It's official.....AT&T is BUYING DirecTV!

[PelicanGuy 117]

Well shoot, I already have AT&T's Uverse Internet and phone services bundled with DirecTV...this just makes it more official.

[Thundershock MN 169]

Well, what's going to happen to DirecTV's rival Dish, will they merge too?

Charlie has already stated he is planning on standing pat on the sidelines. He feels his various acquisitions over the past several years puts his company in a strong position going forward. And, he still plans to launch his "low cost" OTT service this summer further broadening his companies reach beyond just satellites.

 

 

It's likely that other telcos that bundle TV with internet and phone will likely switch to Dish; Sprint's local division used to do that; it was then spun off as Embarq, then merged with CenturyTel to become CenturyLink, and recently acquired Qwest (a former Baby Bell); somewhere in all that they switched from Dish to Direct, so they'll probably switch back.

Verizon will most likely switch - we have Fios in this area but the Verizon website offers DirecTV as a bundle deal. I imagine they'll switch to E*.

Verizon will likely focus on cross selling the "SpectrumCo" cable companies (Comcast, TWC, BHN) products as part of a triple/quadruple play. They already do as much as part of the agreement for SpectrumCo to sell their spectrum to Verizon. And, they have a similar agreement with Cox as a result of Cox selling their spectrum to Verizon as well. So, they could easily dump their marketing agreement with DirecTV and focus solely on cross selling the four Cable cos. Plus, they have Intel's old "On Cue" OTT service they could develop and rollout nationwide.

 

CenturyLink will likely switch back to cross selling E*, though.

 

However, in some of the areas in which Verizon has local telephone and Internet services, Dish does not carry the big regional sports networks. The New York market is the most notable.

 

I also wonder what that means for NFL Sunday Ticket. Verizon has a tight partnership with the NFL, and now an AT&T subsidiary will exclusively carry Sunday Ticket, even though the contract is about to expire in a year or two. Does this mean we'll see YouTube and Netflix get in the running for NFLST?

Now I hear this deal is hinging on DirecTV renewing NFL Sunday Ticket. (Don't see why they wouldn't though).

The deal doesn't hinge on it but, AT&T does have an opt-out if it is not renewed. I suspect and, it's already being reported as such, that a DirecTV & the NFL have likely agreed to terms on a new deal. AT&T has likely been briefed on the terms and likely wouldn't have agreed to the deal in the first place if they didn't think DirecTV would renew NFLST. Hence, the opt-out just in case it doesn't come to fruition.

[Mrknowitall526 108]

 

 

Verizon will likely focus on cross selling the "SpectrumCo" cable companies (Comcast, TWC, BHN) products as part of a triple/quadruple play. They already do as much as part of the agreement for SpectrumCo to sell their spectrum to Verizon. And, they have a similar agreement with Cox as a result of Cox selling their spectrum to Verizon as well. So, they could easily dump their marketing agreement with DirecTV and focus solely on cross selling the four Cable cos. Plus, they have Intel's old "On Cue" OTT service they could develop and rollout nationwide.

 

 

This doesn't help the people without access to cable, though, like in rural markets. Verizon has an agreement with the state of PA to provide DSL to all homes by 12/31/2015. Offering them a bundle with a cable service that doesn't even operate in the state is useless.

[Thundershock MN 169]

 

This doesn't help the people without access to cable, though, like in rural markets. Verizon has an agreement with the state of PA to provide DSL to all homes by 12/31/2015. Offering them a bundle with a cable service that doesn't even operate in the state is useless.

 

As stated that's what their acquisition of Intel Media and their OnCue Service could be used for. An OTT service can be deployed nationwide...provided you have access to high speed internet. And, (in most cases) Verizon can help you with that too if they become a WISP and sell 4g LTE broadband.

[TVIntheDesert 183]

 

 

 

The deal doesn't hinge on it but, AT&T does have an opt-out if it is not renewed. I suspect and, it's already being reported as such, that a DirecTV & the NFL have likely agreed to terms on a new deal. AT&T has likely been briefed on the terms and likely wouldn't have agreed to the deal in the first place if they didn't think DirecTV would renew NFLST. Hence, the opt-out just in case it doesn't come to fruition.

 

Now, does the NFL want to risk losing Verizon as their "official telecommunications provider" status by signing an exclusive deal with AT&T/DirecTV regarding NFLST? I think a deal will be made, but it might be contingent on allowing Verizon to carry the package in areas with FIOS TV.

[Thundershock MN 169]

Now, does the NFL want to risk losing Verizon as their "official telecommunications provider" status by signing an exclusive deal with AT&T/DirecTV regarding NFLST? I think a deal will be made, but it might be contingent on allowing Verizon to carry the package in areas with FIOS TV.

Not to start an argument as this isn't directed solely at you. Plenty in the media have also raised this point. But, I think this whole NFL/Verizon/AT&T thing is much adu about nothing.

 

First, the NFL has been down this road before. In 2008 Sprint was the official telecommunications provider to the NFL and gained mobile rights to NFLN games, etc. And, the leauge carved out broadband rights to NFLN games,etc. giving them to Verizon at the same time. So, the NFL has no problem shacking up with another company even if they have an "official" partner within the same industry.

 

Second, nothing would change from what it is now. Verizon would have their mobile phone rights to in-market games and be the "official" provider. And, AT&T via DirecTV would have their out-of-market rights. DirecTV already makes NFLST available OTT without a TV subscription...although they keep it low key. So, you can already access NFLST OTT on a mobile device if you really want to...Verizon or no Verizon.

 

Also, it's important to both parties the NFL & DirecTV (or, whomever) that the deal is exclusive. It loses value to DirecTV if it's made available to other parties. And, the league gets top dollar by making it exclusive.

 

Lastly, the NFL doesn't care if they clomp on one of their partners as long as the cash coming it makes it worthwhile to do so. Heck, Verizon's carve out of mobile phones from the overall digital rights hoses their media partners. Don't you think ESPN would love to make MNF available via mobile phone on WatchESPN? If you want to do business with The Shield you do so under King Roger's terms. If that means you get underminded because someone shows up with another suitcase full of cash...oh well...go get a suitcase bigger than theirs. Therefore, I'd beyond shocked if the league doesn't renew their exclusive NFLST deal with DirecTV. Verizon may not like it but, they will have to deal with it.