Looks like It’s official Directv Buying Dish

[Bruce]

Again, cheaper packages are just not going to happen, first, it makes no sense to do so, brand new customers (under 35 years old) are not subscribing to paid Live TV.

Then there is already competition at that price range, if DirecTV wants to compete with YTTV, that means a price war, which TPG really could not afford and Google would destroy them.

Plus the fact they need cash, merger costs ( not purchase costs, which will result in $27 Billion debt) are going to be astronomical.

Everyone who keeps hoping/believing they will lower prices, are not being realistic about how businesses are run and you all are just thinking about your own wallets.

If they already have you at $120-150 a month, why would they want to start taking less from you, when they need more revenue.

This is likely to happen if the sale is approved, first Sling and Stream will be shut down, business/corporations loves consolidations in the name of savings, will just have DirecTV by Internet.

Then, they will basically create new packages for both companies combined, again for simplicity reasons, in the name of cost savings, but the pricing will be similar to DirecTVs, which means those with Dish will see higher bills.

Show me one merger where the business sells to the public, resulting in a better deal (pricing) for those subscribers/customers.

 

[CSM]

Again, cheaper packages are just not going to happen, first, it makes no sense to do so, brand new customers (under 35 years old) are not subscribing to paid Live TV.

Then there is already competition at that price range, if DirecTV wants to compete with YTTV, that means a price war, which TPG really could not afford and Google would destroy them.

Plus the fact they need cash, merger costs ( not purchase costs, which will result in $27 Billion debt) are going to be astronomical.

Everyone who keeps hoping/believing they will lower prices, are not being realistic about how businesses are run and you all are just thinking about your own wallets.

If they already have you at $120-150 a month, why would they want to start taking less from you, when they need more revenue.

This is likely to happen if the sale is approved, first Sling and Stream will be shut down, business/corporations loves consolidations in the name of savings, will just have DirecTV by Internet.

Then, they will basically create new packages for both companies combined, again for simplicity reasons, in the name of cost savings, but the pricing will be similar to DirecTVs, which means those with Dish will see higher bills.

Show me one merger where the business sells to the public, resulting in a better deal (pricing) for those subscribers/customers.

Do you think TPG will cancel that new Dish Network satellite order and just relegate satellite to the rural areas until the last satellite runs out of fuel? I don't see how DTV over the Net survives depending on what the normal price will be after the two-year price lock expires, and you wouldn't be able to have any loyalty discounts for long time subscribers who do switch to DTV via the Net, with other cheaper options out their? Which begs the question why merge in the first place? Do they think all of their satellite TV subscribers switch to DTV via the Net? AT&T thought that would happen when they bought DTV.

 

[Bruce]

Do you think TPG will cancel that new Dish Network satellite order and just relegate satellite to the rural areas until the last satellite runs out of fuel?

First off, rural areas are not just in one area of the United States, there are in every state, for example, I am what is considered a rural area by definition, but it is not what I call it, more semi-rural.

What does that mean, they would still need locals and one satellite is not enough for all those markets.

Second, Satellite in rural areas are just not that big of a deal with the expansion of broadband.

In the United States, there are 20 Million Households within rural areas, yet there are only 14 Million that receive Satellite TV ( the rest are Stream, by Internet, Uverse subscribers).

So if we assume 60% are in Metro areas, 40% in rural areas (which I believe is high), that is only 5.6 Million in rural areas that receive Sat TV, also shrinking as broadband expands.

That is not enough subscribers to support a merged business if it only catered to those in Rural areas.

In my area (bought in 2020), they did not have broadband until 2017, my neighbor across the street said everyone had a dish, now, you only see about two of them ( yes I counted a while ago).

I don't see how DTV over the Net survives depending on what the normal price will be after the two-year price lock expires, and you wouldn't be able to have any loyalty discounts for long time subscribers who do switch to DTV via the Net, with other cheaper options out their? Which begs the question why merge in the first place? Do they think all of their satellite TV subscribers switch to DTV via the Net? AT&T thought that would happen when they bought DTV.

Again, only 29.2% go to a streaming Live TV service after they leave Cable/Satellite, which means 70% goes to the streaming services, a combination of Hulu, Peacock and Paramount for one example.

