AT&T has decided not to renew it's 5 year long partnership deal for the video portion of bundled TV services with Dish Network. The news comes as Dish Network faces uncertain times in the consumer television satellite market.

Rueters also mentions that Dish Network reported it's first lost ever loss in customer subscribers in the second quarter of 2008.

My thoughts? I think as consumers strap down spending in a tight economy like the one we're currently experiencing, all cable and satellite television providers are going to see slower growth rates (Or in Dish Network's case, a loss in subcribers!).

DirecTV is winning the battle in satellite subscribers, but I'd hate to see Dish Network have to merge or sell off to keep itself in the market. Competition is always a good thing for consumers.