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AT&T To Buy Echostar?
A friend of a cousin of a Wall Street analyst says so....

We've seen rumors floated for years that AT&T would someday buy satellite operator Echostar, but the folks at The Street insist that acquisition talks are heating up. Citing "people familiar with the companies" (code for anybody), the website insists that AT&T is offering a buyout at $55 a share, though EchoStar is holding out for $65 a share.

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Echostar's Dish Network is already AT&T's partner on a DSL/DBS hybrid DVR service dubbed Homezone. Homezone is aimed at customers outside the deployment range of their U-Verse VDSL IPTV service (of which there will be quite a few). AT&T also resells satellite broadband service from Wild Blue.

Echostar on Tuesday announced that they'd be buying Sling Media in a $380 million deal. They also announced they'd be splitting themselves into two publicly traded companies, with one focused on Echostar's wholesale and international operations, and the other focused on consumer TV and broadband services.

It's that latter move that poured gas on the long smoldering AT&T acquisition rumor among Wall Street analysts, but it's not clear yet if any of the acquisition rumors are actually coming from either AT&T or Echostar. AT&T CFO Richard Lindner last year dismissed the rumors, saying additional acquisitions weren't necessary, but direct ownership of a satellite operator could help them fill in the U-Verse gaps.

The rumors certainly helped Echostar's stock, which rose 7% on The Street's report.
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K3SGM
- -... ...- -
Premium Member
join:2006-01-17
Columbia, PA

K3SGM

Premium Member

Dish Network Is Now The New AT&T ???

IF the deal goes through, please don't let them hammer us with years of advertising about their new name.

The Cingular name change adds are already bad enough

Old_Grouch
Don't just sit there silly DO something
Premium Member
join:2004-05-26
Greenwood, IN

Old_Grouch

Premium Member

Re: Dish Network Is Now The New AT&T ???

I figure they just want a way to stay on a NEXTEL Cup car after next year.

MarkyD
Premium Member
join:2002-08-20
Oklahoma City, OK

MarkyD

Premium Member

Dude, wow.

AT&T will be - even more so - the friggin death star.

S_engineer
Premium Member
join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL

S_engineer

Premium Member

Re: Dude, wow.

Would Luke then be Brian Roberts of Comcrap?

Who would Yoda be?
BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Wakefield, MA

BosstonesOwn

Member

Re: Dude, wow.

said by S_engineer:

Would Luke then be Brian Roberts of Comcrap?

Who would Yoda be?
His name is Ivan and is currently residing as head of Verizon.

At&t running a sat provider would mean certain doom for a lot of the things us dish subscribers have taken for granted. Bad enough dish is slow to react when they add new channels in hd , but add the megalithic At&t and I will be one of the first to dump them for directv.

K3SGM
- -... ...- -
Premium Member
join:2006-01-17
Columbia, PA

K3SGM to S_engineer

Premium Member

to S_engineer
said by S_engineer:

Would Luke then be Brian Roberts of Comcrap?

Who would Yoda be?
Luke's Father's name is Ralph Roberts, not Anakin Skywalker.

The role of Yoda is open, and they are doing auditions.

If you happen to be 3 feet tall, have a greenish complexion, and wield a mean Light Saber, Comcast is currently taking applications.

Jim Gurd
Premium Member
join:2000-07-08
Livonia, MI

Jim Gurd

Premium Member

Makes no sense

Why would they compete with themselves and their U-Verse product? It seems that satellite would cannibalize sales of this service.

Transmaster
Don't Blame Me I Voted For Bill and Opus
join:2001-06-20
Cheyenne, WY

Transmaster

Member

Re: Makes no sense

Please not this......
fldiver
Premium Member
join:1999-12-27
Jacksonville, FL

fldiver

Premium Member

Re: Makes no sense

If they would not let DTV and Echostar merge why on EARTH would the govt sanction this abysmal idea. I am so glad I stayed with Directv; I despise AT&T with every breath in my body..

K3SGM
- -... ...- -
Premium Member
join:2006-01-17
Columbia, PA

K3SGM

Premium Member

Re: Makes no sense

said by fldiver:

If they would not let DTV and Echostar merge why on EARTH would the govt sanction this abysmal idea. I am so glad I stayed with Directv; I despise AT&T with every breath in my body..
You can guess that even though there is no 'official' deal on the table, good ole' FCC Chairman Kevin Martin already has his finger on the YES button

Karl Bode
News Guy
join:2000-03-02

Karl Bode

News Guy

Re: Makes no sense

I would be almost positive it would get approval in this "environment". Lower TV Prices for sure this time!

