There were basically two sorts of responses to the news that AT&T was buying DirectTV for $48.5 billion.
Just in: ATT officially announces merger with Direct TV #CNNMoney http://t.co/lYLPFIX41q
— susan candiotti (@susancandiotti) May 18, 2014
Some people were genuinely concerned about net neutrality, competition, and possible monopolies.
Competition evaporating — OFFICIAL: AT&T buying DirectTV. @wkyc http://t.co/mdEbIs72m2
— Chris Tye (@TVTye) May 18, 2014
AT&T bought Direct TV for $50 billion. Is that how you say "first strike to net neutrality"?
— Morgan Chase Cantees (@ChaseCantees) May 19, 2014
https://twitter.com/_JerryWood/status/468188009406279681
https://twitter.com/jonathan_sal1/status/468189332751147008
TimeWarner/Comcast, AT&T/DirectTV… the last mile to the consumer matters more than ever. Net neutrality matters more than ever.
— Jerry Chen (@jerrychen) May 18, 2014
Others were focused on what was in it for them.
https://twitter.com/VanguardVivian/status/468171236355604480
Thanks to the #bestbuy salesman last year who suggested I buy #directtv shares. AT+T are now paying $95 for them!
— Frank Joseph Desmond Parks (@FrankJDParks) May 19, 2014
My 1st thought upon hearing that AT&T has acquired DirectTV: this better be a net positive for wider access to NFL Sunday Ticket.
— Juston Western (@JustonWestern) May 19, 2014
No surprise that upon hearing AT&T bought DirectTV, my only thought is let's hope NFL Ticket is first crossover. #priorities #straight
— Mike Solomon (@mikeso1omon) May 19, 2014
Then there was this guy.
AT&T buys DirectTV for $45 Billion; YouTube reportedly is buying Twitch for $1 Billion…
I AM FOR SALE. Only 1 million & I'll do ANYTHING.
— Lamarr Wilson (@LamarrWilson) May 18, 2014