DirecTV is currently in advanced discussions to acquire their rival, Dish Network, as part of a merger. The companies were previously the two biggest satellite television providers in the United States.

DirecTV and Dish Network -- two longtime rivals that have explored joining up at various times for decades -- may be headed to the altar.

Shares of Dish Network parent EchoStar surged on heavy trading volume Friday on reports of a merger agreement could soon be reached between Dish and satellite TV rival DirecTV. With an hour left in the trading day,

Shares of EchoStar soared Friday on a report that its Dish is in advanced talks to be acquired by satellite-TV rival DirecTV.

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

Reports indicate that the merged company would fall under DIRECTV’s control, begging the question of what it would do with DISH’s live TV streamer? Two of the biggest pay-TV distributors in the United States could be about to become one.