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Wikipedia

DirecTV

February 05, 2023

DirecTV (trademarked as DIRECTV) is an American multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo, California. Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital satellite service serving the United States. It also provides traditional linear television service delivered by IP through its U-verse TV brand and a Virtual MVPD service through its DirecTV Stream brand.[2] Its primary competitors are Dish Network, traditional cable television providers, IP-based television services, and other over-the-top video services.

DirecTV, LLC
FormerlyThe DirecTV Group, Inc. (2004–2015)
TypeJoint venture
IndustryMultichannel video programming distributor
PredecessorHughes Electronics
FoundedJune 17, 1994; 28 years ago (1994-06-17) (as DirecTV)[1]
Headquarters
El Segundo, California
,
US
Areas served
United States, Latin America and the Caribbean
Productsmultichannel linear pay television
Owners
SubsidiariesU-verse TV
DirecTV Stream
Websitewww.directv.com
4K Reverse Band Slimline 3 DirecTV satellite dish with a multi-satellite LNB

On July 24, 2015, after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice, AT&T acquired DirecTV in a transaction valued at $67.1 billion.[3][4]

As of the end of Q1 2021, AT&T had 15.9 million pay-TV customers, including DirecTV, U-Verse, and DirecTV Stream subscribers.[5]

On February 25, 2021, AT&T announced that it would spin-off DirecTV, U-Verse TV, and DirecTV Stream into a separate entity, selling a 30% stake to TPG Inc., while retaining a 70% stake in the new standalone company. The deal closed on August 2, 2021.[6][7]

History

Hughes Electronics

Year Subscribers
1994 320,000
1995 1,200,000
1996 2,300,000
1997 3,301,000
1998 4,458,000
1999 6,679,000
2000 9,554,000
2001 10,218,000
2002 11,181,000
2003 12,290,000
2004 13,000,000
2005 15,000,000
2006 15,950,000
2007 16,830,000
2008 17,620,000
2009 18,081,000
2010 19,200,000
2012 19,900,000
2014 20,265,000

In 1953, Howard Hughes created the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), to which he transferred full ownership of Hughes Aircraft. Ostensibly created as a non-profit medical research foundation, HHMI was accused of being used by Hughes as a tax shelter.[8] Following Hughes' death in 1976, HHMI was incorporated in 1977, and litigation ensued to determine whether it would be allowed to maintain its interest in Hughes Aircraft.[9] In 1984, the court appointed a new board for HHMI, which proceeded to sell off Hughes Aircraft to General Motors on December 20, 1985, for an estimated $5.1 billion.[10] General Motors then merged Hughes Aircraft with its subsidiary Delco Electronics to create Hughes Electronics Corporation.[11] The new subsidiary was initially composed of four units: Delco Electronics Company, Hughes Aircraft Company, Hughes Space and Communications Company, and Hughes Network Systems.[citation needed]

 
Hughes Electronics logo (1985–1990)

Stanley E. Hubbard founded United States Satellite Broadcasting (USSB) in 1981[12] and was a leading proponent for the development of direct-broadcast satellite service in the United States.[13] USSB was awarded five frequencies by the FCC, at the coveted 101-degree west satellite location.[citation needed] Hughes Communications, Inc. was also awarded 27 frequencies at the same 101-degree location.[citation needed] After many years, the technology was developed to enable the building of very high-power satellites, and digital compression (MPEG-2) standards were developed that allowed multiple digital television channels to be sent through each satellite frequency.[citation needed]

Hughes and other companies believed in the early 1990s that technology would soon make digital satellite television affordable.[14] Hughes attempted to create a joint venture with NBC, News Corp., and Cablevision in 1990, to launch the first high-power digital television service called Sky Cable.[15] Failing to do so, the company instead created DirecTV as a separate division and secured an agreement with USSB to build and launch the first high-power direct-broadcast satellite system.[citation needed] DirecTV's name is a portmanteau of "direct" and "TV" (as in direct broadcast satellite television).[citation needed] Hughes/DirecTV then turned to Thomson Consumer Electronics (under the RCA, GE, and ProScan brands) to develop the digital satellite system for the service that would be capable of receiving 175 channels on a small 18-inch dish.[16] These dishes utilized a new generation of smaller, lighter receiver dishes based on military technology introduced by the Global Broadcast System, which predated DirecTV's viability by almost ten years.[citation needed] Hughes was awarded the contract to build and launch the new high-powered satellites, and USSB and DirecTV agreed that the new satellites would carry the two separate programming services: USSB and DirecTV.[citation needed]

