Missouri Official Opposes EchoStar Deal

EchoStar Communications Corp. should be blocked from buying Hughes Electronics Corp. and gaining control of the U.S. market for satellite television service, Missouri Atty. Gen. Jeremiah Nixon said.

The proposed $33-billion combination would give one-third of Missouri residents a single choice for pay television or fast Internet access, Nixon said in written testimony prepared for a subcommittee hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee today.

EchoStar says buying DirecTV parent Hughes from General Motors Corp. will provide competition to cable monopolies, more local news and fast Internet access. The Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission must approve the combination.