Focus Broadband (the member-owned co-op that serves large parts of southeastern North Carolina) is deliberately winding down its legacy cable/linear TV offering. It is steering customers toward internet-delivered video, including a promoted path to DirecTV’s streaming options.
That change affects how you watch live sports, local channels, and bundled TV channels.
Below are the details on why Focus Broadband is exiting cable TV, the timeline, what this means for you as a customer, and much more.
The Focus Broadband move, explained
Focus Broadband announced a phased shutdown of its traditional cable-TV offering (branded MergeTV in many materials) and began converting customers to streaming-first alternatives.
The company says the move reflects how customers consume video today and that it will continue to sell internet and phone services.
The Broadband firm promotes DirecTV as an alternative and runs a landing page that explains how customers can stream DirecTV over their Focus internet connection.
Focus also offered a limited-time $10/month discount on DirecTV Internet plans for customers who sign up and keep their broadband with Focus, with a 24-month contract required, as reported.
Why Focus Broadband is exiting cable TV
The firm sells two kinds of profit centers: broadband and linear video. The company plans to keep broadband and ditch the loss-making entity where it makes sense.
On the company website, CEO Keith Holden says:
“Because our customers have evolved in how they use communications services, we are evolving with them and delivering new technologies and a broadband connection capable of meeting their needs for years to come.”
Below is a breakdown of all the reasons leading to this move:
- Cost reduction. Programming fees for cable carriage are rising. Running playout and maintaining coax infrastructure for legacy video costs money. By pushing streaming and third-party streaming bundles, Focus is shedding programming liabilities and maintenance costs.
- Product bundling and churn control. If Focus pushes customers to DirecTV’s streaming plans while keeping the broadband relationship, they are still in the customer’s monthly life. You’ll keep paying Focus for the internet. Often, operators attach discounts to keep churn low; Focus’s $10 DirecTV discount is a good example.
How the technical transition to DirecTV will work
If you accept DirecTV via Focus Internet, the delivery path for your channels changes. The platform will deliver content over your broadband connection with no satellite dish required for streaming plans. You will need compatible devices and, if needed, a streaming app or set-top box.
The company is also using a conversion program promoted as “Convert to Merge” or MergeTV to migrate customers to an app-based streaming guide and to remove traditional set-top boxes in phased territories. The conversion includes a scheduled appointment and a deadline letter for customers who need to switch.
Your in-home coax and Focus cable boxes will hence become irrelevant.
So, in short: Focus keeps broadband, outsources video experience to streaming platforms (their own app for some customers; DirecTV for customers who want a bigger bundle or prefer the DirecTV brand). That’s a low-capex, lower-risk strategy for a regional co-op. focusbroadband.com+1
The timeline and scope: When Focus Broadband is exiting cable TV
Focus has already staged the conversion in phases. The shutdown of traditional MergeTV services has been underway from 2024 through mid-2025, with the company telling customers to schedule conversions and setting final deadlines for when the legacy service will stop.
Their website lists conversion appointment steps and deadline warnings, showing this is an active, ongoing program, not a vague plan.
If you still rely on a cable box from Focus, you’ll likely face a scheduled conversion notice. The company will either issue a technician visit or give you instructions to set up MergeTV or a DirecTV streaming plan. Don’t ignore any mailed deadlines, as failure to convert will result in the loss of cable TV service.
What this means for prices, contracts, and your wallet
When operators transition customers, they often swap one fee for another and attach new contract terms. Focus’s reported DirecTV discount carries a 24-month agreement for the promotional rate. That means you should watch for:
- New long-term commitments. The $10/month DirecTV promotion requires 24 months and locks you into a streaming supplier you might later find less competitive. Compare the long-term total cost vs. other OTT bundles.
- Bundled internet pricing changes. Focus will likely offset lost TV revenue by tightening internet bundles or adding managed Wi-Fi, equipment rental, or higher-speed tier fees. Keep a close eye on your bill after conversion.
- Equipment costs. MergeTV and DirecTV let you use your own streaming device or rent a box. Calculate the cost of purchasing a device vs. monthly rental to see which saves money over time.