The USSB and DirecTV programming services were launched on June 17, 1994.[citation needed] Digital Equipment Corporation provided the hardware for DirecTV, Matrixx Marketing (part of Cincinnati Bell) provided customer care via the Matrixx Plus department, and DBS Systems created the billing software.[citation needed] In December 1998, DirecTV acquired USSB for $1.3 billion, and combined the two satellite services.[17] In 1999, DirecTV acquired PrimeStar, a competitor in the satellite television industry, for $1.83 billion, dramatically increasing its share of the satellite television market in the US.[18]

 
DirecTV logo used from 1993 to 2004

In September 1996, Hughes purchased 70% of PanAmSat for $3 billion.[19] In 1997, GM spun off Delco Electronics from Hughes and transferred it to Delphi Automotive Systems.[20] That same year, Hughes Aircraft was sold to Raytheon for $9.5 billion.[21] Raytheon filed a lawsuit in 1999 accusing Hughes of overstating the value of Hughes Aircraft by $1 billion.[22] A $635.5-million settlement was reached in 2001.[23] In 2000, Hughes Space and Communications was sold to Boeing for $3.75 billion,[24] which it later claimed had also been overvalued by Hughes. Hughes later settled with Boeing for $360 million.[25] These sales left DirecTV, PanAmSat and Hughes Network Systems as the remaining components of Hughes Electronics. On November 11, 1997, DirecTV is signing a two-year deal with Action Adventure Network, a consortium founded by Telescene, Richmel Productions and Goodman/Rosen Productions to offer original series and telefilms for pay-per-view viewing, for $2.99 with the intent to expand.[26]

Direct satellite broadcasters were mandated in 1992 to set aside 4% of its channel space for noncommercial educational and informational programming. DirecTV selected C-SPAN, EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network from its current channel lineup plus request additional proposals from other programmers. DirecTV had given PBS Kids, PBS's original application, carriage that did not count against the set aside six weeks before the deadline. DirecTV selected an additional six channels; Clara+Vision, Inspirational Life, NASA TV, PBS YOU, StarNet and WorldLink TV, for the mandate.[27]

In 2000, DirecTV introduced the first live in-flight television service for airlines; the system was first used by JetBlue and defunct startup carrier Legend Airlines.[28]

In September 2000, GM executives, under pressure from GM's shareholders as a result of its poor performance and the substantially greater market worth of Hughes, authorized Hughes executives to begin seeking buyers.[29] In 2001, News Corporation began negotiations to acquire Hughes Electronics in a deal worth $8 billion, which would allow News Corp. to expand its Sky Global Networks satellite television operations into the United States.[30] Negotiations with News Corp. ultimately failed, and Hughes entered into an agreement on October 28, 2001, to be purchased for $26 billion by EchoStar, owner of Dish Network.[31] However, the deal attracted significant opposition from the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission for antitrust concerns, leading the two companies to withdraw the agreement in December 2002.[32] As part of the merger agreement, EchoStar was required to pay Hughes $600 million for the failure of the merger.[32]

On April 9, 2003, News Corporation, the then-parent company of 20th Century Fox (now known as 20th Century Studios) and Fox Television Studios agreed to purchase a 34% controlling interest in Hughes, including GM's entire share of the company, for $6.6 billion, subject to SEC approval.[33] As part of the financing for the deal, Liberty Media, the then-parent company of Starz agreed to take a $500-million option of stock in News Corporation that would be exercised upon the closing of the deal. Liberty, the second-largest shareholder in News Corp. after the Murdoch family with 18%, had originally planned to bid for DirecTV, but opted not to upon the agreement.[33] The FCC voted 3–2 along party lines on December 19, 2003, to approve the deal subject to conditions, forcing News Corp. to agree to arbitration for all disputes with carriers of its media broadcasters, and to provide content through DirecTV neutrally rather than favoring its own networks.[34]

Becoming a standalone entity

 
DirecTV logo 2004 to 2011. The "D" symbol was used in some capacity from 1994 to 2016.

