\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">How Brad Smith used Microsoft’s $1bn law and lobbying machine to win Activision battle</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.ft.com/content/e1b8ae61-0efe-42ea-89ee-368f224a6b55?segmentId=c6bc4c92-a175-c936-88fb-4dfe4ffadce7\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">The newfound influence of the UK’s competition watchdog</a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.ft.com/content/a94d92e0-cd99-11dc-9e4e-000077b07658?segmentId=c6bc4c92-a175-c936-88fb-4dfe4ffadce7\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">US v Microsoft: who really won?</a>&nbsp;</p><p>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -&nbsp;</p><p>On X, follow Richard Waters (<a href=\"https://twitter.com/RichardWaters\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@RichardWaters</a>) and Michela Tindera (<a href=\"https://twitter.com/mtindera07\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">@mtindera07</a>), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p><a href=\"https://www.ft.com/content/e28c3718-212b-4aca-b396-3b7d17621409\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com</strong></a></p>","author_name":"Financial Times"}