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View Full Version : DirecTV wants Echostar but sees regulatory hurdles

tom78221
03-29-2006, 10:35 PM
http://today.reuters.com/investing/financeArticle.aspx?type=mergersNews&storyID=2006-03-29T183644Z_01_N29251286_RTRIDST_0_MEDIA-DIRECTV-ECHOSTAR.XML
morgantown
03-29-2006, 10:57 PM
Even less likely than DTV buying TiVo...
TeeSee
03-29-2006, 10:58 PM
What's changed since 2002? Would this somehow no longer "stifle competition"?
tigersfanjj
03-29-2006, 11:01 PM
DirecTV said in February it was in talks with EchoStar to create a wireless high-speed network, which would put them in a stronger position to compete against cable operators and telephone companies that sell Internet, video and phone services.

I say bring it on. I've been waiting for well over 3 years for some type of high speed internet (besides Dway) to become available in my area.
ewolfr
03-29-2006, 11:48 PM
What's changed since 2002? Would this somehow no longer "stifle competition"?

Wasn't Echostar going to buy Directv the last time around? Also, back then you didn't have the phone companies jumping in (eg, Fios from Verizon) and offering video service when they tried to merge before. That would probably be the basis of their argument if they tried to do this again, but I sincerely hope that they never try.
tom78221
03-29-2006, 11:51 PM
Wasn't Echostar going to buy Directv the last time around? Also, back then you didn't have the phone companies jumping in (eg, Fios from Verizon) and offering video service when they tried to merge before. That would probably be the basis of their argument if they tried to do this again, but I sincerely hope that they never try.
Wasn't Echostar going to buy Directv the last time around? Yes
ebonovic
03-30-2006, 08:13 AM
And in the last 4 years, CableCo's have taken some pretty big leaps forward to be major compettition
Martin Tupper
03-30-2006, 08:29 AM
Telephone companies too.
HogarthNH
03-30-2006, 12:14 PM
While DirecTV may see regulatory hurdles, Charlie Ergen, E* CEO, hates Rupert Murdoch.

Unless the takeover is hostile, this will never occur.
morgantown
03-30-2006, 12:17 PM
While DirecTV may see regulatory hurdles, Charlie Ergen, E* CEO, hates Rupert Murdoch.

Unless the takeover is hostile, this will never occur.

IIRC, Charlie built that company with much of his own money -- fat chance Rupert. Buy TiVo instead and put it in a NDS wrapper.
skaeight
03-30-2006, 01:06 PM
While DirecTV may see regulatory hurdles, Charlie Ergen, E* CEO, hates Rupert Murdoch.

Unless the takeover is hostile, this will never occur.
From what I understand Charlie still owns at least 51% of E*. A hostile takeover is virtually impossible.