In February 2004, Hughes announced its intent to focus solely on its satellite television operations and divest its other interests, renaming itself The DirecTV Group, Inc. on March 16, 2004, and changing its ticker symbol from "HS" to "DTV".[35] In April of that year, it sold its controlling interest in PanAmSat to a private consortium led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for $3.53 billion.[36] On April 22, 2005, DirecTV spun off Hughes Network Systems into a separate entity and sold 50% of the new entity to SkyTerra, acquiring $157.4 million in the transaction.[37] In January 2006, DirecTV sold its remaining 50% share in Hughes Network Systems to SkyTerra for $100 million.[38] The sale effectively ended DirecTV's 20-year existence through Hughes Electronics as a technology conglomerate, leaving it solely with its satellite television services.

In 2004, DirecTV abandoned the Mexican market, though it maintained 41% ownership of SKY México.[39] On November 15, 2005, DirecTV stopped carrying Music Choice audio-only channels, replacing it with 73 channels of XM Satellite Radio. In 2007, DirecTV abandoned the Brazilian market, with the customers being migrated to the 74% DirecTV-owned Brazilian affiliate of SKY Brasil.[39] In 2010, DirecTV increased its stake in Sky Brasil to 93%.

On November 1, 2005, DirecTV made its foray with its first original series, CD US, on Freeview.[40]

Expansion

On January 9, 2007, DirecTV announced they would introduce up to 100 national HD channels during 2007, all of which would be MPEG-4 encoded.[41] On October 3, 2008, DirecTV announced that it would offer HD local channels in 121 markets by the end of the year.[42]

 
Headquarters in California in 2013

In December 2006, News Corporation announced its intention to transfer its 38.5% controlling interest in The DirecTV Group, four regional Fox Sports Net stations and $550 million cash to Liberty Media in exchange for Liberty's 19% interest in News Corp., giving the Murdoch family tighter control of the latter firm.[43] The deal, valued at $11 billion, was approved by News Corp. shareholders in April 2007.[44] Following revisions that increased the cash offer to $625 million in exchange for a reduction of Liberty's divested interest in News Corp. to 16%, the swap was completed on February 27, 2008, following Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval.[45] One condition placed by the FCC on the deal was that Liberty divest either its DirecTV operations or Liberty Global's cable operations in Puerto Rico, which Liberty fulfilled by placing DirecTV's Puerto Rican operations in a trust.[46]

On May 4, 2009, Liberty announced that it would split off Liberty Entertainment, Inc., a subsidiary of Liberty owning the four FSN channels acquired under the swap with News Corp. and Liberty's 65% interest in Game Show Network, into a separate company to be merged with The DirecTV Group, reducing Liberty owner John Malone's stake in DirecTV to 24%.[47] The merger was completed on November 19, 2009, with The DirecTV Group and Liberty Entertainment becoming subsidiaries of a new company named DirecTV.[48] On June 16, 2010, Malone exchanged his preferred stock in DirecTV with equivalent amounts of common stock, reducing his voting interest in the company from 24% to 3%, with Malone resigning as chairman and ending his managerial role at DirecTV.[49]

On February 9, 2010, DirecTV dropped Sirius XM Radio and replaced the channel lineup with Sonic Tap audio stations.[50] On April 1, 2011, DirecTV announced it would be renaming its three FSN channels as Root Sports, though the channels are still affiliated with FSN.[51]

Acquisitions

  • On December 13, 2007, DirecTV purchased most of the assets of ReplayTV from D&M Holdings.[52]
  • In June 2013, DirecTV purchased Pennsylvania-based LifeShield, a maker of wireless home security systems, with plans to market the systems to its customers.[53]

