AT&T is in “advanced talks” to acquire DirecTV for about $50 billion, according to sources cited by Bloomberg. The deal, which values the satellite TV provider at about $100 per share, may be reached sometime in the next two weeks.
The companies expect to face a 12-month regulatory review process, after which DirecTV would operate as a separate unit owned by AT&T. A tie-up between the two firms was suggested as a possibility by The Wall Street Journal last month. AT&t already operates home TV, telephony, and internet businesses, in addition to its wireless business. DirecTV would supplement its home TV offering.