Which helps explain why those services are still gaining subscribers here in the states.

Paid Live TV is slowly dying, so no, I do not understand this merger.

Unless they plan on making as much as possible while still viable, then having the new company declare Chapter 7 and stiff all those holding the debt (bondholders for one example).

once again-

Just 29.2% of New Cord Cutters Subscribe to a Live TV Service Like Fubo & YouTube TV | Cord Cutters News

One of the questions cable TV executives often ask is how many cord cutters can they get to subscribe to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu, or Fubo. Now, thanks to a report from MoffettNathanson, we have an idea of how many subscriber who cancel cable TV switch to a live TV […]

cordcuttersnews.com

 

[harshness]

They claimed it was a priority when AT&T bought DIRECTV. They just failed to accomplish it.

Claiming you want to do something is sometimes a far cry from actually doing it. It is also what you do when your competitor has beat you to the punch.

They did indeed fail in so many ways under AT&T's watchful eye.

 

[harshness]

Second, Satellite in rural areas are just not that big of a deal with the expansion of broadband.

Don't tell Canada that.

 

[CSM]

First off, rural areas are not just in one area of the United States, there are in every state, for example, I am what is considered a rural area by definition, but it is not what I call it, more semi-rural.

What does that mean, they would still need locals and one satellite is not enough for all those markets.

Second, Satellite in rural areas are just not that big of a deal with the expansion of broadband.

In the United States, there are 20 Million Households within rural areas, yet there are only 14 Million that receive Satellite TV ( the rest are Stream, by Internet, Uverse subscribers).

So if we assume 60% are in Metro areas, 40% in rural areas (which I believe is high), that is only 5.6 Million in rural areas that receive Sat TV, also shrinking as broadband expands.

That is not enough subscribers to support a merged business if it only catered to those in Rural areas.

In my area (bought in 2020), they did not have broadband until 2017, my neighbor across the street said everyone had a dish, now, you only see about two of them ( yes I counted a while ago).

Again, only 29.2% go to a streaming Live TV service after they leave Cable/Satellite, which means 70% goes to the streaming services, a combination of Hulu, Peacock and Paramount for one example.

Which helps explain why those services are still gaining subscribers here in the states.

Paid Live TV is slowly dying, so no, I do not understand this merger.

Unless they plan on making as much as possible while still viable, then having the new company declare Chapter 7 and stiff all those holding the debt (bondholders for one example).

once again-

Just 29.2% of New Cord Cutters Subscribe to a Live TV Service Like Fubo & YouTube TV | Cord Cutters News

One of the questions cable TV executives often ask is how many cord cutters can they get to subscribe to a live TV streaming service like YouTube TV, Hulu, or Fubo. Now, thanks to a report from MoffettNathanson, we have an idea of how many subscriber who cancel cable TV switch to a live TV […]

cordcuttersnews.com

I forgot did AT&T say that it is expensive to wire rural areas and therefore not profitable?

 

[Bruce]

I forgot did AT&T say that it is expensive to wire rural areas and therefore not profitable?

But they are being wired, thanks to the Government.

My area would never would of been, not enough houses to be profitable , but money from the state and Federal Government was able to convince Charter to wire my neighborhood.

Also, Fiber, after a delay, is being put into the ground, supposed to be finished months ago, to where I had an install scheduled, but that was put off until next month now.

 

[harshness]

But they are being wired, thanks to the Government.

Which government is that?

Many of the current expansions are coming at the hands of other utilities that are taking advantage of their existing right-of-ways.

 

[navychop]

Just like the government- day late and dollar short.

StarLink and similar have pretty much put paid to the concept of running cables for Internet.

 

[nelson61]

Day late ?

As the years go by and the CABLED fiber optic network extends to essentially all the population, starlink will become a niche player in the US market.

 

[navychop]

Dream on. Who will pay to build out landlines to outer nowhere?

Incoming administration is not likely to continue the largess.

 

[CSM]

If they won't offer cheaper packages, I wonder what the DTV via the Net regular price would be after the two-year price lock ends? Would it be the same price as regular DTV over Satellite? For example, the Choice package is now $129.99 plus the extra fees. Who would want to stick with DTV via Net if it's those prices? How could DTV via Net survive?

