Vrio Corp.
Vrio Corp. manages DirecTV and related pay-television, sports, content, and streaming operations in Latin America.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Vrio Corp. is a United States-headquartered media company responsible for the commercial operation of DirecTV's Latin American business and related television and streaming assets. The business originated in 1994, when Hughes Electronics Corporation and Venezuelan media company Grupo Cisneros formed Galaxy Latin America, a joint venture intended to distribute DirecTV programming across 27 Latin American countries. Its initial proposition consisted of a large multichannel subscription-television package, and the company subsequently expanded into markets including Chile, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, and Uruguay. The company adopted the name DirecTV Latin America LLC in 2000. During the early 2000s, it developed its position not only as a satellite-television distributor but also as a rights holder and content platform. It announced exclusive rights to the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups in several Latin American markets and created a temporary interactive channel for World Cup coverage in Chile, Colombia, and Uruguay. The regional pay-TV landscape then underwent substantial consolidation. News Corporation's investment in Hughes and its existing Latin American television interests contributed to a combination of DirecTV and Sky operations. Sky México and Sky Brasil absorbed their local DirecTV counterparts, while DirecTV became the continuing consumer brand in several other markets. Ownership changed several times before the business became Vrio. Grupo Cisneros sold its minority interest to The DirecTV Group in 2005. DirecTV was subsequently exchanged for shares in Liberty Media in 2008, separated into an independent company in 2009, and acquired by AT&T in 2015. AT&T announced a proposed initial public offering for a new Latin American company called Vrio Corp. in 2018, but cancelled the offering shortly before trading was due to begin. The Vrio identity nevertheless continued as the branding for AT&T's Latin American pay-TV operations. In July 2021, AT&T announced an agreement to sell Vrio to Argentina's Grupo Werthein. The transaction included DirecTV operations in Latin America and SKY Brasil, while certain broadband interests in Colombia and AT&T's stake in Sky México were excluded. The sale closed on November 16, 2021. In 2025, Vrio became part of Waiken ILW, a Werthein media and technology holding company. Vrio's business combines subscription television, proprietary and partner-produced channels, sports rights, entertainment programming, and over-the-top video services. Its principal channel brands include DSports, a sports network group; OnDirecTV, an entertainment channel; and DNews, a news channel launched in 2022. Its digital services have included DirecTV Go, later renamed DGO, and Sky+ in Brazil. These platforms combine live linear channels with video-on-demand content and extend the company's offering beyond satellite distribution. Vrio therefore occupies a hybrid position between a pay-TV operator, a regional content distributor, and a digital streaming platform.
History
Vrio's corporate history begins with the creation of Galaxy Latin America in 1994. Hughes Electronics Corporation and Grupo Cisneros established the joint venture to distribute DirecTV satellite television in 27 Latin American countries. The venture entered Chile and later Mexico, building a regional subscription-television footprint around a broad multichannel offering. In 2000, Galaxy Latin America LLC changed its name to DirecTV Latin America LLC. The company expanded its programming and sports-rights activities, including exclusive rights to the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups in Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, and Uruguay. It also developed a temporary interactive World Cup channel for selected markets, demonstrating the value of event-based programming in its satellite distribution model. DirecTV launched in Uruguay in September 2001. The regional television market was reorganized in the middle of the following decade. In late 2003, News Corporation acquired a controlling 34 percent interest in Hughes Electronics. Because News Corporation already operated related television businesses in Latin America, DirecTV and Sky activities were combined. Sky México and Sky Brasil absorbed local DirecTV operations and customers, while the DirecTV brand continued in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and other markets where the consolidation took a different form. Grupo Cisneros sold its 14 percent interest in DirecTV Latin America to The DirecTV Group in 2005. The parent company experienced further ownership changes. DirecTV was exchanged for shares to Liberty Media in 2008, spun off as a separate company in 2009, and acquired by AT&T in 2015. Under AT&T, the Latin American assets were considered for a separate public listing. AT&T announced the proposed Vrio Corp. initial public offering on March 7, 2018, but withdrew it on April 19, only hours before trading was scheduled to start. Although the IPO did not proceed, the Vrio name remained associated with the Latin American business. Regulatory and geopolitical issues affected the company's footprint. In January 2016, Bogotá's environmental authority sanctioned the Colombian subsidiary for unauthorized public advertising. In Venezuela, the company stopped operating on May 19, 2020. The cessation followed a conflict involving United States sanctions on certain Venezuelan channels and mandatory carriage requirements imposed by the country's telecommunications regulator, CONATEL. AT&T announced the sale of Vrio to Grupo Werthein on July 21, 2021. The transaction included DirecTV's Latin American operations and SKY Brasil but excluded AT&T's broadband operations in Colombia and its interest in Sky México. Completion took place on November 16, 2021, transferring the business to Argentine ownership. In 2025, Vrio became part of Waiken ILW, described as Werthein's media and technology holding company. The business has increasingly combined conventional satellite distribution with streaming and owned channel brands. DirecTV Go launched in Argentina, Chile, and Colombia in 2018, expanded to Ecuador, Peru, and Uruguay in 2019, and reached Mexico and Brazil in 2020. It was renamed DGO in October 2022. In Brazil, the service adopted the Sky+ name in December 2023. Vrio also operates or manages channel brands such as DSports, OnDirecTV, and DNews, extending its role from television distributor to regional media operator.
