Telecom operator AT&T and its joint-venture partner TPG are in early-stage talks to merge their DirecTV satellite TV service with EchoStar owned Dish, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters on Friday.

AT&T and TPG Capital in talks to merge DirecTV with EchoStar's Dish, creating US' largest pay-TV provider amid antitrust scrutiny and changing

AT&T Inc and joint-venture partner TPG Inc are in talks to combine their DirecTV service with Dish, according to people familiar with the matter, a deal that could create the largest pay-TV provider in the United States.