Reuters exclusively reports buyout firm TPG in lead for stake in AT&T’s DirecTV

Reuters exclusively reported that private equity firm TPG has entered into exclusive talks to acquire a minority stake in AT&T Inc’s satellite TV division, DirecTV, in a deal that would allow the U.S. wireless carrier to trim its net debt of close to $150 billion. The exact price TPG is willing to pay could not be learned, but Reuters sources said the deal could value DirecTV at more than $15 billion. AT&T shares rose nearly 1% on the news to an intraday high of $29.05.