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Private equity firm could land minority stake in DirecTV

(Image: AT&T/Handout, Graphic: The Desk)

A private equity firm is in advanced discussions to acquire a minority stake in satellite television service DirecTV, according to a report.

On Friday, business news wire Reuters reported TPG Capital had “entered into exclusive talks to acquire a minority stake” in the AT&T-owned pay TV service.

Reuters was unable to get a precise purchase price, but sources reportedly told the news outlet that the acquisition could value DirecTV at $15 billion — far less than what AT&T paid for the satellite giant in 2014.

DirecTV has been losing subscribers every year since AT&T acquired it, and the phone company has been desperately seeking a way to rid itself of the satellite television provider for much of the last year.

AT&T is hoping to cut its losses by investing more focus toward its streaming television offerings, including HBO Max and AT&T TV, while building out its next-generation 5G wireless network.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is an award-winning journalist with more than 10 years of experience covering the business of television and radio broadcasting, streaming services and the overall media industry. In addition to his work as publisher of The Desk, Matthew contributes regularly to StreamTV Insider and KnowTechie, and has worked for several well-known news organizations, including Thomson Reuters, McNaughton Newspapers, Grasswire, Comstock's magazine, KTXL-TV and KGO-TV. Matthew is a member of IRE, a trade organization for investigative reporters and editors, and is based in Northern California.

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