Subsidiary of AT&T (2015–2021)

 
DirecTV transitional logo following purchase by AT&T from July 24, until December 31, 2015
 
Logo used from January 1, 2016 to August 1, 2021
 
Logo used in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2016

On May 18, 2014, AT&T announced that it would purchase DirecTV.[54][55] In the deal, which had been approved by boards of both companies, DirecTV stockholders received $95 a share in cash and stock, valuing the deal at $48.5 billion. Including assumed debt, the total purchase price was about $67.1 billion. The deal was aimed at increasing AT&T's market share in the pay-TV sector; its existing U-verse brand had modest market share (5.7 million users compared to DirecTV's 20 million US customers as of 2014) and operates in only 22 states. It also gave AT&T access to fast-growing Latin American markets, where DirecTV has 18 million subscribers.

The deal faced regulatory approval by the FCC, the U.S. Department of Justice, and some Latin American governments. It was expected to take about 12 months to complete.[56] The deal was also contingent on the combined company's ability to renew its exclusive rights to carry the NFL Sunday Ticket service beyond the 2015 NFL season on "substantially the terms discussed between the parties."[57]

The acquisition was officially approved by the FCC on July 24, 2015; it is subject to conditions for four years, requiring AT&T to expand its fiber-optic broadband service to additional customers, public libraries, and schools, and to "refrain from imposing discriminatory usage-based allowances or other discriminatory retail terms and conditions on its broadband internet service".[58][59]

At an analyst meeting in August 2015, AT&T announced plans to converge DirecTV and its IPTV-based U-verse service around a common "home entertainment gateway" platform based upon DirecTV hardware, with "very thin hardware profiles". AT&T Entertainment and Internet Services CEO John Stankey explained that the new platform would offer "single truck roll installation for multiple products, live local streaming, improved content portability, over-the-top integration for mobile broadband, and user interface re-engineering. All of these are steps that are planned to deliver that premium effortless entertainment experience anywhere."[60][61][62]

In September 2015, AT&T selected Ericsson to be hardware provider for the new platform, and hired former Sirius XM, Cisco Systems and Microsoft executive VP Enrique Rodriguez to be vice president and CTO of the AT&T Entertainment and Internet Services division.[63][64]

On December 2, 2015, AT&T announced plans to phase out the DirecTV brand as part of the introduction of the new platform, which will be marketed as AT&T Entertainment. The company also adopted a new logo, replacing its previous emblem with that of AT&T.[65][66][67]

In February 2016, Bloomberg reported that AT&T was in the process of phasing out the U-verse IPTV service by encouraging new customers to purchase DirecTV satellite service instead, and by ending the production of new set-top boxes for the service. An AT&T spokesperson denied that U-verse was being shut down, and explained that the company was "leading its video marketing approach with DirecTV" to "realize the many benefits" of the purchase, but would still recommend U-verse TV if it better-suited a customer's needs. AT&T CFO John Stephens had also previously stated that DirecTV's larger subscriber base as a national service gave the service a higher degree of leverage in negotiating carriage deals, thus resulting in lower content costs.[68][69][70]

On October 20, 2016, it was reported that AT&T was in talks to acquire Time Warner, in an effort to increase its media holdings.[71][72][73] On October 22, 2016, AT&T reached a deal to buy Time Warner for over $80 billion. The merger was approved by federal regulators, bringing DirecTV under the same umbrella as HBO, Cinemax, Turner Broadcasting System, Warner Bros., and Telepictures.[74][75] The acquisition was completed on June 14, 2018, and Time Warner was delisted from the stock market; the following day, Time Warner became WarnerMedia.

On July 13, 2017, it was reported that AT&T would introduce a cloud-based DVR streaming service as part of its effort to create a unified platform across DirecTV and its DirecTV Now streaming service, with U-verse to be added soon.[76][77][78]

On September 12, 2017, it was reported that AT&T is planning to launch a brand new cable TV-like service for delivery over-the-top over its own or a competitor's broadband network sometime next year.[79][needs update]

Because of the merger with Time Warner, AT&T planned to sell DirecTV Pan-American and Sky Brasil for about US$8.0 billion, while keeping their share in Sky Mexico, but it fell through.[80] The second attempt happened in 2021.[81][82]

On February 10, 2018, Sonic Tap was replaced by Music Choice which was originally on the service until November 15, 2005.

