 However, the deal attracted significant opposition from the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission for antitrust concerns, leading the two companies to withdraw the agreement in December 2002.As part of the merger agreement, EchoStar was required to pay Hughes $600 million for the failure of the merger.On April 9, 2003, News Corporation, the then-parent company of 20th Century Fox and Fox Television Studios agreed to purchase a 34% controlling interest in Hughes, including GM's entire share of the company, for $6.6 billion, subject to SEC approval.