Murdoch Fuels DirecTV-Dish Rumor

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MURDOCH FUELS DIRECTV-DISH RUMOR
[SOURCE: Multichannel News, AUTHOR: Linda Moss]
Rupert Murdoch, whose company owns 38% of DirecTV, helped to add fuel to the rumors of a DirecTV-EchoStar merger when he was asked about a possible deal Thursday during an appearance on PBS’ The Charlie Rose Show. EchoStar tried to buy DirecTV several years ago, but in 2002, the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice effectively put the kibosh on that deal. Shortly thereafter, News Corp. acquired its stake in DirecTV. But Murdoch said he thinks the regulatory environment for such a merger has changed since 2002. “I think today it is different -- the broadband coming, the revolution, there are many more alternatives, ways of getting pictures and information, that I think it would be much harder for the government to turn it down today,” Murdoch said. “But as I say, we'd have to get through a negotiation with [EchoStar Chairmain] Charlie [Ergen]. Then there would be the question of who would run it.” Murdoch also reiterated comments he’s made previously -- that DirecTV is negotiating with potential partners about delivering a wireless-broadband product. “The technology doesn't seem to be a problem -- it’s getting the frequencies,” he said.
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