 

[Bruce]

If they won't offer cheaper packages, I wonder what the DTV via the Net regular price would be after the two-year price lock ends? Would it be the same price as regular DTV over Satellite? For example, the Choice package is now $129.99 plus the extra fees. Who would want to stick with DTV via Net if it's those prices? How could DTV via Net survive?

You keep posting the same comments over and over, basically DirecTV will lower prices once the merger is complete.

It will not happen and quite likely, the prices will go up, the elimination of less expensive services and packages will happen also.

Name one time a merger has resulted in lower prices for the consumer.

It does not happen, because a merger/purchase results in more expenses for the company, basically they have extra/new acquisition and merger costs to pay for.

Again, if they already have you on the hook for $120-150 a month, why would they want to take in less?

TPG already has given $2 Billion to Dish, how do they pay for that for one example.

 

[CSM]

You keep posting the same comments over and over, basically DirecTV will lower prices once the merger is complete.

It will not happen and quite likely, the prices will go up, the elimination of less expensive services and packages will happen also.

Name one time a merger has resulted in lower prices for the consumer.

It does not happen, because a merger/purchase results in more expenses for the company, basically they have extra/new acquisition and merger costs to pay for.

Again, if they already have you on the hook for $120-150 a month, why would they want to take in less?

TPG already has given $2 Billion to Dish, how do they pay for that for one example.

Sorry, I thought I was doing a different type of post about figuring out the regular price of DTV via Net.

 

[b4pjoe]

Sorry, I thought I was doing a different type of post about figuring out the regular price of DTV via Net.

The current new customer pricing for both Satellite and DIRECTV via Internet for 2 years for the CHOICE package $122.98 which most likely means the new price after 2 years will be the same price for each service. Both say the price after 2 years will be at the prevailing rate at that time. The current cost of the Choice package on satellite is $129.99 (more if you are a customer on one of the "all Included" plans they had for awhile). However loyalty discounts on satellite are still a thing where I don't think they are on via Internet streaming.

 

[MikeD-C05]

So tomorrow is the deadline for Charlie to get his stock holders to take the deal. I guess we will see something about this tomorrow, one way or the other. I predict they won't get it through. But I was wrong about the election prediction, so who knows?

 

[CSM]

The current new customer pricing for both Satellite and DIRECTV via Internet for 2 years for the CHOICE package $122.98 which most likely means the new price after 2 years will be the same price for each service. Both say the price after 2 years will be at the prevailing rate at that time. The current cost of the Choice package on satellite is $129.99 (more if you are a customer on one of the "all Included" plans they had for awhile). However loyalty discounts on satellite are still a thing where I don't think they are on via Internet streaming.

Strange on the main page they have this for the choice plan.

$89.99/mo.
$79.99/mo
for 24 months + taxes & fees
($104.98/mo. w/ req’d $15/mo. ARS fee & Regional Sports Fee of $9.99/mo.) w/24-mo. agmt. Price reflects $10 off for 24 mos.

 

[harshness]

Incoming administration is not likely to continue the largess.

Both broadband expansion and net neutrality seem likely to become distant memories under the upcoming administration.

 

[Bruce]

Strange on the main page they have this for the choice plan.

$89.99/mo.
$79.99/mo
for 24 months + taxes & fees
($104.98/mo. w/ req’d $15/mo. ARS fee & Regional Sports Fee of $9.99/mo.) w/24-mo. agmt. Price reflects $10 off for 24 mos.

Depends on how many boxes you need, with 3, $124.98 a month.

 

[CSM]

If you subtract the AFR and RSF fees, the RSF fee is $10 in our area. It ends up being $98 for the Choice plan if you click on the see details. On the main page it's $89. On the main page they show only a $10 RSF.

Pricing: ENTERTAINMENT $89.99/mo., CHOICE $122.98/mo., ULTIMATE $152.98/mo., PREMIER $197.98/mo. for 2 years. After 2 years, continues month to month at then-current prevailing prices unless canceled. Prices reflect base package prices plus the req’d. $15/mo. Advanced Receiver Service Fee and Regional Sports Fee (RSF) of up to $17.99/mo. RSF applies to CHOICE Pkg or higher and varies based on location. May be lower in some areas. fee and not up to a $17.99 RSN fee.