New York Post

Give my regards to, well, not Ti me Warner

- By ALEXANDRA STEIGRAD

Buh-bye Time Warner. While AT&T on Wednesday was being tight-lipped about it, the corporate name of the New York media giant is not long for this world.

The 28-year-old name — formed in 1990 with the merger of Time Inc. and Warner Communicat­ions — will be retired in the coming weeks should the megamerger not be delayed during an appeal.

As it is, the Time Warner name has been outdated since at least June 2014, when the media company spun out Time Inc.

Both AT&T and Time Warner declined to comment.

Rumors swirling in media circles have it that Turner Chief Executive John Martin will step down shortly after the $85 billion deal closes.

In addition, the merger will trigger a golden parachute with a payout of at least $79 million for Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes.

Bewkes is expected to stick around for a while to help John Stankey, president of AT&T’s entertainm­ent group, with the transition. In addition:

CNN boss Jeff Zucker and HBO Chief Executive Richard Plepler are expected to remain in their roles at the company.

The name of the Time Warner Center will change — but not immediatel­y upon the closing of the deal.

Layoffs at Time Warner corporate will take shape not too long af- ter the deal closes, sources said.

AT&T and Time Warner top executives will go on a media-appearance road show, giving details on the new merged company.

Internally, Time Warner will have a series of town halls for employees to ask questions and hear about the transition.

Stankey, who will oversee Warner Bros., HBO and Turner networks, will address employees in New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta.

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