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NEW YORK -- EchoStar's $18.3 billion deal to merge with DirecTV's parent, Hughes Electronics, is running into turbulence as it enters the home stretch.
The most significant new signal: Justice Department ( news - web sites) staff reviewing antitrust questions -- and expected to recommend this month whether the deal should be challenged -- have been busy deposing satellite retailers, programmers and others opposed to the creation of a satellite monopoly.
''The staff is preparing to litigate'' to block the merger, says Legg Mason's Blair Levin, a critic of the deal. While ''it's often true that they prepare to litigate and then say 'yes,' generally speaking, it's not a good sign.''
Rest Of The Story
The most significant new signal: Justice Department ( news - web sites) staff reviewing antitrust questions -- and expected to recommend this month whether the deal should be challenged -- have been busy deposing satellite retailers, programmers and others opposed to the creation of a satellite monopoly.
''The staff is preparing to litigate'' to block the merger, says Legg Mason's Blair Levin, a critic of the deal. While ''it's often true that they prepare to litigate and then say 'yes,' generally speaking, it's not a good sign.''
Rest Of The Story