rwilli1
11-20-2009, 05:09 PM
Satellite : A DIRECTV Take-Over?
The ink is hardly dry on the new CEO's contract and the stock isn’t due to spin out until year end, but chatter about a DIRECTV merger/take-over is already rampant. Liberty Media’s Dr. John Malone (who is currently the guy with the biggest stake) has fueled the speculation, declining to rule out a possible AT&T or Verizon takeover in an interview with Bloomberg.
DIRECTV already offers pay TV packages in concert with both AT&T and Verizon and, said Malone, “Our relationship will continue to broaden and intensify. It may lead to some more ownership-oriented relationship, or it may not.”
In addition, incoming CEO Michael White is widely seen as a place holder, preparing the company for sale within the next few years. Add that to the planned merger between DIRECTV and Malone’s Liberty Entertainment (minus Starz) and the path to a potential takeover is greatly simplified.
The ink is hardly dry on the new CEO's contract and the stock isn’t due to spin out until year end, but chatter about a DIRECTV merger/take-over is already rampant. Liberty Media’s Dr. John Malone (who is currently the guy with the biggest stake) has fueled the speculation, declining to rule out a possible AT&T or Verizon takeover in an interview with Bloomberg.
DIRECTV already offers pay TV packages in concert with both AT&T and Verizon and, said Malone, “Our relationship will continue to broaden and intensify. It may lead to some more ownership-oriented relationship, or it may not.”
In addition, incoming CEO Michael White is widely seen as a place holder, preparing the company for sale within the next few years. Add that to the planned merger between DIRECTV and Malone’s Liberty Entertainment (minus Starz) and the path to a potential takeover is greatly simplified.