WSJ: DISH and Acquisition Offers

[Gregg Lengling]

Despite efforts by other companies to acquire content or a distribution platform, a move by Charlie Ergen to sell his company appears to be wishful thinking, according to Monday's Wall Street Journal.

While rumors have circulated that EchoStar could be an acquisition target, thanks to recent moves by Comcast to take over Disney, Ergen has reportedly told friends and others in the business he really doesn't want to give up control of the satellite TV company, the Journal reported. Also, Ergen has veto power over any offer because he and his family control more than 90 percent of EchoStar's voting stock, the financial paper said.

Still, speculation has run rampant: Disney is rumored to be interested in obtaining a platform, and DISH surfaces to the top of the rumor mill; and SBC Communications is considered another potential suitor, especially since it has a joint marketing agreement with EchoStar. While SBC is seen as a likely buyer, the company has its hands full with the pending purchase of AT&T Wireless by Cingular, which is 60 percent owned by SBC, the Journal said.