Although agreeing that a merger with DirecTV would allow for greater efficiencies and a bolstered satellite fleet, Hodel said he was still skeptical about the long-term viability of satellite TV.
"It's hard to see a payoff--a financial payoff--on this project in my lifetime, " concedes Hodel, 73, from his Lakewood, Colo. living room, near a stack of ski magazines and a book about global energy.