AT&T to dump DirecTV in 2008

AT&T said it will stop selling DirecTV satellite TV service in the first quarter of 2008. This isn't a terribly surprising move, considering AT&T has long resold EchoStar DISH TV service and recently has been rumored to be interested in acquiring Echostar. The DirecTV relationship came to AT&T through its acquisition of BellSouth, and thus, primarily focuses on the customer base in the Southeast.

Still, AT&T's resale agreement with EchoStar only runs through the end of next year. If AT&T doesn't acquire EchoStar, will it end the relationship next year? If that happens, could DirecTV return as a resale partner, or with U-Verse expanding, would AT&T wave good-bye to satellite TV for good?

For more:
- check out this Dow Jones wire story in CNN Money
- read this story in Multichannel News

Related articles:
- The EchoStar acquisition chatter was running hot, then cold