AT&T is considering selling DirecTV, report says

[JBT]

But Wall Street investment bankers are telling AT&T there is a simple solution that would involve a sale of DirecTV or a merger, people familiar with the matter say. Among the deals being pushed is one where DirecTV teams up with Dish Network by spinning off the companies into a separate unit or a merger that could be financed with capital from private equity firms since Dish — with 12 million subscribers — is a significantly smaller company than DirecTV, these people add.



https://www.foxbusiness.com/features...unload-directv

[JBT]

NFL Ticket is the only reason I keep Direct TV. Still better than Dish. Not sure about Uverse. Time Warner is not an option

[robfine]

I have had DirecTV for about 12 years. I used to love it. Pricing was good (relatively) and service was excellent. Then AT&T bought it. Pricing soared but the service got... just... (let me just say that “non-existent” would be an improvement). AT&T— if you love DirecTV, set it free. Maybe its customers will then love it again as well.

[FreddieFerric]

Something is definitely up. I subscribed to the DirectTV Now app for my Apple 4K TV. Recently I received notice that app was being replaced with a new AT&T TV app. Sure enough, within a week, the DirecTV app was gone and the new app appeared.

[JBT]

Originally Posted by robfine

I have had DirecTV for about 12 years. I used to love it. Pricing was good (relatively) and service was excellent. Then AT&T bought it. Pricing soared but the service got... just... (let me just say that “non-existent” would be an improvement). AT&T— if you love DirecTV, set it free. Maybe its customers will then love it again as well.

Yep. Service has gotten really bad since ATT took over. In late July I had an appointment for a tech to come out between Noon and 5pm. Never showed and no phone call . I called the next day and they were pronto on getting someone out the following day. I had to remind them I've been a subscriber since 1997. They no longer let you buy the equipment so now you have to pay monthly rental which costs me 55 bucks a month. The FEDs. preventing a merger between Dish and Direct TV was just dumb. There's so much competition out there now Cable and Satellite are fighting to hold on to their customers.

[DonBattles]

Originally Posted by robfine

I have had DirecTV for about 12 years. I used to love it. Pricing was good (relatively) and service was excellent. Then AT&T bought it. Pricing soared but the service got... just... (let me just say that “non-existent” would be an improvement). AT&T— if you love DirecTV, set it free. Maybe its customers will then love it again as well.

I’ve had DirecTV since 1997 and I agree it was once a good price. I have friends with other services and a few times I considered a change, but after checking out the others I stayed with DTV. And while prices have gone up I cannot comment about customer service really. In 22 years I have had maybe three events that required me to contact customer service. The last time was a few years ago and the matter was resolved with little fuss.

However what I am not thinking is simply cutting the cord and dropping DTV as I find myself watching fewer and fewer shows via DTV. What I do utilize most of the time is Prime and Netflix. And when the Marvel content goes to Disney I’ll likely pick up that service as well.

[Puma Cat]

In my experience, AT&T f*cks up virtually everything it touches.

Much like the companies that acquired the biotech companies I've worked in...

After a full 30+ years of working in North American corporations, my view of North American executive leadership is not very high...actually, its not high at all.

One thing you can count on is in American corporations is for new executive management to come in and set fires....I call it "executive arson".

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by puma cat

in my experience, at&t f*cks up virtually everything it touches.

Much like the companies that acquired the biotech companies i've worked in...

After a full 30+ years of working in north american corporations, my view of north american executive leadership is not very high...actually, its not high at all.

One thing you can count on is in american corporations is for new executive management to come in and set fires....i call it "executive arson".

great post!!!

[JJinID]

Interesting timing...

I had to call DirecTV today to get them to reduce my bill which after my credits had expired ballooned up by $65/month. They cut it back by $55 which is good enough for me to continue to hang one in the short term as a 20 year customer, I suppose.

I agree with the comments that their customer service has definitely gone downhill, and I hope that AT&T (which I refer to as the "Death Star") does sell them and that they do merge with Dish Network to get things back under control and reasonable...

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by Puma Cat

In my experience, AT&T f*cks up virtually everything it touches. ".

That’s pretty much it in a nutshell.