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“DIRECTV History”

History of DIRECTV

Written by: Rick Taylor - Mar 11, 2010

Headquartered in El Segundo, California, DIRECTV is the leading digital satellite service provider in the United States and provides HD Satellite TV service to over 17 million subsribers. The following is a rough summary of its impressive history:

Before 1984, satellites could carry only one communication channel per each transponder which limited satellites to a maximum of 24-32 communication channels per satellite - not enough bandwidth to support a commercially viable broadcasting system that could compete with established cable TV companies.

By 1984, Hughes had developed very high power satellites that could use digital compression (MPEG 2) standards that, for the first time, allowed multiple digital television channels to be sent through each individual satellite frequency. Hughes was approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to use their newly-developed technology to construct a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) network.

In 1990, Hughes Electronics launched its DBS network, founded DIRECTV, and landed over one million satellite TV subscribers by the end of that year.

A DIRECTV/USSB partnership was formed in 1991, as DIRECTV's parent company, Hughes Electronics partnered with United States Satellite Broadcasting (USSB). USSB agreed to purchase 5 transponders aboard the future DIRECTV DBS-1 satellite to broadcast premium movie and pay per view offerings.

In 1993, a Hughes satellite was launched at the 101 degree west satellite location. This DBS-1, a high powered commercial satellite, carried a payload of 16 circularly polarized DBS Ku band transponders, each broadcasting at 120 watts per transponder. The new DIRECTV system quickly became one of the hottest-selling consumer electronics products of the year in 1994.

In the fall of 1994, a second DIRECTV satellite, DBS-2, was launched. This satellite enabled expansion of DIRECTV's programming to nearly 150 channels. In comparison, cable vision systems at that time offered an average of only 30 analog channels.

In the summer of 1994, DIRECTV introduced digital direct to home satellite service that was delivered via a small 18" satellite dish and set top receiver and offered two satellite services: (1) DIRECTV's delivery of most of the cable vision favorite channels and network feeds, and (2) USSB's delivery of premium services such as movie channels, such as HBO and Showtime, as well as pay-per-view sports.

By 1998, DIRECTV had over 4 million subscribers and purchased its partner, USSB, for over $1.3 billion. The acquisition provided DIRECTV customers with access to USSB's premier movie broadcasting and increased channel selection from 185 to 210. In July, DIRECTV invested $250 million in XM satellite radio.

In 1999, DIRECTV acquired Primestar, Inc. and its 2.3 million subscribers. As part of the deal, DIRECTV secured Primestar's satellite assets (11 transponders and two satellites) which added high-powered DBS frequencies to provide full coverage of the continental United States. In addition to the Primestar acquisition, DIRECTV launched a new satellite of its own, DIRECTV-1R on October 10, 1999.

In 2003, DIRECTV introduced a new high-definition video recorder jointly engineered by DIRECTV and Tivo as well as a second-generation set top box model through a partnership with Philips.

On November 11, 2003, DIRECTV added its 12 millionth subscriber.

DIRECTV currently has over 17 million subscribers and remains the top United States consumer satellite provider as it continues to expand its offerings through high-definition and entertainment packages such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET and TOTAL CHOICE® Mobile programming.

For 15 years, DIRECTV has been Americas #1 Satellite TV service, with over 18 million households enjoying it everyday.

DIRECTV offers the TV experience you deserve.

DIRECTV has been America's #1 satellite TV service for 15 years.

If you have not experienced your favorite movies, shows and sports in HD, you have not seen anything yet.

You can even enjoy the hottest on-demand movies in 1080p, the same stunning resolution as Blu-ray Disc, offering the best HD picture quality available today.

DIRECTV is your exclusive ticket to all 64 NCAA games of the Big Dance.

Only DIRECTV can deliver every NFL game, every Sunday or all 64 games of the NCAA Tournament or every NASCAR race from a multitude of angles.

See the best Vietnamese entertainment and news coverage, including SBTN, the first 24-hour Vietnamese programming network originated in America.

With DIRECTV premium programming, you have access to 31 premium movie channels from from HBO, SHOWTIME, Starz and Cinemax.

DIRECTV promises to deliver a crystal-clear picture, so you can enjoy your favorite shows, movies and sports without interruption.

From cricket to baseball, football to soccer, national and international, professional and college, you can see it all on DIRECTV.

Pick from two Chinese packages for Mandarin speakers which are Jadeworldâ„¢ and MandarinDirect II.

Whatever you are in the mood to see, you will find it on Cinemax. Get three channels, two in HD, of the best action, romance, comedy or foreign films.

You may think you are paying less with Dish Network or cable, but in a matter of months, your costs could more than double.

Only DIRECTV gives you an enhanced viewing experience with extended coverage and stats at the press of a button on your remote.

Get a special group of popular channels available only in HD featuring classic movies, specialty programs and more.

See the rage of UFC world class kings of the cage like Georges St-Pierre, Chuck Liddell and others.

Experience the force, fury and finishing moves of WWE superstars and up-and-coming contenders.

If you want to get the most from your flatscreen, DIRECTV has most full-time HD channels now and will soon be able deliver over 200 HD channels.

Get your sports fix with over 35 DIRECTV sports channels including regional sports networks, international sports, seasonal sports, college sports and more.

DIRECTV equipment includes a DIRECTV dish or satellite dish, DIRECTV receivers and remote controls.

This gives you good control over your viewing. TiVo is extremely popular with subscribers.

Search and record is a DIRECTV receiver feature that allows you to quickly find your desired programming to record it.

