If so, that means Dish will need, at least, about 20 Million Hopper and Joeys for DirecTV subs, not just for the single Box Households, but the multi-boxes also, imagine the costs.
Then the expense of sending installers out to exchange and exchange the dishes, it costs Dish/DirecTV about $600-800 on each new install, similar costs will be involved with a switch over.
That is why I said they will need Billions in capital to run a combined company, neither of them has that right now.
I really doubt, even if available, they want to get loans from the banks right now with the high rates.
There was a reason why we seen so many mergers before, interest rates were extremely low, it was a no brainer for Disney to buy Fox for example, those days are gone.
If a merger does happen, say goodbye to the RSNs when the contracts are due to be renewed.