FanPost

AT&T to buy DirecTV: What does this mean for Pac-12 Networks on DirecTV?

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In case you missed the latest piece of news about media consolidation, AT&T has entered into talks to buy DirecTV. The deal is worth $49 billion, and AT&T/DirecTV could be the #2 provider of cable in the country, behind new mega cable company Comcast/Time Warner. As if your cable and internet options didn't suck enough already. (Just a side note: This deal may not come to fruition if DirecTV does not resign with the NFL for Sunday Ticket.)

The obvious implication for this is the Pac-12 Network on DirecTV: AT&T carries it, DirecTV does not.

Jon Wilner from the SJ Mercury News broke it down:

Reaction I: If you’re a Pac-12 fan and missed the initial news, take note:

AT&T’s purchase is the best chance for the Pac-12 Networks to get on the DirecTV airwaves.

Reaction II: The transaction is a long way from being done. It won’t close until next year and must be approved by federal regulators, which is anything but a given.

Yes, this finally might be what the Pac-12 needs to get on DirecTV. DirecTV has long balked at paying the higher subscriber fee for Pac-12, and the Pac-12 refuses to budge on the price point.

Reaction III: If the Feds sign off, then AT&T would acquire DTV’s 20 million (approx) customers. DTV is expected to exist as its own unit and could, in theory, continue to reject the terms the Pac-12 has offered.

Basically, there won't be an instant hope that Pac-12 will be immediately available on DTV once the deal is approved, but in time a deal could be made with AT&T and the Pac-12 Networks, instead of with DirecTV.

Here is the bad news: this deal will not be approved before 2014 football season, so if you're a DTV subscriber that's still holding out, it's time to go find a bar with Dish Network.

If the Pac12Nets appear on DTV’s airwaves as a result of the takeover, it wouldn’t happen until 2015, or perhaps even 2016.

That's a long time to wait.

However, as a side note, Comcast and Time Warner are also merging, and part of that merger deal includes Charter. If that deal is approved, many more west coasters will receive Pac-12 Networks. As more telecoms pick up Pac-12, hopefully the drumbeats will get louder and DTV will eventually give in.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of BruinsNation's (BN) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of BN's editors.

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