Is News Corp still lurking and ready to buy Direct TV?

[John Corn]

On the possibility of News Corp. acquiring DirecTV, the biggest U.S. satellite-television provider:``The U.S. government review on whether EchoStar (Communications Corp.) will buy DirecTV has been delayed yet again. It's not a foregone conclusion that EchoStar will buy DirecTV. ``If that can't be worked out, then News Corp. comes to the fore.''

Click here to read the Bloomberg article (http://quote.bloomberg.com/fgcgi.cgi?T=marketsquote99_news.ht&s=APMNmlRZ9U2hhdydz)

GM wants the cash and DTV is a continuous money loser, partly due to incredible churn rate and partly due to poor security. Who else but Rupert has any stomach for this?

[Edward E Suleski]

So Which company is going to buy Directv?

[jrjcd]

...depends on who's got the legs:D :hi: :lol:

[Ray H]

Originally posted by Charlie Eargan
GM wants the cash and DTV is a continuous money loser, partly due to incredible churn rate and partly due to poor security. Who else but Rupert has any stomach for this?

You're right that G.M. wants the cash. But, keep in mind that there are perfectly legal ways to present a best case financial scenario (makes the stockholders happy) or a worst case financial scenario (positively impacts the tax situation). While the Hughes/DirecTV unit consistently "loses" money on paper, the fact is, it does generate considerable revenue. A good portion of this paper "loss" can be accounted for by the constant equipment and programming rebates and promos. As for the churn rate assertion, there is still a net gain in subscribership nearly every quarter. Lest anyone forget, Dish Network's vaunted security has also been effectively hacked. There is one big reason more attention is lavished on hacking DirecTV(tm), though: programming - particularly NFL Sunday Ticket.

[Sherlock]

NWS financial position has changed significantly since they were in the running. If the deal with DISH doesn't go through, I would expect GM to hold off until they can get a better deal for GMH.

[Chris Freeland]

I am starting to gain confidence that this merger just may get government approval. With E* and D* promising to carry locals in all 210 DMA’s, with DBS spectrum sharing around the corner to provide additional competition and with a powerful Congressman and others now in their corner, it seams to me that things are looking up for the merger to happen.