MrMoody
Free range slave
Premium Member
join:2002-09-03
Smithfield, NC

MrMoody

Premium Member

Re: Makes no sense

said by Karl Bode:

Lower TV Prices for sure this time!
LOL

We promise!

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

en102 to Karl Bode

Member

to Karl Bode
and I've been seeing pigs fly lately.

The only way that you will ever see 'lower TV prices' is in a bulk per channel cost. (i.e. 1000 channels for $80) vs. 13 channels for #13, similar to Comcast Rick's cost method of HSI. I'd like to see a lower bottom like cost.

sporkme
drop the crantini and move it, sister
MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ

sporkme to Karl Bode

MVM

to Karl Bode
said by Karl Bode:

I would be almost positive it would get approval in this "environment". Lower TV Prices for sure this time!


Lower prices? Comeon, you have SO much higher quality programming than what used to be available. It's an *awesome* deal. :P
SunnyFL8
Premium Member
join:2001-02-08

SunnyFL8 to Karl Bode

Premium Member

to Karl Bode
said by Karl Bode:

I would be almost positive it would get approval in this "environment". Lower TV Prices for sure this time!
Yep, I think you got the situation pegged.

Lower prices $10.00 a month for 200 channels of AT&T TV and $60.00 for the FCC (Martin) Authorized Charge for NETWORK Access.

In other words $70.00 cable bill.

But the cable is only $10.00 a month wow that's a good deal till you get the bill.

Thanks MR. MARTIN wiping hands of GREEN $$$$ ink.

opps did I say that? It's funny because he doesn't hide is Bias with the telco's or deny his prejudice towards Big Cable Industry.

Like Mr. Bush he doesn't worry about public opinion he just does what the thinks is right or does what they tell him to do. hah

Hall
MVM
join:2000-04-28
Germantown, OH

Hall to fldiver

MVM

to fldiver
The gov't wouldn't allow the only (2) DBS providers to merge into one because there'd be only (1) option available to consumers. If AT&T buys Echostar or Dish, there will still be (2).
jjeffeory
jjeffeory
join:2002-12-04
Bloomington, IN

jjeffeory

Member

Re: Makes no sense

Duh...
Why does there have to be 2 DBS providers. They're TV content providers. There would still be 2 in most markets. This just stacks the cards against DirecTV and saves AT&T tons in so many different ways. Maybe DirecTV could be bought by Verizon then for a similiar benefit? Geesh...
SunnyFL8
Premium Member
join:2001-02-08

SunnyFL8 to Hall

Premium Member

to Hall
said by Hall:

The gov't wouldn't allow the only (2) DBS providers to merge into one because there'd be only (1) option available to consumers. If AT&T buys Echostar or Dish, there will still be (2).


Your right 2 options.. Hmm, Bad or worse.

You have a choice it's america. Bad Old beef or Dog Meat.

Very tasty offer since you put it that way. OOO I can't wait.

Link8
join:2001-12-16
Davis, CA

3 edits

Link8 to Hall

Member

to Hall
said by Hall:

The gov't wouldn't allow the only (2) DBS providers to merge into one because there'd be only (1) option available to consumers. If AT&T buys Echostar or Dish, there will still be (2).
Yep, AT&T Satellite, vs AT&T U-Verse, and soon enough I'm sure AT&T cable too!

Got a problem with that? Why not watch some TV on your AT&T wireless phone?!

AT&T should be kicked in the balls and forced to sell their wireless branch off so that they can only monopolize one industry.

WTF for do they need echostar?! Is this admission that their U-Verse plan is a failure?! LMAO!

I have Dish Network right now, and I'm waiting for the U-Verse service here to go active so I can (temporarily) try them out. It's a few bucks less and offers a bit more..

I don't know .. if AT&T bought echostar . oh man That'd suck.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
Netgear WNDR3700v2
Zoom 5341J

KrK to fldiver

Premium Member

to fldiver
said by fldiver:

If they would not let DTV and Echostar merge why on EARTH would the govt sanction this abysmal idea. I am so glad I stayed with Directv; I despise AT&T with every breath in my body..
Echostar and DTV merge = Bigger competition to Telco and Cable Company plans.... BLOCKED!

Echostar bought by AT&T = Consolidation of media by Telco, of Part of Company plans..... APPROVED!

