After over a decade of on and off talks, a merger between DirecTV and Dish is poised to become a reality. The deal announced on Monday for the former to acquire the latter for $1 and $9.75 billion in debt will form the largest pay TV operator with around 18 million subscribers -- leapfrogging past Charter Communications and Comcast -- as it looks to stem satellite TV's bleeding from cord-cutting.

DirecTV is acquiring satellite rival Dish Network, creating by far the largest U.S. pay-TV operator. The two satellite companies, which have struggled in recent years due to cord-cutting and their innate inability to offer broadband services, have discussed coming together several times over the years.

DirecTV to acquire rival Dish Network, subject to regulatory approval. Regulators shut down a similar merger in 2002. After a two-week blackout, ESPN and other Disney-owned channels are back on DirecTV. The Walt Disney Company and DirecTV announced Saturday that they are in the process of finalizing a new contract.