Failed DBS merger may drop dead sooner: Hughes can pull plug on EchoStar deal on Jan. 6. (Business).(Direct Broadcast Service)(Brief Article)

EchoStar and DirecTV acknowledged that they may pull the plug on their merger a couple of weeks earlier than expected. EchoStar's agreement to take over DirecTV parent Hughes Electronics has a drop-dead date of Jan. 21, which means that either side could pull out if the deal hasn't closed by then.

In a new FCC filing, however, the companies said that Hughes can terminate the deal as early as Jan. 6 if EchoStar has not secured FCC approval. And, of course, the FCC has already rejected the deal, saying it would harm consumers by reducing competition. The Justice Department has rejected it on similar grounds.

The disclosure was contained in a Hail Mary appeal of …