DirecTV Ends Dish Acquisition Over Debt Dispute

The $1 deal, which included assuming $9.75 billion in debt, collapsed after Dish bondholders rejected key terms.

DirecTV terminated its agreement to acquire Dish Network after bondholders refused a proposed $1.57 billion debt reduction plan.
The merger, announced in September, would have created the largest U.S. pay-TV provider with nearly 20 million subscribers.
EchoStar, Dish's parent company, sought to offload its declining satellite TV business to focus on expanding its 5G wireless network.
DirecTV emphasized that the termination protects its financial stability and allows it to focus on next-generation streaming platforms.
The collapse of the deal does not affect TPG's planned purchase of AT&T's remaining 70% stake in DirecTV, set to close in 2025.