- 2021
Grupo Werthein completes the acquisition
[1]Grupo Werthein completes its purchase of Vrio from AT&T.
- 2020
Venezuelan operations cease
[1]The company stops operating in Venezuela amid sanctions and local carriage obligations.
- 2018
Vrio IPO is announced and withdrawn
[1]AT&T announces an IPO for Vrio Corp. but cancels the offering before trading begins.
- 2015
AT&T acquires DirecTV
[1]DirecTV becomes part of AT&T, including its Latin American operations.
- 2005
Grupo Cisneros sells its stake
[1]Grupo Cisneros sells its 14 percent interest to The DirecTV Group.
- 2000
The business adopts the DirecTV Latin America name
[1]Galaxy Latin America LLC is renamed DirecTV Latin America LLC.
- 1994
Galaxy Latin America is established
[1]Hughes Electronics and Grupo Cisneros create a joint venture to distribute DirecTV services across Latin America.
Products and positioning
A regional pay-TV and media platform combining satellite television, exclusive sports and entertainment channels, acquired or produced programming, and streaming access.
Satellite television · 1994
DirecTV Latin America
The core regional pay-television business, distributing linear channels and related programming through DirecTV operations in Latin American markets. Its history includes satellite delivery, premium programming, sports rights, and market-specific commercial offerings.
Sports television
DSports
A group of sports channels available primarily to DirecTV subscribers. Programming focuses on association football, basketball, cycling, combat sports, and other live or studio-based sports coverage.
Entertainment television
OnDirecTV
An entertainment channel serving DirecTV subscribers with series, films, documentaries, music events, and beauty-pageant programming.
News television · 2022
DNews
A news channel launched in 2022. Its schedule includes newscasts and journalistic programs produced with or informed by international organizations and outlets such as Deutsche Welle, the BBC, AFP, Reuters, and Europa Press.
Streaming service · 2018
DGO
The successor to DirecTV Go, DGO provides live linear channels and video-on-demand content through an over-the-top service. It launched in selected markets in 2018 and expanded to additional Latin American countries. Satellite subscribers receive access as part of their service in relevant markets.
Streaming service · 2023
Sky+
The Brazilian name adopted by the company's DGO streaming service in December 2023, combining live channels with on-demand video.
Brand decisions
2023
Adopt Sky+ branding in BrazilGeneration changeBackground
The streaming service operated under the DGO identity in Brazil after the earlier DirecTV Go rebrand.
Action taken
DGO was rebranded as Sky+ in Brazil on December 6, 2023.
Aftermath
The Brazilian service aligned its identity with the Sky brand used in that market.
2022
Rebrand DirecTV Go as DGOGeneration changeBackground
The company was extending its subscription television model into over-the-top distribution.
Action taken
DirecTV Go was renamed DGO on October 11, 2022.
Aftermath
The service continued as a live-channel and video-on-demand platform under a shorter regional brand.
2021
Sell Vrio to Grupo WertheinM&ABackground
AT&T decided to divest its Latin American pay-TV assets while retaining specified broadband and Sky México interests.
Action taken
AT&T announced the transaction in July 2021 and completed it on November 16, 2021.
Aftermath
Vrio became part of Grupo Werthein's media portfolio and later Waiken ILW.
2018
Withdraw the proposed Vrio initial public offeringStrategyBackground
AT&T planned to separate its Latin American DirecTV assets into a publicly traded company under the Vrio name.
Action taken
The IPO was cancelled on April 19, 2018, shortly before the planned start of trading.
Aftermath
Vrio continued as an operating and branding structure within AT&T rather than becoming a listed company.
Recent events
Grupo Werthein agrees to acquire Vrio’s Latin American digital entertainment business[2]
Reported:
Argentina-based Grupo Werthein reached an agreement to acquire AT&T’s Vrio digital entertainment services business in Latin America. The transaction excludes Vrio’s broadband operations in Colombia and AT&T’s interest in Sky Mexico.
AT&T sells Vrio's Latin American business to Grupo Werthein[3]
Reported:
AT&T sold 100% of Vrio Corp.'s business in Latin America to Grupo Werthein. The reported transaction excluded Vrio's broadband operations in Colombia and AT&T's interest in Sky Mexico.
Sources3 sources
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