During July 30, 2019's earnings call, AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson said DirecTV will continue to operate even after the launch of AT&T TV saying, "We continue investing to enhance our satellite experience, and that brand remains unchanged today,"[83][84]

On March 4, 2020, AT&T announced its intent to perform major cost-cutting moves, including cuts to capital investment, and plans to promote AT&T TV (which officially launched nationally on March 2) as its primary pay television service offering. AT&T will still promote DirecTV "where cable broadband is not prevalent", and as a specialty option.[85] Also, the sale of the divisions and subsidiaries, except Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment,[86] including DirecTV, AT&T U-verse, AT&T TV, Xandr, and Crunchyroll were proposed. The other subsidiaries are still receiving bids as of September 1, 2020.

On July 30, 2019, DirecTV Now customers received notices saying the name of that service had been changed to AT&T TV Now.[87]

DirecTV Stream

Main article: DirecTV Stream

On March 1, 2016, AT&T announced plans for several DirecTV-branded over-the-top services, including AT&T TV—a contract-free over-the-top internet television service, DirecTV Mobile—a service which will offer "premium video and made for digital content" for phones, and DirecTV Preview, an ad-supported service featuring content from Audience Network, Otter Media, and other partners.[88][89][90]

DirecTV Now launched on November 30, 2016, and is directly competing against Sling TV. AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson stated of the service that "there is a huge customer base out there that we are convinced, while they don't subscribe to a bundle of premium content today, at the right price point [delivered] over-the-top, they will."[91][92]

Satellites

Main article: DirecTV satellite fleet

As of February 2020, DirecTV manages a fleet of 12 satellites in geostationary orbit at positions ranging from 95°W to 119°W, ensuring strong coverage of the North American continent.

Receivers

 
DirecTV "Genie" HR54-700 HD DVR
 
DirecTV D11-100 Standard Definition Receiver with the RC67L remote

In the past, receivers were manufactured by DirecTV and other companies, including Samsung Electronics, Philips, Sony Electronics, Panasonic, Mitsubishi Electronics, and Toshiba. Other companies DirecTV receivers have been phased out and DirecTV now designs their own models with companies such as Pace Micro Technology of Britain, LG of South Korea (which had manufactured boxes under the LG and Zenith Electronics names), and Thomson of France (which had previously manufactured boxes under the RCA name, GE (under license), and the ProScan brand). DirecTV and TiVo announced on September 3, 2008, that they will work together to develop a version of the TiVo service for DirecTV's broadband-enabled HD DVR platform.[93] Originally scheduled to launch in the second half of 2009, it was expected to be available in spring 2010 but delayed again.[94] It was finally released on December 6, 2011.[95] The new unit, model THR22, is now available in select markets.[96][97] The THR22 DVR does not have all the features of the HR24 DVRs.[98]

DirecTV typically uses a fixed 18-inch-diameter (46 cm) dish antenna to receive its signals. Traditionally an 18×24-inch (46x61 cm) elliptical was used; however, most new installations use an 18×20-inch (46x51 cm) antenna to receive signals from three geostationary satellite positions simultaneously. These systems are becoming more common as DirecTV attempts to squeeze more programming onto its growing systems. DTV is now installing a dish that has five LNBs for HDTV programming and local channels in selected markets. These systems receive signals from up to five separate satellites in both the Ku band and Ka band. After the new satellite, DirecTV 11, is fully operational, DirecTV will stop supplying dual, triple, and five-LNB dishes to all customers and move to supplying a three-LNB Ka/Ku dish known as the Slimline3. This dish will see orbital locations 99, 101, and 103 degrees West. The Slimline3 will be the new standard install dish (for HD and SD programming), while the five-LNB Slimline will be used for installs in areas that receive local or international programming from orbital locations 110 or 119. The Slimline3 looks nearly identical to its predecessor, aside from a smaller LNB.

