THE GAP NARROWS

BY BRIAN SANTO, KAGAN

DirecTV is still the larger of the two major DBS companies in the U.S., but the gap is closing; DirecTV has about 11.6 mil. customers, and EchoStar about 8.8 mil. DirecTV had been signing up customers at a faster clip than EchoStar, but EchoStar has been more successful at attracting subs over the last five quarters. That period coincides with two major distractions for DirecTV: a proposed merger with EchoStar, which fell through, and the acquisition by News Corp., pending approval. Though DirecTV needs to regain the momentum it once had, both DBS companies continue to siphon subs from cable operators.