The proposed merger between DirecTV and Dish Network, aiming to create a formidable competitor in the telecommunications landscape, rests on a shaky foundation of flawed assumptions.

The primary assumption is that combining these two struggling satellite TV providers will lead to a resurgence in their fortunes. However, this overlooks the fundamental shift in consumer behavior. The rise of streaming services has decimated traditional cable and satellite TV, and this trend is only accelerating. Merging two players struggling to adapt to this change doesn’t create a new market, it simply combines two shrinking ones.

Furthermore, the merger claims to foster competition. But this assertion ignores the reality of market dynamics. Combining two struggling entities doesn’t increase competition; it concentrates power within a single entity, potentially stifling innovation and leading to higher prices for consumers.

The deal’s success hinges on the ability to attract new customers and retain existing ones, while simultaneously offering a competitive service in a rapidly evolving landscape. But the reality is that neither DirecTV nor Dish Network has demonstrated a strong track record of adapting to the changing market. Combining their weaknesses is unlikely to create a stronger force.

The DirecTV-Dish deal may seem like a solution on the surface, but it addresses the wrong problem. The real challenge lies in adapting to the changing landscape of entertainment consumption, not simply combining two sinking ships. This deal, built on flawed assumptions, risks becoming a monumental waste of resources instead of a true solution for the future of television.