For years the rumor has floated out there that either Verizon or AT&T would buy DirecTV in order to have direct control of the company's satellite TV operations. Sometimes these rumors are based in conjecture, but more often than not they're based on nothing whatsoever. With DirecTV prepared to get a new CEO (their last CEO just departed to be Rupert Murdoch's right-hand man at News Corp.), the rumors are apparently bubbling up once again. According to Reuters, representatives from both AT&T and Verizon have approached Liberty Media over the last few years about a sale, and the outlet cites sources who believe new CEO Michael White is little more than a "babysitter" until this endlessly-rumored deal can be accomplished.

Confirming one of the worst kept secrets so far this year, DirecTV CEO Chase Carey is quitting his job at DirecTV to return to News Corporation, where he'll be Rupert Murdoch's right hand man. Under Carey's watch, DirecTV renegotiated their exclusive deal with the NFL (the bane of cable and telcoTV viewers everywhere), led the industry in HD channel total and quality, and fused with Liberty Media. One notable thing Carey didn't try to do was force the company back into the broadband business after several previous failed attempts. Carey's new boss, Rupert Murdoch, hasn't had much nice to say about DirecTV over the years, at one point calling the company "a turd bird."

DirecTV CEO Chase Carey's potential departure for News Corporation has resulted in yet another round of rumors that DirecTV could be sold. According to Collins Stewart cable and satellite analyst Tom Eagan, Carey's done the "heavy lifting" in turning the satellite carrier around and negotiating the Liberty Media merger and NFL contract extension -- and is now ready to be Rupert Murdoch's number right arm at News Corp. AT&T, who just selected DirecTV as their exclusive TV resale partner in non-U-Verse neighborhoods, has been rumored to be a prime candidate to take over DirecTV for as long as we can remember. Other than stock fluctuations (which may be the whole point), nothing ever comes of the rumors.

Charter Communications sued DirecTV earlier this week for false advertising, claiming that DirecTV ads urging customers to flee Charter due to their bankruptcy and reorganization infer that the company is on the brink of disaster. A Judge has subsequently ruled that DirecTV must stop running the ads unless they are modified. "We are still able to point to the fact that Charter is in bankruptcy and the outcome is uncertain," DirecTV says -- they apparently just can't advise customers to run for their lives.

The St Louis Post-Dispatch reports this morning that Charter has filed suit against DirecTV seeking damages and an injunction over a recent DirecTV ad campaign. Charter claims the DirecTV ads infer that Charter's recent bankruptcy filing means Charter will soon go under, and that customers should flee to DirecTV in order to continue receiving television service. From the complaint:Technically, Charter's ugly fight with creditors could end badly, resulting in the dissection and sale of Charter assets, but Charter repeatedly insists that customers will see no impact from the reorganization.