AT&T puts off EchoStar/DirecTV to H2 '08

NEW YORK, Dec 11 (Reuters) - AT&T Inc (T.N) does not expect to decide between DirecTV Group Inc (DTV.O) and EchoStar Communications Corp (DISH.O) as its sole future satellite television partner until the second half of 2008, AT&T Chief Financial Officer Rick Lindner said on Tuesday.

AT&T currently offers television services from EchoStar in some markets and from DirecTV in others. Lindner said in an interview with Reuters that AT&T has yet to decide but favors an eventual partnership with just one of these companies.

"The time frame I think for making a decision on a new long-term contract is probably pushed off until sometime in 2008, maybe even the second half of 2008," Lindner said.

He said the company is still in talks with both and that its existing agreement with one of the companies runs through the end of 2008. He did not say which one.

(Editing by Jeffrey Benkoe)

(Reporting by sinead.carew@reuters.com; +1 646-223-6186)) Keywords: AT&T SATELLITE/

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