[klwillis]

Rupert Murdoch,

Is starting to indicate his interest in DTV is waning.
This may do to the fact that DTV customer base is not growing as fast as it once was. At one time DTV was the fastest growing TV service in the United States.
I think it has gotten to critical mass and the only way Rupert sees in growing the bottom line it to sell more services existing base.
Voluntary churn rate is up according to DTV last earnings call.
I think we at DBSTalk can guess way churn is up.
Also since the dems have taken back the House and the Senate a merger of the two largest Satellite Companies does not look likely which is another reason why Rupert is not liking DTV as much as he once did.
But there is a move that does make sense here for good old Rupert.
Thats to sell to yes I said it Microsoft.
This would make since in more than one way MS could invade the one room they have been trying to get into for the last 10 years.
And thats the Living room. The (Set Top Box) STB would the ideal platform for MS to push all its media services.
And it would solve DTV current problem of not really having experience in developing and deploying software to a mass market.
Of course these are rumors and suggestions from the investment community and I do agree it would be a smart move for DTV and Rupert.

Well thats my 2cents

Keith

 

[cybrsurfer]

Rupert Murdoch,

Is starting to indicate his interest in DTV is waning.
This may do to the fact that DTV customer base is not growing as fast as it once was. At one time DTV was the fastest growing TV service in the United States.
I think it has gotten to critical mass and the only way Rupert sees in growing the bottom line it to sell more services existing base.
Voluntary churn rate is up according to DTV last earnings call.
I think we at DBSTalk can guess way churn is up.
Also since the dems have taken back the House and the Senate a merger of the two largest Satellite Companies does not look likely which is another reason why Rupert is not liking DTV as much as he once did.
But there is a move that does make sense here for good old Rupert.
Thats to sell to yes I said it Microsoft.
This would make since in more than one way MS could invade the one room they have been trying to get into for the last 10 years.
And thats the Living room. The (Set Top Box) STB would the ideal platform for MS to push all its media services.
And it would solve DTV current problem of not really having experience in developing and deploying software to a mass market.
Of course these are rumors and suggestions from the investment community and I do agree it would be a smart move for DTV and Rupert.

Well thats my 2cents

Keith

Where have you read Microsoft has a potential interest in DirecTV? Right now there is a poison pill on the stock, so Microsoft couldn't possibly take over DirecTV. Liberty is in process of taking Murdoch's interest in DirecTV by exchanging shares. Perhaps DirecTV will be interested in hiring Microsoft for services, but I doubt the company would be on the block to them. Personally I would have no issue with Microsoft buying DirecTV, but the board and shareholders would have to allow it to happen. Microsoft purchased WebTV and has never made money on that platform (they regret it), also Ultimate TV was a money loser for them also. MSN internet is also been a can of worms for them. So it's clear the past three ventures or buyouts have been bad for Microsoft. Microsoft is not going to make the same mistakes a fourth time around.

As far as the Government and politics you believe are playing part in Murdoch's exit strategy I feel is wrong. There was no way for Murdoch to know that the Democrats would win back seats and level the playing field. This happened after Murdoch announced plans to swap his interest in DirecTV with Liberty/Malone. The FCC blocked the original merger, which had nothing to do with a party of Democrats or Republicans, they don't have any say. It's possible a merger would in fact be possible now that FiOS TV is taking off, and is much cheaper then satellite and cable with the bundles, it's even faster then cable. More competiton even in rural areas, because Fiber is available even in rural areas. Fiber doesn't have to be within a certain distance of any switching stations either for internet services which blow away cable.