DISH/DIRECTV Scramble to Save Merger This Week; Stream ‘Like Water for Chocolate’ and ‘Despicable Me 4’
Anger from investors possibly preventing DIRECTV and DISH from merging was the top streaming story of the week.
With October out and November in, it was a bit of a quiet week in streaming news. The top story of the week was the news that some bumps had arisen in the road for DIRECTV and DISH in their efforts to merge their two satellite TV operations into the biggest pay-TV company in the United States.
The week also saw the streaming premiere of a favorite family-friendly movie in “Despicable Me 4,” and the hits continue this weekend when “Like Water for Chocolate” debuts on Max. Check out everything you need to know about these stories below!
This Week’s Biggest Streaming News
Merger of DIRECTV, DISH Threatened by Unhappy Investors
The top story of the week in streaming was the struggles of DIRECTV and DISH to move their proposed merger to the next step. The two sides have most terms of the transaction seemingly ironed out, but a problem arose late last week when a group of DISH bondholders said they were uninterested in moving forward with a swap for new bonds from the merged company at the proposed exchange rate.
To try and remedy the issue, DIRECTV and DISH have revised the offer to decrease the discount these investors will have to take in the swap. They now have until Nov. 12 to signal whether or not they’ll take the new deal.
A merged DIRECTV and DISH would have 19 million pay-TV customers, instantly becoming the largest pay-TV company in the United States. DIRECTV says that this will give it increased leverage when negotiating with programmers for their channels, and could lead to lower rates for customers.
If the two companies do merge, the question of what happens to DISH’s live TV streaming service Sling TV will come into play. DIRECTV would take control of Sling in the deal and could continue to offer the skinny channel package as is or make significant changes.
Sling TV
Sling TV is The Streamable’s choice for cord cutters on a budget. Sling is a live TV streaming service with multiple channel packages. The $40/month Sling Orange plan offers about 30 channels, including Disney Channel and ESPN. The $40/month Sling Blue plan offers about 40 channels, including ABC, Fox, and NBC in major markets.
You can combine Orange+Blue for a total of $55 / month. Sling also offers many channel add-on packages starting at $6/month.
What to Stream This Weekend: ‘Like Water for Chocolate’
This latest adaptation of the classic novel by Laura Esquivel is debuting on Max on Sunday, and early reviews are teasing it as one of the better TV shows of the year so far. The Spanish-language series follows the tale of two lovers: Tita de la Garza and Pedro Múzquiz. They’re deeply in love, yet unable to be together due to entrenched family customs. The protagonists navigate a world of magical realism and rich flavors as Tita struggles between the destiny imposed on her by her family and her fight for love. Along the way, the audience will witness her greatest refuge: the kitchen.
For Tita, her magical connection to cooking becomes an active resistance against oppression, allowing her to channel her deepest desires and passions into her recipes, transforming those who taste them. Set during the Mexican Revolution, the series also addresses the struggle of women to control their own destinies. The breathtaking locations in Tlaxcala and Mexico City provide an authentic and powerful backdrop for this adaptation of a beloved Mexican literary classic.
Max
Max is a subscription video streaming service that gives access to the full HBO library, along with exclusive Max Originals. There are hubs for content from TLC, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, TCM, Cartoon Network, Travel Channel, ID, and more. Watch hit series like “The Last of Us,” “House of the Dragon,” “Succession,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” and more. Thanks to the B/R Sports add-on, users can watch NBA, MLB, NHL, March Madness, and NASCAR events.
What to Watch From This Week: ‘Despicable Me 4’
If you and the kids are looking for a way to come down from the madness of Halloween this weekend, Peacock has a great choice for you. “Despicable Me 4” shows a different side of Gru and his Minions, as they settle down into the family life. He’s got a job installing solar panels, a wife he loves deeply, and four kids: Margo, Edith, Agnes, and the new baby Gru Jr.
But as these things usually go, Gru’s domestic bliss is rudely interrupted by the return of an old foe from his past. It sends his family scurrying into hiding and puts Gru into protective mode. With the help of his Minions he’ll cook up the most dastardly plan yet, but will it be enough to ensure the safety of his family once and for all?
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” and “The Office,” as well as original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports including NFL, MLB, WWE, Olympics, Premier League, NASCAR, French Open, College Football and Basketball, and PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.