DIRECTV receivers and DVRs are Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound capable.

Easily find DIRECTV or off-air channels on one guide. Search the channel guide up to 14 days in advance for what to watch or record.

Effortlessly record your favorite shows with a single button touch or on a momentâ€™s notice. Also access favorite scenes in recordings instantly.

Take control of your TV with DIRECTV Plus HD DVR features.

Answer the phone or raid the fridge, and pause your TV for up to 90 minutes â€” then pick up just where you left off. Plus rewind and fast-forward in a snap.

Get a DIRECTV dish. The dish is actually a parabolic reflector that captures a satellite TV signal and focuses it on the feed horn that sticks out in front of the dish. The feed horn amplifies and filters the signal and sends it to the receiver.

DIRECTV DVRs let you record a program while you watch another program, and even record two programs while watching one of your recorded programs.

DIRECTV plans to offer access to local channels in HD in more than 88% of U.S. homes.

Access to DIRECTV High-Definition gives you the best sports, movies, family and special events with your paid subscription.

If you want the best TV experience possible, you will get it on DIRECTV!

CABLE IN connects the RG-6 cable from your cable TV provider (if you have one) to your DIRECT HDTV DVR.

The DIRECTV SATELLITE IN RG-6 cable from the satellite dish connects to this jack.

With DIRECTV HDTV, you get a variety of HD programming, including ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HBO HD, SHOWTIME HD and more including HD shows from the major networks with off-air antenna.

Imagine viewing your HD programs with up to 10 times the amount of pixels seen on ordinary TV - you'll believe you're a part of the action when you view it on a DIRECTV HDTV DVR receiver.

Digital and high-definition programming are not equal - HDTV provides much clearer picture and color.

Take advantage of DIRECTV interactive features like DIRECTV Active, get weather information, lottery results and horoscopes onscreen.

With a DIRECTV DVR, you can pause live TV for up to 30 minutes, rewind, use instant replay, watch programming in slow motion, and fast-forward through all recorded shows.

DIRECTV HD picture quality will blow you away, especially the HDTV channels to the point that you have to see it to believe the incredibly high resolution picture.

If you are a big pro football fan, subscribe to the DIRECTV NFL Sunday Ticket that offers unrivaled pro football programming.

As compared to the consistent high quality picture delivered by DIRECTV satellite HDTV, cable TV consistency in viewing quality is marginal because the varying condition of the coaxial cable and miles of wire that must remain connected, dry and amplified before reaching the customer is variable per customer and location.

DIRECTV service pricing remains consistent without the continuous rate hikes that cable TV operators are prone to imposing on their captive subscribers.

DIRECTV provides more programming options for the dollar than cable TV.

If cable is not available or your local area, or if your local reception is poor, or you if you just want to view more great channels like CNN, ESPN, A&E, etc., DIRECTV will make you happy.

Most cable systems do not have the channel capacity to compete with the huge selection of sports on DIRECTV.

DIRECTV carries many foreign language, religious, and other niche channels that are not available from cable providers.

Many movies on DIRECTV are already being broadcast in wide screen format while cable is still primarily standard format.

Studies have shown that on average, DIRECTV costs the consumer approximately 20% less than cable TV.

If your property manager or landlord does not allow placing a satellite dish on the roof, you may request to install the DIRECTV dish on your balcony, patio, or other suitable location.

DIRECTV has the NBA League Pass and NHL Center Ice packages. Dish Network does not offer nearly the number of the sports packages that DIRECTV offers.

DIRECTV offers certain sports channels that other services cannot offer. These exclusive sports channels such as NFL Sunday Ticket are the best value on the market for serious sports fans!

Unlike Dish Network, DIRECTV offers all local stations that come in digital quality with top of the line sound and picture quality. DIRECTV also provides local channels to cities that are out of the Dish Network range such as Baton Rouge, LA; Lafayette, LA; Corpus Christi, TX; Wilmington, NC; and Springfield, MA.

The DIRECTV HR22 145 to 240 is amazing. It features 2 composite stereo analog outputs, 1 digital audio output, and 1 HDMI output. The 145 to 240 also has 2 composite video outputs, 1 HDMI output, 1 component video, and 1 S-video out output. You can search for your favorite shows by keywords or titles with this DVR.

The DIRECTV HR20 100 to 165 unit can record up to 100 hours of HD programs. It can also record up to 700 hours of SD programs. The 100 to 165 unit features 2 composite stereo analog outputs, 1 digital audio output, and 1 HDMI audio output.

You can also access to manage your DIRECTV account via the DIRECTV website at www.directv.com. Commercial customers must call 1-800-DIRECTV to review options for account logins.

Everybody Loves DIRECTV, sometimes spelled incorrectly as DIRECT TV or DIRECTTV, which is the number one used satellite TV service in America with over 16 million members and still growing rapidly.

Save Money with DIRECTV! If you are looking to save money and avoid any up-front fees, DIRECTV is the service for you!

DIRECTV offers exclusive channels that concerts, select shows, and specials.

With access to over 130 high definition channels and the most live sports events broadcast in HD than any other provider, you will not be disappointed with DIRECTV programming.

DIRECTV offers local channels in HDTV (High Definition TV).

The DIRECTV Plus HD DVR can be viewed in HD or SD so if you do not have a HD television yet but you are planning on getting one, you can still order this receiver. HD for this receiver is in MPEG-2 and 4.

DIRECTV HD holds the interest of viewers due to the enhanced viewing experience and keeps advertisers on board along with the viewers.

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