Satellite Rivals DirecTV, Dish To Merge

Decades in the making, satellite-TV rivals DirecTV and Dish are combining after a pair of transactions were announced Monday morning.

Telecommunications giant AT&T (T) has agreed to sell its remaining 70% stake in DirecTV to private-equity firm TPG (TPG) for roughly $7.6 billion spread over the next several years, the companies said.

AT&T said it expects the transaction to close in the second half of 2025, and will receive payments through 2029 from TPG, which bought a 30% stake in DirecTV in 2021.

Subsequently, EchoStar (SATS) announced that it agreed to sell its video distribution operations, including Dish and streaming service Sling TV, to DirecTV, which will assume about $9.75 billion in debt.

AT&T Sells DirecTV To Focus on 5G, Internet Efforts

AT&T said it has “achieved financial outcomes consistent with its expectations,” generating $19 billion in the three years since its initial deal with TPG. Now, however, AT&T said it wants to “focus on being the leading wireless 5G and fiber connectivity company in America,” and said the deal would strengthen its balance sheet.

AT&T said it expects to receive $1.7 billion in distributions over the second half of 2024, plus $5.4 billion in 2025, and about $500 million in 2029, according to a regulatory filing.

EchoStar Then Sells Dish and Sling TV To DirecTV

Separately Monday, EchoStar (SATS) announced an agreement to sell its video distribution operations to DirecTV as part of a series of transactions to alleviate billions in debt.

AT&T and EchoStar shares rose roughly 1% in premarket trading.