DIRECTTV to acquire EchoStar’s video distribution business

DIRECTV and EchoStar announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which DIRECTV will acquire EchoStar’s video distribution business DISH DBS, including DISH TV and Sling TV, through a debt exchange transaction. The combination of DIRECTV and DISH will benefit U.S. video consumers by creating a more robust competitive force in a video industry dominated by streaming services owned by large tech companies and programmers. The transaction will provide consumers with compelling video options while separately improving EchoStar’s financial profile as it continues to enhance and further deploy its nationwide 5G Open RAN wireless network.