On Friday, rumors were once again spreading about AT&T’s possible acquisition of EchoStar Communications. Analysts are buzzing. Investors are raising the price of EchoStar’s stock (almost 7% on Friday).
This comes after EchoStar acquired Sling Media for $380 million. almost two weeks ago. And after announcing it wanted to split into two separate public companies.
Oppenheimer analyst Thomas Eagan said:
Unlike EchoStar’s Dish Network service, AT&T’s internet television service, U-Verse has failed to gain considerable traction with consumers. Eagan said the U-Verse rollout has been grossly over-budget and behind schedule.
“Given the lack of success of AT&T’s U-Verse rollout, it seems to us a matter of when, NOT if, AT&T acquires EchoStar,” said Eagan. According to Eagan, the telecommunications giant would be willing to shell out a hefty premium for the company. He predicts that AT&T will pay shareholders more than $56 a share.
Rumors about AT&T acquiring EchoStar have been around for years. But could it be time? The addition of Sling would be a great win for AT&T and would possibly accelerate Sling’s integration with AT&T’s U-Verse IPTV offering.
[From Rocky Mountain News]
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[...] BitGravity also announced it will serve as the CDN for Sling Media’s upcoming interactive services using the Slingbox. As you may recall, Sling Media was recently acquired by EchoStar, maker of the DISH Network. And as was reported earlier, rumors are growing that AT&T is looking to acquire EchoStar. [...]
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