AT&T talks with new Sling-owner EchoStar said to be "heating up"

EchoStar sure seems to be keeping itself busy these days, with its long-running talks with AT&T now said to be "heating up" just days after it acquired Sling Media for a cool $380 million. According to TheStreet.com, EchoStar is apparently considering splitting the company into two publicly traded units, one that would focus on its consumer TV service (which is where Sling fits in) and one that would focus on its wholesale satellite transmission service. As you can probably guess, it's the former that AT&T is interested in, and it's apparently prepared to pay $55 a share for the potentially separate company. According to TheStreet, however, EchoStar is currently holding out for a hefty $65 a share, although at least one analyst "sensing a deal in the works" is speculating that AT&T will "likely pay about $56 a share for the TV service." As TheStreet points out, the acquisition would likely help out AT&T with it's so-called Project Lightspeed, which aims to combine TV, phone, and internet service on a single fiber optic network.

[Comacozi @ Sep 27th 2007 7:29PM]

if only att had service in my area...then i would give a damn

[magicite @ Sep 27th 2007 7:53PM]

L. Bob Rife, anyone?

[Dave @ Sep 27th 2007 8:17PM]

All AT&T cables lead to the Department of Homeland Security.

[Rob @ Sep 27th 2007 8:51PM]

"one that would focus on its wholesale satellite transmission service."
"AT&T aims to combine TV, phone, and internet service on a single fiber optic network."

Did I miss something here? Why would AT&T be interested in buying a "satellite tv" company when it's concerned about bringing tv, phone, and internet via fiber optic network?

[Rob Elsner @ Sep 28th 2007 12:19AM]

How does AT&T get the content? It has to be broadcast somehow, and one of the best ways thus far is satellite.

[prOn* @ Sep 27th 2007 9:04PM]

slingbox mobile would complete my iphone!!

[Frankenstein Black @ Sep 28th 2007 10:04AM]

Sling is game! Its now up to uncle Steve to agree ;^(...
http://www.tuaw.com/2007/04/19/sling-media-wants-to-stream-to-iphone/

[billy bob thorton @ Sep 27th 2007 9:36PM]

well this just ruined my day. Doesn't anyone care that AT&T is creating a monopoly again? I'm already pissed that I have a very limited choice. I will never have AT&T service again. I'll move first.

[Dave T @ Sep 28th 2007 2:20AM]

"Did I miss something here? Why would AT&T be interested in buying a "satellite tv" company when it's concerned about bringing tv, phone, and internet via fiber optic network?"

Satellite and landlines for people in the country and IPTV and VOIP for cityfolk, I guess. I can't see fiber optic networks in small towns across the US, It's also a good backup plan if Uverse doesn't take off like they expect it to.

[sr @ Sep 28th 2007 2:30AM]

Tell me about it. They just released Slingplayer for Symbian today and I wanted to buy a Slingbox today, and then I saw this.

Do we really need these monkeys coming in and f'king up a great product? These greedy pigs will find a way to charge a monthly fee for Slingbox service and we will all be screwed.

I hate this.

[Brad @ Sep 28th 2007 12:50PM]

Actually, you'd be surprised how many little towns have fiber. The company I work for has a beta test site where every house in a town of about 2000 has gigabit fiber to their house.

And everyone, EVERYONE is getting phone/tv/internet over the same fiber. "Project Lightspeed" is just AT&T's marketing speak for "Doing the exact same thing as every ILEC in the country"

When you gotta replace copper, you can lay down fiber and get the government to pay for it. =)

[Bryan T @ Sep 28th 2007 4:02AM]

Maybe I would like this? I was really hoping for a sling player for my iPhone, and the last time I checked the Sling Community website, the developers were saying they would love to make an app. for the iPhone, it's just, well, you know....

Is that a possibility now? Or am I completely missing the point?

[Trent @ Oct 1st 2007 4:04PM]

Yeah I have to agree,

Slingmedia + Echostar/Dish TV = ALARMING!

Slingmedia + Echostar + AT&T = UNWANTED!!!

AT&T + ANYTHING = UNWANTED!!!