The telecom giant considers the fate of DirecTV satellite unit as cord-cutting saps subscriber base
By Shalini Ramachandran and Drew FitzGerald Updated Sept. 18, 2019 8:48 pm ET AT&T Inc. is exploring parting with its DirecTV unit, people familiar with the matter said, a sharp reversal from Chief Executive Randall Stephenson’s strategy to make the $49 billion bet on the satellite provider a key piece of the phone giant’s future.
There could be regulatory hurdles to any deal with Dish, which has about 12 million subscribers. When Dish’s predecessor EchoStar Communications Corp. and DirecTV’s former owner Hughes Electronics Corp. tried to merge in 2001, regulators ultimately blocked it on antitrust grounds, worried that many rural Americans would be left with only a single option to get their television service.
SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS Is it the right move for AT&T to part ways with the satellite service DirecTV? Why or why not? Join the conversation below. AT&T had 26 million U.S. pay-TV customers after it bought DirecTV, but subscribers have declined at a brisk pace as cord-cutting drives them to other entertainment options. Its pay-TV business, which includes satellite TV, fiber-optic video service and online channels, ended the second quarter with under 23 million customers. Mr. Stephens warned earlier this month at an investor conference that it would lose more customers in the third quarter.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
AT&T is reportedly exploring a parting of ways with DirecTV, including a spinoff as a public company or a merger with Dish NetworkThe Wall Street Journal reports that AT&T wants to get rid of DirecTV, one way or another.
Consulte Mais informação »
DirecTV Sale Scenarios Heat Up After Dish Commentary, Activist Pressure On AT&TAT&T, which paid $49 billion to acquire DirecTV in 2015, has faced increasing pressure from investors to get the satellite distributor on a more promising path. This week, the notion that the c…
Consulte Mais informação »
AT&T Sued for Allegedly Creating Bogus DirecTV Now AccountsA group of investors sued AT&T, alleging the telco artificially inflated subscriber counts for its DirecTV Now streaming service — including by creating fake accounts. In the federal clas…
Consulte Mais informação »
WSJ News Exclusive | Huawei Suspended From Global Forum Aimed at Combating Cybersecurity BreachesHuawei Technologies has been suspended from membership in a global trade group of companies, governments and experts set up to tackle computer security breaches and share information about vulnerabilities.
Consulte Mais informação »
GM no longer paying for striking workers' health insuranceGet breaking national and world news, broadcast video coverage, and exclusive interviews. Find the top news online at ABC news.
Consulte Mais informação »