spacetoday.net: EchoStar files revised DirecTV merger plan

Posted: Sat, Nov 30, 2002, 3:34 PM ET (2034 GMT)
Direct television broadcasting operator EchoStar has filed with the FCC a revised offer to merge with competitor DirecTV that the companies hope will overcome the agency's previous objections. The plan, filed with the FCC on Wednesday and released to the press Friday, would transfer additional satellite frequencies to Cablevision to help that company establish its own satellite television business; EchoStar would license its products to Cablevision until that company can get its satellite business going, according to the Los Angeles Times. Details of the plan have been leaked to the media in the past several weeks. The FCC expressed its opposition to the merger in October because of anti-competitive concerns, and the Justice Department filed suit to block the merger shortly thereafter. EchoStar has until January 21, 2003 to consummate its merger with DirecTV; after that point DirecTV can break the merger agreement and shop itself to potential other suitors, including News Corporation, who lost a bid to merge with DirecTV last year.