The new DirecTV HD channels require an H20/HR20 or H21/HR21/HR22/HR23/H24/HR24 set top box (STB). In order to receive the new HD channels (channels added after September 2007), all HD receivers except the HR23 must have a B-Band converter installed. If the converter is not installed, viewers can only receive older HD channels (channels 70–99). The B-Band Converter (BBC) is also not required with the new Single Wire Multiswitch (SWM or SWiM) system, which preselects the satellite and transponder tuning and can feed up to 8 tuners via a single coaxial cable. The "HR" moniker designates the receiver as an HD digital video recorder (DVR) model.

Only the H20/HR20 support direct reception of over-the-air ATSC broadcasts. The H21/HR21/HR22/HR23/H24/HR24 receivers do not have a built-in ATSC tuner, but the AM21 external tuner is available. In addition, there is HDMI support for HDTVs with an HDMI port. New STBs also support MPEG-4 standard for HD *Programming. DirecTV also offers the AM21 (an ATSC add-on for the HR21), the HR21-Pro (an HD-DVR with 100 hours HD or 400 hours SD recording capacity), and an online DVR scheduler.

  • DirecTV Receiver is a common standard-definition model. D12 was the last one produced, as this type of receiver is being slowly phased out, according to DirecTV's February 28, 2008 Investors Info.
  • DirecTV HD Receiver (H10/H20/H21/H23/H24/H25) is a receiver which can receive an HD signal and broadcast in 1080i resolution. H25 is the latest version. After a 2009 software upgrade, the H2n series is capable of receiving 1080p resolution. The H2n series is also the only series capable of operating with the Whole-Home DVR.
  • DirecTV Plus DVR (R15/R16/R22) is a standard receiver with a built-in digital video recorder. It contains a 160 GB (new models as of 2010 have a 360 GB) hard disk using the IDE 40-pin connection and can store up to 100 hours of programming. R16-300 is the last of these line of receivers; they are being slowly phased out, according to DirecTV's February 28, 2008 Investors Info. The R22 is a "watered down" HR21 as it can receive MPEG4 and has all the features of the HD DVR, including HD output. However, the unit is locked to output standard definition only. In 2010 the R22 is unlocked to output HD output.
  • DirecTV Plus HD-DVR (HR20/HR21/HR22/HR23/HR24), the most advanced everyday-consumer receiver in the lineup, is capable of full 1080p high definition and combines both high-definition and DVR capabilities in one unit. It contains a 320 GB hard drive (500 GB on the HR22, HR23, and HR24) using the SATA interface connection. The DirecTV Plus HD DVR also features Media Share, allowing users to view photos and listen to music stored on their computer (with compatible DLNA server software) on their TV, and Whole-Home DVR Service which allows them to watch any recorded program on any HD or HD-DVR receiver in the house. The HR24 is the latest, with the HR23 being its predecessor. The HR24 like the HR21, HR22, and HR23, lacks an ATSC tuner as the HR20s had, but does support the AM21 external tuner for over-the-air channels. The HR24 can be expanded to 2TB drive on the eSATA port for up to 480 hours of HD and 1,750 hours of SD recording.
  • DirecTV Pro HD-DVR (HR21-Pro), the most advanced home theater receiver with HD and DVR in one unit, has a larger capacity hard drive, better cooling and is rack mountable. The DirecTV Pro HD DVR also features Media Share, allowing users to enjoy photos and music stored on their Intel Viiv processor technology-based PC on their TVs. HR24 is the latest (May 2010). Guide scrolling and channel surfing is much faster than previous models.
  • The DirecTV "Genie" Home Media Center HD DVR (HR-34) the successor to the HR-24 features the ability to record 5 shows at once, allows for Picture in Picture, and has 1 TB of hard drive space allowing for 200 hours of high-definition recording or 800 hours of standard-definition recording. A second-generation Genie, the HR44, is now available and the HR34 has been discontinued. A new generation Genie, the HR54, has been released.[99]
  • The DirecTV H44 "Genie Lite" was released to the public in July 2015. As delivered, it provides the Genie experience including controlling client boxes and standalone television. With the addition of a specific, DIRECTV-branded hard drive it converts into a five-tuner DVR.[100]
  • DirecTV Sat-Go ("Satellite-To-Go") is the world's first portable satellite TV system, conceived by producer Rick Rosner.[101] It combines a receiver, antenna and TV all in one easy-to-carry unit. It was discontinued in 2010.
  • DirecTV DVR with TiVo Service (THR22) uses the same technology as the HR22 but has a TiVo user interface. The interface is currently the older SD one. This DVR does connect to the Internet, but only for TiVo program guide information. Currently, the THR22 cannot download program content via broadband.[98]

