In this Feb. 28, 2016, file photo, Droid characters from "Star Wars", BB-8, from left, R2-D2, and C-3PO speak at the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
LOS ANGELES (AP) --
The Force is so strong with the "Star Wars" franchise that Lucasfilm and Disney are producing a weekly online video series about it.
"The Star Wars Show" is debuting Wednesday on YouTube, Facebook, StarWars.com and other online channels. Lucasfilm says the weekly series will celebrate "the franchise, fans and fun of the world of 'Star Wars.'"
While there are already several ongoing online series dedicated to "Star Wars" fandom, Lucasfilm says "The Star Wars Show" will stand out by offering exclusive news, never-before-seen footage and behind-the-scenes looks at "Star Wars" films, shows and games.
"The Star Wars Show" will be hosted by actor and "Star Wars" superfan Peter Townley and StarWars.com digital communications manager Andi Gutierrez.
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
