Here are the biggest players in the field who are seeking to offset rising costs for the shows and sports that they pipe to viewers, potentially through a merger, acquisition or takeover. Internet subscribers: 22 million Internet subscribers: 12.6 million U-verse customers; with slower DSL and other connections, 16.1 million Internet subscribers: 11.7 million Internet subscribers: 6.7 million FiOS customers; with slower DSL connections, 9.2 million Internet subscribers: 4.8 million Internet subscribers: 4.5 million