http://www.tvpredictions.com/echodismiss010807.htm
Company chief also says merger rumors are unlikely.
By Phillip Swann
CES (January 8, 2007) -- Incoming DIRECTV boss John Malone says he might seek a HDTV partnership with rival satcaster EchoStar. But EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen says he may be wasting his time.
At a Consumer Electronics Show press conference, Ergen said today that the partnership would be difficult because the companies use different high-def transmission standards.
Malone, whose Liberty Media will take control of DIRECTV later this year, told Broadcasting & Cable magazine last month he believed a joint DIRECTV-EchoStar HDTV platform could save money and manpower.
"We could form an alliance with EchoStar and share a High-Definition platform, which would either double the capacity or cut the costs in half or some combination. We could develop content jointly with EchoStar for that High-Definition platform, which would be very interesting," Malone said.
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While dismissing Malone's joint platform idea, Ergen did say it made sense to share satellites.
"I've always felt that there are things satellite providers can do. You can share satellites," he said.
The EchoStar chief also said he didn't believe a full merger between the two satcasters was likely. However, he teased reporters by suggesting that DIRECTV might be contemplating a different merger partner.
"I think there's a merger on the table," Ergen said. "But it's not us and that one is going to take all of 2007 to get it done."
Wall Street analysts have speculated that Malone's Liberty Media may sell DIRECTV to a telco, such as AT&T.
Company chief also says merger rumors are unlikely.
By Phillip Swann
CES (January 8, 2007) -- Incoming DIRECTV boss John Malone says he might seek a HDTV partnership with rival satcaster EchoStar. But EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen says he may be wasting his time.
At a Consumer Electronics Show press conference, Ergen said today that the partnership would be difficult because the companies use different high-def transmission standards.
Malone, whose Liberty Media will take control of DIRECTV later this year, told Broadcasting & Cable magazine last month he believed a joint DIRECTV-EchoStar HDTV platform could save money and manpower.
"We could form an alliance with EchoStar and share a High-Definition platform, which would either double the capacity or cut the costs in half or some combination. We could develop content jointly with EchoStar for that High-Definition platform, which would be very interesting," Malone said.
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While dismissing Malone's joint platform idea, Ergen did say it made sense to share satellites.
"I've always felt that there are things satellite providers can do. You can share satellites," he said.
The EchoStar chief also said he didn't believe a full merger between the two satcasters was likely. However, he teased reporters by suggesting that DIRECTV might be contemplating a different merger partner.
"I think there's a merger on the table," Ergen said. "But it's not us and that one is going to take all of 2007 to get it done."
Wall Street analysts have speculated that Malone's Liberty Media may sell DIRECTV to a telco, such as AT&T.
