Direct TV History
Direct TV, which is owned by DirecTV Group, is a direct broadcast satellite service that delivers digital broadcasting
of television, sports, movies, and music to households in the United States and Latin America. Based out of El Segundo,
California, DirecTV was founded in 1994 and currently has a subscription base of over 15 million households and generates
over $3.15 billion dollars annually.
The DirecTV Timeline
| 1981: |
Satellite Broadcasting is founded by Stanley Hubbard. Hubbard approached General Motors and RCA Consumer Electronics to develop a satellite service capable of delivering over 150 channels to an 18-inch dish. An agreement is made for the two to develop satellite television that would carry DirecTV and USSB (US Satellite Broadcasting) services. |
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| 1994: |
The launch of DirecTV and USSB commences, ushering in a new era of entertainment technology. DirecTV gains a modest market share of 320,00 subscriptions in its inaugural year. |
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| 1995: |
DirecTV authorizes Toshiba and Uniden to begin the manufacturing of DBS systems. Thanks to strong advertising with a committed $170 million budget, subscriptions grow to 1,200,000. |
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| 1996: |
Subscriptions grow to 2,300,000. |
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| 1997: |
Subscriptions grow to 3,300,000. |
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| 1998: |
DirecTV successfully acquires USSB for $1.3 billion in stock and cash, increasing DirecTV's channels lineup from 185 to 210. Subscriptions grow to 4,458,000. |
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| 1999: |
DirecTV successfully acquires PrimeStar for $1.83 billion, obtaining Primestars subscriber base of over 2.3 million households. Subscriptions see a sharp increase to 6,679,000. |
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| 2000: |
After much turmoil and unsuccessful marketing attempts, DirecTV pulls out of the Japanese market. Subscriptions continue their strong growth to 9,954,000. |
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| 2001: |
DirecTV announces it's intention to merge with Echostar, the parent company of their main satellite competitor Dish Network. Subscriptions see smallest growth in over 5 years to 10,218,000. |
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| 2002: |
DirecTV is named #1 in customer service by JD Powers & Associates. Subscriptions grow to 11,181,000. |
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| 2003: |
The attempted merger with Dish Network (Echostar) falls through. For the second year in a row, DirecTV is named #1 in customer service by JD Power & Associates. Despite the #1 ranking, subscription growth slows to 12,290,000. |
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| 2004: |
DirecTV pulls out of the Mexican market after an unsuccessful run. Subscription growth continues to be slower than projections to 13,000,000. |
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| 2005: |
DirecTV drops Music Choice audio channels and replaces them with 73 channels of XM Satellite Radio. Thanks to some intelligent programming choices and more high definition offerings, DirecTV sees subscriptions take another large jump over 15,000,000. |
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