Dish & Direct merger again???

[wolfjc]

I just saw this on TV.predictions.com

Swanni's 2008 Predictions: DIRECTV & EchoStar Will Merge
The high-def guru makes his sixth prediction.
By Allison Moore
HD Diva

Washington, D.C. (December 17, 2007) -- Here is the text summary of Swanni's seventh prediction for 2008:

DIRECTV and EchoStar will merge in 2007, creating an even bigger and bolder company with a more powerful High-Definition TV lineup. Unlike 2002, when an attempted satellite merger was nixed by federal regulators for anti-competitive reasons, the video field now is overflowing with competitors, from the telcos to online video to dedicated set-tops at retail that provide video. In addition, Swanni says, the FCC is likely to approve the proposed satellite radio merger between XM and Sirius. If the agency approves that merger, it will be hard pressed to reject a DIRECTV-Echo deal.

 

[aperry]

It would be interesting if that came to pass. I'd be surprised if it happened though.

 

[tigerfan33]

Very doubtful it will happen. Who would run the company?? Charlie or Carey?? Both egos way too big for this too happen.

 

[garys]

Government shot this down several years ago, why would they allow it now?

 

[Tyralak]

Government shot this down several years ago, why would they allow it now?

The OP explained why it could be allowed now. Re-read it.

 

[goober]

Government shot this down several years ago, why would they allow it now?

It wasn't shot down. It was "withdrawn"

 

[digiblur]

They better hurry, they only have a couple of weeks left!

 

[Peter Parker]

It wasn't shot down. It was "withdrawn"

The FCC ruled against it and then it was withdrawn before the DoJ could rule.

personally I still don't think it would be approved. the FCC indicated that thy saw the marketplace aas DBS alone and that the merger would have created a monopoly. There were already other TV providers out tehre. I am nots aying I agree with their definition just pointing out what it was.

As for the satellite radio merger the difference there sis that both XM and Sirius are losing money and neither forecssts immediate profits. both DBS providers are profitable.

 

[butzchan]

This will never happen. The satellite radio comparison makes absolutely no sense. The revenue difference between the two is huge.

 

[NightRyder]

I predict that by the end of 2008 there will be no D* - E* merger and Swanni will still be full of sh*t.

NightRyder

 

[Neutron]

I predict that by the end of 2008 there will be no D* - E* merger and Swanni will still be full of sh*t.

NightRyder

It wouldn't take that long....

 

[tigerfan33]

It wouldn't take that long....

For there not to be a merger or for Swanni to be full of sh*t.

 

[JohnL]

I predict that by the end of 2008 there will be no D* - E* merger and Swanni will still be full of sh*t.

NightRyder

NightRyder,


Swanni, is so full of himself and almost all of his normal "predictions" could be made by made by almost anybody that follows this industry with same success. With that said Swanni is totally out to lunch on this one.

In most cases, Swanni swoons and Whores himself out over DirecTV, could it be that owns a major amount of their stock.

The Guys' a self promoting bore.

John

 

[GeorgeLV]

I guess DirecTV would want the rest of the 110 and 119 slots, but the rest of E*'s assets would be space junk to them. The merger made sense in 2002, but because the companies had to expand in such different directions for HD, I think the transition costs today would be cost prohibitive.

 

[MikeD-C05]

CHARLIE would NEVER give up control of his company in a merger. Now if he was chosen the Ceo of the new merged company with controlling stock options , yes he would do this. But I don't see any government entity allowing this to happen. Monopoly would be screamed from satellite dish to satellite dish across the country.

 

[Peter Parker]

It wouldn't take that long....

Actually it will take that long to prove that no merger will be announced before the end of 2008. How could that happen sooner?

 

[KimmiKat]

Here's a secret, Scott is planning to merge the board with Dish! A new point system will go in affect and you can use the points to pay your Dish bill!

 

[harshness]

I think everyone should take a closer look at who initiated the merger (and who paid the big penalties for its failure) last time. It was more akin to a buyout than a meeting of the minds.

With the consolidation of the interests that Liberty Media will gain on the DIRECTV side, it would be even less attractive from a distribution monopoly standpoint.

 

[harshness]

Here's a secret, Scott is planning to merge the board with Dish!

I certainly hope that it doesn't become anything like the DIRECTV hosted forums.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Don't bet on it not happening. The way the FEDS have looked at mergers in the last ten years, anything can and will probably happen. Why don't the feds do something about all the advertisements taking up 1/4 of my screen during the programs plus the channel label is there too.