DirecTV is acquiring satellite rival Dish Network, creating by far the largest U.S. pay-TV operator. The two satellite companies, which have struggled in recent years due to cord-cutting and their innate inability to offer broadband services, have discussed coming together several times over the years.

DirecTV and Dish have agreed to combine in a deal that will create the biggest pay-TV provider in the US with about 18 million subscribers.Under the terms of the transaction, DirecTV will acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from EchoStar Corp.