This image released by HBO shows John Oliver, host of "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver." HBO says it has renewed the show for three additional seasons. (Eric Liebowitz/HBO via AP)
NEW YORK (AP) --
"Last Week Tonight" is going to last a few years longer. HBO says it has renewed "Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" for three additional seasons. This would carry it through at least 2020, with 30 shows presented each season.
The show takes a satirical look at the past week's news, politics and other happenings, as well as addressing broader issues. It debuted in 2014 and is in its fourth season.
This year it is nominated for eight prime-time Emmy Awards.
In a statement, HBO programming president Casey Bloys spoke of Oliver's "extraordinary genius for rich and intelligent commentary."
Oliver responded, "I firmly disagree with everything Casey just said."
"Last Week Tonight with John Oliver" airs Sundays at 11 p.m. Eastern.
Dish Network satellite dishes are shown at an apartment complex in Palo Alto, Calif., Feb. 23, 2011. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma, File)
DirecTV is calling off its planned acquisition of rival Dish after the offer was rejected by bond holders at that company.
The deal was reliant on Dish bond holders agreeing to trade in the debt they held for debt in the new company, a swap that would have cost them about $1.6 billion, collectively.
The retreat by DirecTV this week may end a years-long effort by the company to acquire both Dish and Sling after it announced the bid in September.
DirecTV was looking to acquire Dish TV and Sling TV from its owner EchoStar in a debt exchange transaction that included a payment of $1, plus the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. The deal was contingent on several factors, including regulatory approvals and bondholders writing off debt related to Dish.
"While we believed a combination of DirecTV and Dish would have benefited all stakeholders, we have terminated the transaction because the proposed exchange terms were necessary to protect DirecTV's balance sheet and our operational flexibility," DirecTV CEO Bill Morrow said in a statement.
The prospect of a DirecTV-Dish combo has long been rumored, and reported talks resurfaced over the years. And the two almost merged more than two decades ago — but the Federal Communications Commission blocked the deal valued at the time at $18.5 billion deal, citing antitrust concerns.
The pay-for-TV market has shifted significantly since. As more and more consumers tune into online streaming platforms, demand for more traditional satellite entertainment continues to shrink.
DirecTV says that it will continue to invest in next-generation streaming platforms and offer new packaging options while integrating content from live TV alongside direct-to-consumer... Read More
