Analyst: DirecTV's loss could be AT&T's gain

With DirecTV CEO Chase Carey being pursued by his former employer, News Corp., speculation is heating up that his departure could mean a sale of the satellite TV provider, says Multichannel News. The likely buyer? AT&T. The telco could use the service to spice up its competition with cablecos who presently are gaining an edge in technology by offering DOCSIS 3.0 technologies.

But, AT&T has spent millions on its U-verse buildout and already is a reseller of DirecTV service, and that could make things a bit more messy, especially in its deal with Qwest.

Carey is under contract to DirecTV--which is in the midst of a difficult merger deal with Liberty Entertainment--until 2010. He was co-COO of News Corp. from 1996 through 2002.

For more:
- see this Multichannel News article
- and this Tech Trader Daily article

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