[tampa8]

As with many situations it is a mistake to take the easy predictable outcome of the NYT report that the Dept of Justice will not approve the merger. It is all about what is really wanted at the end of it all. With that in mind, the Government is NOT against the merger - they could be against their perceived or real feelings of what the merger might mean however. That is a monopoly or less competition. I predict the merger will be approved but with the new combined company actually helping to pave the way for competing DBS companies. It could be by giving up a satellite spot, or one of many other agreements. And in the end the Government will say they have actually fostered competition both within the DBS industry and between the DBS industry and Cable.

 

[JohnL]

Originally posted by tampa8
As with many situations it is a mistake to take the easy predictable outcome of the NYT report that the Dept of Justice will not approve the merger. It is all about what is really wanted at the end of it all. With that in mind, the Government is NOT against the merger - they could be against their perceived or real feelings of what the merger might mean however. That is a monopoly or less competition. I predict the merger will be approved but with the new combined company actually helping to pave the way for competing DBS companies. It could be by giving up a satellite spot, or one of many other agreements. And in the end the Government will say they have actually fostered competition both within the DBS industry and between the DBS industry and Cable.

Isn't the New York Times the Paper that had the "Inside Track" on the proposed Rupert Murdock buyout of DirecTV 13 months ago, reporting Rival Dish Network's bid was rejected by General Motors, and that Rupert Murdock's bid was in my words a "slam Dunk".

I'm not going to believe anything until I here the DOJ's report.

John

 

[Chris Freeland]

Originally posted by tampa8
As with many situations it is a mistake to take the easy predictable outcome of the NYT report that the Dept of Justice will not approve the merger. It is all about what is really wanted at the end of it all. With that in mind, the Government is NOT against the merger - they could be against their perceived or real feelings of what the merger might mean however. That is a monopoly or less competition. I predict the merger will be approved but with the new combined company actually helping to pave the way for competing DBS companies. It could be by giving up a satellite spot, or one of many other agreements. And in the end the Government will say they have actually fostered competition both within the DBS industry and between the DBS industry and Cable.

I agree, as I responded in other threads on this subject, I would not be surprised if a deal is made for ED* to give up one or both side slots in order to gain all three Conus slots. ED* can still accomplish what they want to accomplish without the side slots and at the same time provide additional DBS competition and remove the only objection to this merger. I do believe however if ED* has to give up one Conus slot, that would be a deal killer.

 

[AllieVi]

It's really too early to call the merger prospects dead. The Times article noted that the staff apparently intends to recommend against it, but others make the decision, not the staff. It's an important milestone, of course, but the deal is not yet killed (much as I'd like it to be...).