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FCC Approves AT&T's DirecTV Purchase

Posted by Soulskill on from the time-to-get-large dept.

An anonymous reader writes: The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has granted approval to AT&T to purchase DirecTV for $48.5 billion. AT&T will become the largest provider of cable or satellite TV in the U.S., with 26.4 million subscribers. "Adding TV customers gives AT&T more power to negotiate with big media companies over prices for those channels. The deal also combines a nationwide satellite TV service, the country's largest, with the No. 2 nationwide wireless network as time spent on mobile devices increases." The FCC did put conditions on the deal: AT&T must make fiber internet service available to 12.5 million people, offer cheaper internet plans to low-income customers, and not mess with the internet traffic of online video competitors.

3 of 100 comments (clear)

  1. Choice. Dead. by Tablizer · · Score: 5, Informative

    We were looking at going with DirectTV to get away from AT&T, because AT&T sucks rotting puss-filled maggot carcases on a good day.

    There goes that plan.

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    Table-ized A.I.
  2. We need a verification stage by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I read someone else's comment that said that companies should be required to complete the past-due, public-benefit conditions made for their previous mergers before merging again. I like that idea. Maybe if we repeat that enough then it will start to become a real criteria.

  3. History? by sycodon · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Can anyone cite any instance of one cable provider buying another and then seeing the rates go down and selection go up?

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    When Fascism comes to America, it will call itself Anti-Fascism, and tell you to give up your guns.