Access card history

DirecTV transmits programming with encryption to mitigate signal piracy. The receiver (also known as an IRD, or "integrated receiver-decoder") utilizes ISO/IEC 7816 smart cards which tell the receiver how to decrypt the programming for viewing. In a continuing effort to combat piracy, an access card generation is created approximately every two years, superseding the old set. DirecTV is now utilizing the fifth generation of access cards.

  • P1, also known as F cards, were used until 1997. F cards have a picture of a satellite and the DSS logo on the front.
  • P2, also known as H cards, were introduced in 1996 and eventually replaced F cards. H cards look the same as F cards. H cards were in use until 2002.
  • P3, also known as HU cards, were introduced in 1999 and were used until April 2004. HU cards have a picture of a football player, a basketball, a clapperboard, and a film canister on the front. HU cards originally shipped with receivers with serial numbers above 0001 700 000. These were removed from circulation because piracy plagued the system.
  • P4 cards were introduced in 2002 and are currently still in use. P4 cards are labeled "Access Card: 4."
  • D1 cards were introduced in 2004 following compatibility problems with the P4 cards in some receivers. These cards can be identified by the silver edges, and simply bear the word "DirecTV" on the front (no number).
  • D2/P12 cards were introduced in 2005. D2 cards can be identified by a two-toned blue dot pattern resembling the DirecTV logo in addition to the DirecTV logo and the words "DirecTV Access Card," while the P12 card has a picture of a satellite on the front. The P12 card is the only card that will work with R15, H20, and HR20 series receivers.
  • O cards are the current "standard issue" card. They can be identified with the words "Now part of the AT&T family."

DirecTV has battled with an active signal piracy underground for many years. One infamous event that temporarily hampered pirates was known as 'Black Sunday', which took place one week before Super Bowl Sunday in 2001. Hackers saw a string of software updates starting in late 2000 that seemed harmless but included code that, once compiled, searched for and destroyed 98% of hacked smart cards. Hacks continued after that event.[102][103][104]

High-definition television (HDTV)

 
DirecTV AU9-S 3-LNB "Slimline" satellite dish
 
DirecTV AT-9 5-LNB "Sidecar" satellite dish
 
DirecTV WNC SF6 Gray HD 2-LNB "Round" satellite dish, used only in Latin America and the Caribbean

Like its competitors, DirecTV offers high-definition television (HDTV) and interactive services.

To handle the proliferation of bandwidth-intensive HDTV broadcasting, DirecTV rebroadcasts local HDTV stations using the H.264/MPEG-4 AVC codec while employing a newer transmission protocol (DVB-S2) over the newer satellites. This allows DirecTV to squeeze much more HD programming over its satellite signal than was previously feasible using the older MPEG-2 compression and DSS protocol it has been using. This technology will be gradually expanded to the existing satellites as customer equipment is replaced with new MPEG-4-capable receivers.

Receiving channels encoded in MPEG-4 requires newer receivers, such as the H20 as well as the 5-LNB Ka/Ku dish. DirecTV has contracted with Britain's Pace Micro Technology, Korea's LG Electronics and France's Thomson to manufacture these new receivers. Pace manufactures the DirecTV Plus HD DVR (Model HR20-700, and HR21-700) and LG Electronics offers the Model H20-600 receiver, while Thomson provides the Model H20-100 and HR20-100 DVR receivers. DirecTV has admitted to software issues with some of the H20 receivers and HR20 DVRs, which have been plagued with random problems since they were released in mid-2006. DirecTV regularly released software updates for the HR20 receivers, in an effort to reduce issues to an acceptable level.

