DISH Network, DirecTV Reportedly renew merger talks

DISH Network (DISH) and DirecTV are again in talks of merging their businesses, the New York Post reported on Tuesday, citing unnamed sources close to the situation.

The discussions are being pushed by private equity firm TPG Capital, which has acquired a 30% stake in DirecTV from AT&T (T) last February, according to the news outlet.

The two companies were in similar merger talks in 2020 but the US Department of Justice told AT&T that a merger would have to wait until 5G is more widely available in the rural markets amid concerns that the combined company could shoot up prices of satellite TV, the report said.

DirecTV, DISH Network and TPG declined to comment on the matter, according to the report. However, one source said the merger is “very complicated but it absolutely will happen.”

Shares of DISH Network rose 7% ahead of Wednesday’s market open. TradingView