EchoStar Communications Corp. (NasdaqNM
ISH - News) , confronting larger rivals with deeper pockets, is discussing a potentially wide-ranging alliance with Luxembourg's SES Global SA that would extend to new lines of business outside the U.S., Monday's Wall Street Journal reported, citing industry officials.
EchoStar Communications Chief Executive Charles Ergen, who runs the No. 2 satellite-broadcaster in the U.S., still is assessing the damage from last week's bitter public clash with Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA - News) , which temporarily yanked certain popular channels off EchoStar's Dish Network. But these officials said Mr. Ergen also has been talking about a possible pact with SES, the largest global satellite operator, including joint ventures on a number of future satellites. Down the road, the talks also envision the two companies launching a major Internet-via-satellite project in Latin America.
The negotiations remain preliminary, and a resolution could take months or even longer. SES is talking with other U.S. satellite players as well. But the contacts with EchoStar seek to build on a partnership already in place in the U.S., one that's slated to begin offering broadband services to rural customers across the country within the next year. If successful, the continuing discussions would substantially expand that strategic alliance and pave the way for EchoStar's first foray outside the U.S.
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ISH - News) , confronting larger rivals with deeper pockets, is discussing a potentially wide-ranging alliance with Luxembourg's SES Global SA that would extend to new lines of business outside the U.S., Monday's Wall Street Journal reported, citing industry officials. EchoStar Communications Chief Executive Charles Ergen, who runs the No. 2 satellite-broadcaster in the U.S., still is assessing the damage from last week's bitter public clash with Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA - News) , which temporarily yanked certain popular channels off EchoStar's Dish Network. But these officials said Mr. Ergen also has been talking about a possible pact with SES, the largest global satellite operator, including joint ventures on a number of future satellites. Down the road, the talks also envision the two companies launching a major Internet-via-satellite project in Latin America.
The negotiations remain preliminary, and a resolution could take months or even longer. SES is talking with other U.S. satellite players as well. But the contacts with EchoStar seek to build on a partnership already in place in the U.S., one that's slated to begin offering broadband services to rural customers across the country within the next year. If successful, the continuing discussions would substantially expand that strategic alliance and pave the way for EchoStar's first foray outside the U.S.
For the entire article click here
