In this March 12, 2012 file photo, actor Ed O'Neill, a cast member in the television series "Modern Family," poses before the PaleyFest panel discussion on the show, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) --
Actor Ed O'Neill is supporting an effort to raise funds to complete a documentary about a colorful congressman in his native northeast Ohio.
Filmmaker Eric Murphy says he is has a crowd-funding campaign to raise $17,500 to finish production and add a new ending to "Traficant: Congressman of Crimetown." Former U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr. died last month at age 73 following a tractor accident on his family's farm near Youngstown.
O'Neill was interviewed for the documentary and added a narrative voice. Backers who pledge at least $2,500 get lunch with O'Neill, the veteran actor who's in the TV comedy series "Modern Family." The Plain Dealer of Cleveland reports they also will get co-producer credit.
O'Neill has signed books, artwork and other items for $1,000 pledges.
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
