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AT&T Talking to DirecTV About Potential Acquisition

May 1, 2014, 7:36 AM by Eric M. Zeman @phonescooper

AT&T has spoken to DirecTV about the possibility of acquiring the satellite TV firm, according to The Wall Street Journal. Citing sources familiar with AT&T's plans, the Journal says AT&T wants to grab more pay-TV marketshare and approached DirecTV after Comcast made a bid for Time Warner earlier this year. DirecTV has about 20 million subscribers, and AT&T's U-Verse offering has just under 6 million subscribers. Combined, AT&T and DirecTV would be about the same size - 26 million customers - as the combined Comcast-Time Warner would be. DirecTV's current market capitalization is about $40 billion and AT&T's is about $185 billion, which means it should be fairly easy for AT&T to swallow DirecTV. Dish Networks, the country's other large satellite TV provider, recently won wireless spectrum at auction and has plans to launch a mobile broadband network at some point. Dish's moves and AT&T's interest in DirecTV signal continued consolidation in the TV-internet-phone businesses. It's not clear if or how acquiring DirecTV would impact AT&T's wireless business. Neither AT&T nor DirecTV commented on the Journal's report.

more info at Wall Street Journal »

FCC and Justice Dept. Likely to Approve AT&T-DirecTV Deal

The FCC and Department of Justice are wrapping up their review of AT&T's proposed $49 billion acquisition of DirecTV and don't have any real concerns, according to people familiar with the matter. The agencies may still impose conditions on the deal, but aren't likely to block it, says the Wall Street Journal.

AT&T Debuts Wireless/DirecTV Bundles

AT&T today rolled out combined wireless and television packages that rely on its recent acquisition of DirecTV. The basic package includes four wireless lines with unlimited talk and text with 10 GB of shared data and HD television service with up to four receivers (DirecTV or U-verse) for a combined price of $200 per month.

DirecTV Shareholders Approve AT&T Merger

DirecTV's shareholders today voted overwhelmingly in favor of merging with AT&T. The vote of confidence from DirecTV's shareholders is just one of several the deal faces.

AT&T Says More Local Channels Coming to DirecTV Now

AT&T today said more major broadcasters around the country are supporting DirecTV Now, it's mobile- and internet-based television service. According to AT&T, ABC is available in 30 new markets, NBC is available in 4 new markets, and FOX has expanded to one new market.

T-Mobile and Dish Discussing Possible Merger

T-Mobile and Dish Networks are negotiating a potential merger between the two companies, reports the Wall Street Journal. The companies have agreed to some of the broad strokes of combining, but not the details.

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Comments

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This forum is closed.

ReaperXero

May 7, 2014, 7:35 AM

Here we go again

One ring to rule them all..

Zpike

May 1, 2014, 11:29 AM

YAY

Yay for consumers! This couldn't possibly be bad.

nicolasl46

Time will tell. Direct TV is an amazing company with an even better customer service. The only reason I dropped them last month, its because they don't offer internet service in my area (outside DSL) and Time Warner was going to increase my internet s...
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tjobrien21

It may not be such a good thing. I have had AT&T wireless and landline in the past, and some of my customers are stuck with their data service for their offices.

In all cases, the customer service has been horrible, so if DirectTV ever provided go...
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Zpike

It seems that my sarcasm was wasted.

...

Joshmo

May 2, 2014, 11:54 AM

Comcast wont let this happen.....

They will throw any amount of money they have to at Washington to get this blocked.

Zpike

And though I hate Comcast, they should try to block this. But lets be realistic... ATT has the deeper pockets and the longer history with Washington.

WhySoBluePandaBear

May 2, 2014, 5:43 AM

AT&T is so concerned about brand image and reputation

They won't screw this up. I think we got some wise people leading this company - they think business, but aren't greedy Madoff's like the rest of the industry is.

Zpike

You must be trolling. No one could possibly believe that. This is the same ATT that wants to charge three times for the same content.

1. They will charge consumers for access to the content on the internet.
2. They will charge content providers fo...
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AT&T Talking to DirecTV About Potential Acquisition

Related

FCC and Justice Dept. Likely to Approve AT&T-DirecTV Deal

AT&T Debuts Wireless/DirecTV Bundles

DirecTV Shareholders Approve AT&T Merger

AT&T Says More Local Channels Coming to DirecTV Now

T-Mobile and Dish Discussing Possible Merger

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