Time Warner is spending big to retain senior staff ahead of its expected merger with AT&T.

The entertainment giant, which houses CNN, HBO and Warner Bros., granted 5.7 million shares of “special retention restricted stock” as part of its AT&T deal, it said on Wednesday during what is likely to be its final quarterly results announcement as an independent company.

That mega-merger could be approved by the Justice Department within weeks.

Time Warner noted the retention program cost it $147 million in the six-month period.

Overall costs related to its acquisition by the phone giant were $183 million over the same period, it said.

Time Warner revenue rose 5 percent, to $7.3 billion, aided by big box-office receipts for “Wonder Woman.” while subscription revenue at Turner and HBO grew 13 percent and 8 percent, respectively.

Analysts were less impressed with declining ad revenue, which was partly affected by the absence of the NCAA Final Four games.

Second quarter ad revenue was down 8 percent. Turner expects third quarter ad revenue to be down in the low single digits, while affiliate fee revenue continues to grow.