The FCC lately has been all about Big Business agenda and allowing mergers *except* when it threatens the interests of the Telcos and Cable companies...
BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Wakefield, MA

1 recommendation

BosstonesOwn

Member

Re: Makes no sense

said by KrK:
said by fldiver:

If they would not let DTV and Echostar merge why on EARTH would the govt sanction this abysmal idea. I am so glad I stayed with Directv; I despise AT&T with every breath in my body..
Echostar and DTV merge = Bigger competition to Telco and Cable Company plans.... BLOCKED!

Echostar bought by AT&T = Consolidation of media by Telco, of Part of Company plans..... APPROVED!

The FCC lately has been all about Big Business agenda and allowing mergers *except* when it threatens the interests of the Telcos and Cable companies...
Also except when it benefits the consumer and rips control away from the large groups. IE XM/Sirius and NAB.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
Netgear WNDR3700v2
Zoom 5341J

1 recommendation

KrK

Premium Member

Re: Makes no sense

Point taken.

If a merger would actually create a bigger competitor to existing large companies, it's blocked.

If it's a buyout or merger by said existing large interests, it's approved.

IE if it promotes competition and consumer choice it's usually shot down.
BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Wakefield, MA

BosstonesOwn

Member

Re: Makes no sense

Exactly , I have no idea what these folks up on the hill are thinking. These types of mergers are just being approved in record times.

attsux0rs
@charter.com

attsux0rs to KrK

Anon

to KrK
said by KrK:

Echostar and DTV merge = Bigger competition to Telco and Cable Company plans.... BLOCKED!
directv/dish was rejected because it would've created a monopoly in the satellite television business; not to "protect" telcos and cable companies. a single satellite provider would've resulted in LESS (not more) competition and higher prices.

a dish/att merger would do the same; less competition, higher prices; and the end to distribution/resale deals dish currently has with telcos other than att. but since the government seems to allow att to do what it wants; don't be surprised to see this pushed through before the current administration ends.

in addition, an att buyout of a dish-owned sling media means the death of slingbox (in the odd chance that the slingbox survives the inevitable lawsuits upon dish ownership); except perhaps as a subscription service to att's own customers only, with rates and limits on what can be "slung" set by the broadcasters/networks.

Hall
MVM
join:2000-04-28
Germantown, OH

Hall to Jim Gurd

MVM

to Jim Gurd
U-Verse is probably turning out to not be as "easy" as they thought.

PhoenixDown
FIOS is Awesome
Premium Member
join:2003-06-08
Fresh Meadows, NY

PhoenixDown to Jim Gurd

Premium Member

to Jim Gurd
said by Jim Gurd:

Why would they compete with themselves and their U-Verse product? It seems that satellite would cannibalize sales of this service.
They would probably focus development and sales of uverse in urban areas and echostar sales in more sub-urban settings. It will be a decade or more before ATT brings their entire territory up to speed.

ropeguru
Premium Member
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA

ropeguru to Jim Gurd

Premium Member

to Jim Gurd
said by Jim Gurd:

Why would they compete with themselves and their U-Verse product? It seems that satellite would cannibalize sales of this service.
No, this would be a good move for them as then they would just sell some kind of crappy satellite type internet and satellite tv to the rural areas and not have to spend the bucks to deply U-Verse.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

KrK to Jim Gurd

Premium Member

to Jim Gurd
Dish Network = TV and HDTV coverage in rural America NOW

U-Verse and IPTV = Coverage in Rural America.... When.... 10 years... 20 years... Never?
GeekBigboy
join:2007-07-21
Moreno Valley, CA

GeekBigboy

Member

Re: Makes no sense

I had dsl and phone with ATT for years but because I moved into the desert ATT doesn't care about my DSL which made try dslextreme but either this will make smaller companies come out and work or the same old att which is usally well you don't service sorry we fix that in 10 20 years BS

darthhater
@bellsouth.net

darthhater

Anon

ha

You all remember in the 90's AOL was the evil empire of internet. I think at&t are trying to take their place. Is aol even still around?

CylonRed
MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County

CylonRed

MVM

Re: ha

said by darthhater :

Is aol even still around?
Yes...
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

Doubtful. To say the least.

Does ANYONE think AT&T is going to get bigger after swallowing Bell South?

Can't imagine that there's enough pepto-bismal in the world for the kind of bankruptcy this would be. Would make MCI look like a small business chapter 11 filling.

eco
Premium Member
join:2001-11-28
Wilmington, DE

eco

Premium Member

...

