EchoStar to sell Dish to DirecTV, combining major pay-TV providers

EchoStar is selling its Dish TV provider and digital business Sling to rival provider DirecTV in a deal announced Monday that brings together two of the largest pay-TV providers and sent EchoStar shares plunging 10%. DirecTV agreed to pay a nominal fee of $1 for Dish. The deal will see DirecTV assume about $9.75 billion in debt and is contingent on consent from some of Dish's bondholders, according to a news release. The deal is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. Combined, DirecTV and Dish wil ...