DirecTV

DIRECTV, LLC
FormerlyThe DirecTV Group, Inc. (2004–2015)
Company typeJoint venture
IndustryMultichannel video programming distributor
PredecessorHughes Electronics
FoundedJune 17, 1994 (1994-06-17) (as DirecTV)
Headquarters,
United States
Areas served
United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe
ProductsMultichannel linear pay television
Owners
Subsidiaries
Websitewww.directv.com
Footnotes / references
[1]

DirecTV, LLC is an American multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo, California. Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital satellite service serving the United States. It also provides traditional linear television service delivered by IP through its U-verse TV brand and a virtual multichannel video programming distributor service through its DirecTV Stream brand.[2] Its primary competitors are Dish Network, traditional cable television providers, IP-based television services, and other over-the-top video services.

On July 24, 2015, after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice, AT&T acquired DirecTV in a transaction valued at $67.1 billion.[3][4]

As of the end of Q1 2021, AT&T had 15.9 million pay-TV customers, including DirecTV, U-Verse, and DirecTV Stream subscribers.[5] On February 25, 2021, AT&T announced that it would spin-off DirecTV, U-Verse TV, and DirecTV Stream into a separate entity, selling a 30% stake to TPG Inc., while retaining a 70% stake in the new standalone company. The deal closed on August 2, 2021.[6][7]

On September 30, 2024, AT&T announced that they would sell their remaining 70% stake to TPG Inc. for $7.6 billion. Once the transaction is completed, TPG Inc. will have 100% ownership of DirecTV, splitting the company off from AT&T for the first time since 2015. AT&T and TPG Inc. expect the sale to close in the second half of 2025.[8] On the same day, DirecTV also announced that it would acquire rival Dish Network from EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that includes a payment of $1 and the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. DirecTV stated its intent to support the Dish brand for the foreseeable future, and the company does not currently have plans to make changes to existing Dish operations.[9] EchoStar and DirecTV expect the deal to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, contingent on regulatory approval and bondholders writing off nearly $1.6 billion in Dish-related debt.[10]

  1. ^ "About Us: Company Profile". DirecTV. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
  2. ^ "AT&T & TPG Close DirecTV Transaction". August 2, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  3. ^ "AT&T Completes Acquisition of DirecTV". AT&T, Inc. July 24, 2015. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  4. ^ Stelter, Brian (May 19, 2014). "AT&T and DirecTV strike $49 billion deal". CNN. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  5. ^ Gurwin, Jason (April 22, 2021). "DirecTV, AT&T TV, and AT&T U-Verse Lost 620K Subscribers in Q1 2021". thestreamable.com.
  6. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (February 25, 2021). "WarnerMedia Parent AT&T Sells DirecTV Stake To Private Equity Firm TPG". Deadline.
  7. ^ Hayes, Dade (August 2, 2021). "AT&T Completes DirecTV Spinoff; Satellite Operator Unites Its Internet-Delivered Bundles Under New Brand DirecTV Stream". Deadline Hollywood.
  8. ^ "AT&T sells stake in DirecTV for $7.6 billion as it exits entertainment biz, as DirecTV buys Dish - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  9. ^ Reilly, Jordan Valinsky, Ramishah Maruf, Liam (September 30, 2024). "DirecTV agrees to buy Dish for $1 | CNN Business". CNN.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Chapman, Michelle; Grantham-Philips, Wyatte (September 30, 2024). "Satellite service DirecTV buys rival Dish as it fights the onslaught of streaming services". ABC News. Retrieved September 30, 2024.

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