Latest DirecTV sale rumors point to Verizon
By Richard Lawler 
posted Sep 28th 2009 3:08PM
posted Sep 28th 2009 3:08PM
The constant dance card shuffling with DirecTV's ownership and AT&T's satellite dealings fueled rumors of a sale earlier this year, now rekindled with Verizon and its FiOS TV unit listed as a potential partner. The idea, as described by the Wall Street Journal, is that Verizon's desire to expand its video business would manifest by buying a satellite company (DirecTV over DISH based on its performance and current restructuring by Liberty Media) and overnight going from number 8 to number 2 among cable and satellite operators. Whether the two telephone companies will actually battle it out over satellite remains to be seen, we're just wondering if this could give U-Verse or FiOS subs a crack at NFL Sunday Ticket.[Via Barrons]
Great for them, way to keep creating localized monopolies...
Verizon's business plan sucks for fios anyhow. You can get it a mile from my house, but not at mine. They've even told me at the VZ store down the street from me that demand has been huge (people seeing their new neighbors install etc) but they just have no plans for expansion right now. DUMB AS S#(@!
Please no...
of course it always comes down to football if it's posted on engadget hd.
such a waste of humanity's resources.
Does this mean Directv would go away and be replaced by FiosTV or UVerseTV if either one of these companies bought them?
If Directv becomes a Verizon brand I will cancel my service with them without a second thought. Verizon is a horrible company.
I thought the same thing. That's actually the position I'd take if any of the telecom giants were to buy it. I've been a customer now for more than 10 years, and I'd jump to Dish or Charter in a minute.
Ceton's CableCard solution being on the horizon would only make the decision easier.
Same here. All I need is an excuse to drop DirecTV and just switch to an HTPC, TiVoHD or both. I could have them paid for in less than a year and still have money left over for Xbox Live Video Market Place or Amazon on demand downloads.
cable has better picture quality than satellite
If Verizon improves DirecTV's customer service and product offerings, then this is a VERY good thing for DTV. Maybe they'll even win back some of the customers they've lost recently (such as me).
I would hate to see DirecTV go through yet another change of ownership. Mr. Murdoch nearly killed the company and the new owners have done a masterful job of fixing the damage. They need to be left alone to build out their 6 HD satellite system.
People keep talking about a synergy between satellite and telcos, but I just don't see it. Companies that EXIST because they have all the wire don't mesh well with a company that EXISTS to avoid wires. It's like a coal mine buying a solar installer.
Except for the Murdoch period, DirecTV has been #1 or 2 in quality for over 15 years. I'd hate to see one of the telcos gobble it up just to fill a supposed marketing hole. Nothing good would come of that.
It would actually be kind of cool to have the Verizon Interactive Guide and Hardware and the Directv content. It's a good move for Verizon if they are serious in trying to compete with Comcast.
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Hard numbers why it probably won't happen
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2009/09/29/why-verizon-wont-buy-directv.aspx