DirecTV, Dish Are Said in Talks to Merge Satellite-TV Businesses

AT&T Inc. and joint-venture partner TPG Inc. are in talks to combine their DirecTV service with Dish, according to people familiar with the matter, a deal that could create the largest pay-TV provider in the US.

The discussions between DirecTV and Dish parent EchoStar Corp. are in the early stages, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the information is private. An agreement hasn’t been reached and talks could still end without one, they said.

“Rumors about a potential transaction involving DirecTV and Dish are nothing new, but we don’t comment on rumors and speculation,” a ...