It is reported that SBC Communications has entered negotiations to acquire DirecTV, a move which would ruin Rupert Murdoch’s ambition to take charge of a US satellite broadcaster.
DirecTV is the second largest pay-TV provider in the US and has been a long term target for Murdoch’s media empire. In 2001, News Corporation made sustained efforts to buy the broadcaster but was outmanoeuvred by EchoStar Communications (see Insight Analysis: Murdoch Walks Away From ‘Dream’ DirecTV Deal). Their bid was ultimately blocked by anti-trust authorities.