They better hurry up if they wanna get this done because if predictions prove correct and the Democrats take the White House, this deal sounds like one that may not make it through..

jasonfen
Premium Member
join:2001-01-07
Dallas, TX

jasonfen

Premium Member

Homezone is a crock

I just got done canceling it. Crashes, must use their 2Wire router that is junk, web access never works, etc.
radougherty
join:1999-07-23
Austin, TX

1 edit

radougherty

Member

Spend some $'s on your core business

I just wish the big brains would spend some of those billions to upgrade the switch for our area so we can get some of those new fancy featuers like call waiting/caller ID.

MoJeeper
The Stig in 2012
Premium Member
join:2000-10-20
Springfield, MO

MoJeeper

Premium Member

Re: Spend some $'s on your core business

We have all those fancy features plus the 26.4K dialup speed.

Leave my Dish alone I'm happy with it.

DeathStar Please UPDATE MY COPPER !!!

Greg_Z
Premium Member
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL

Greg_Z

Premium Member

Should of been "The death of Sling Media"

Well, those that bought the Sling Box better enjoy it while they have it. After the purchase, watch it disappear into a bygone era.
persus491
join:2000-10-06
Danbury, CT

persus491

Member

AT&T to Buy Verizon

AT%T wants to be the monopoly like it used to be in the early 80's, just Swallow Verizon to take back the lines once owned before.

pende_tim
Premium Member
join:2004-01-04
Selbyville, DE

pende_tim

Premium Member

Re: AT&T to Buy Verizon


Or the inverse of this idea,

Once AT&T gets their empire built, watch Verizon try to swallow them.

RoguePimp
join:2001-01-31
Phoenix, AZ

RoguePimp

Member

Nobody here seems to like this possibility.

Why? How is this a bad thing? AT&T gets what it wants, and Ergen gets what he wants. I doubt the customers will even notice the differecne except on the logo of their bill. Echostar will still provide Dish the content they have now. All this does is make it easier for AT&T to buy Dish. When the rumors started a long time ago, Dish prices was perfect for it but since then has risen. Now by splitting it off, AT&T can afford Dish and Ergen still keeps his company.

Customers will not even notice the change. Sure, AT&T will once again enlarge their empire but look at the money they will pull in by taking over Dish. If they want the content, they will pay Echostar for it. Both companies will make out here. Customers will notice a logo change on the bill.

I seriously fail to see how this can be bad!

•••

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

KrK

Premium Member

Noooooo!

Echostar is one of the companies I really like!

bassthumpa
Premium Member
join:2000-12-26
Austin, TX

bassthumpa

Premium Member

Just a wall street fishing trip...

Right now this is nothing more than some analyst taking a shot in the dark, hoping to make a name for himself by gambling that there is possibly a shred of truth to the rumor he's putting out there.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

KrK

Premium Member

Re: Just a wall street fishing trip...

Yeah, kinda a "My father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate said..." kinda deal

Fox McCloud
Crazy like a fox.
join:2006-07-23

Fox McCloud

Member

This irks me

It's truly disgusting how much the Federal government has let AT&T get away with murder (so to speak); this will only further enhance their power.

In my honest opinion, the only telecommunications company that is deserving (or would do well with owning) Echostar/Dish Network would be Embarq. Why? They already have a partnership (and discount deal+bill combination), a better bandwidth plan than AT&T (nationwide deployment of ADSL2+ 10/900k service after the beginning of next year...and they plan on having universal coverage in their territory by the end of 2009)....Plus Embarq could partner up with their parent (Sprint) when XOHM is released to further enhance their services (Embarq at home, XOHM on the go, and with Slingbox and Dishnetwork, you could easily have a wide variety of services....and even combine them).

I would oppose the buy-out/merger/whatever you want to call it of AT&T and Echostar in any way, shape or form....the very idea of it makes me sick.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK

KrK

Premium Member

Magic 8 Ball says....

"Signs point to Yes."

Link8
join:2001-12-16
Davis, CA

Link8

Member

Re: Magic 8 Ball says....

AT&T Dish service costs more than plain Dish service, their services aren't as good and it's much harder to get a good deal on the receivers.

Even when bundled, it costs about the same or more, plus you have AT&T/SBC's legendary billing system handling it all, damn that'd suck.
Sammer
join:2005-12-22
Canonsburg, PA

Sammer

Member

Cost of Echostar equals a whole lot of FTTH!

If the cost of choosing U-Verse over FTTH is buying Echostar that was one expensive mistake. Even at $55 a share that's more than what Verizon is spending on FIOS.