The deal would provide a loan to Dish parent EchoStar Communications and also prompt the departure of AT&T from its ownership of DirecTV.

The combination "will benefit U.S. video consumers by creating a more robust competitive force in a video industry dominated by streaming services owned by large tech companies and programmers," the companies said.

DirecTV and Dish have agreed to combine in a deal that will create the biggest pay-TV provider in the US. Under the terms of the transaction, DirecTV will acquire Dish from its owner EchoStar Corp. for a nominal consideration of $1 plus the assumption of about $9.

By Phillip Swann The TV Answer Man –Follow me on X. Former editor of Satellite DIRECT magazine. Reported on DIRECTV for