DirecTV has phased out its original TiVo-branded HD DVR, the HR10-250, which can only decode the older MPEG-2 signals. All DirecTV-delivered local HDTV stations (outside of the NYC and LA network stations) are encoded in MPEG-4. The HR10-250 cannot receive the MPEG-4 local HDTV stations in these markets but can still receive over-the-air ATSC broadcasts in these markets. After a multi-year hiatus, TiVo and DirecTV are developing a new TiVo-enabled HD DVR that will be able to receive/decode DirecTV's current MPEG-4 satellite signals. Originally slated for release in the second half of 2009, it is now available in select markets.[96][97]

4K television

In November 2014, DirecTV became the first television provider to begin offering 4K ultra-high definition content. On launch, 4K content was limited to renting a small library of on-demand films, downloaded to the subscriber's Genie DVR (some 4K content can also be pre-loaded automatically to the set-top box via the Genie Recommends feature). The 4K service could also only be used on "DirecTV 4K Ready" televisions, which support RVU protocol; this was limited to selected Samsung 4K televisions released in 2014.[105]

In 2015, DirecTV introduced 4K Genie Mini set-top boxes, which can be connected to any HDMI 2.0/HDCP 2.2-compliant devices to provide 4K video.[106]

In April 2016, DirecTV began live sports broadcasts in 4K to eligible subscribers, including coverage from the 2016 Masters Tournament,[107][108] 25 MLB Network Showcase baseball games in the 2016 season (subject to local blackout restrictions) beginning April 15, 2016,[109] and all Notre Dame college football home games during the 2016 season.[110]

Local channels

DirecTV offers local channels like CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, MyNetworkTV, The CW, Telemundo, Univision, UniMás, and independent stations in markets covering over 99.2% of U.S. TV households.[111] In markets that lack an OTA CW affiliate, DirecTV offers The CW Plus or KTLA from Los Angeles (both only in standard definition). Because DirecTV does not carry local digital subchannels, broadcast networks such as MeTV and Heroes & Icons are not available on DirecTV in most markets.

Subscribers located in areas that cannot receive an adequate terrestrial television signal and/or who live in a small market that only has a couple of stations can receive feeds from New York and Los Angeles for CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox, as well as a feed from the CW Plus, though a waiver from the local affiliate stations may be required to allow this, approved at their discretion. National PBS (through the PBS Satellite Service) and Ion Television channels are also available.

In the largest markets, local channels are carried on the satellite at 101°W. In some smaller markets, the local channels are carried on a second satellite located at 119°W which requires a slightly larger dish with two or three LNBs or the newer Ka/Ku 5-LNB dish. In a few smaller markets, local stations are located on a satellite at 72.5°W that requires a second dish to be installed.

In late 2005, DirecTV began providing local HDTV channels to the largest markets, requiring newer receivers with a larger dish capable of receiving signals from up to five satellites at once. The Ku-band signals on the newer Ka/Ku dish are received from 101°W, 110°W, and 119°W, while Ka-band signals are from 99°W and 103°W.

Local television channels are transmitted over optical fiber links, Ku-band satellite uplink, microwave, and conventional terrestrial transmission to uplink centers located throughout the United States.

 
JetBlue promotes DirecTV on board Airbus A320 N510JB "Out of the Blue."
 
DirecTV on board a jetBlue plane

Programming

See also: Audience (TV network)

DirecTV's exclusive general entertainment channel Audience Network had dozens of original and acquired programs. The channel ceased operations in 2020. Separately, DirecTV had its own exclusive 3DTV channel called n3D that launched in 2010 and shut down in 2012.

DirecTV serves American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, and United Airlines.

DirecTV owned regional sports networks AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, AT&T SportsNet Southwest, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain, and Root Sports Northwest (all under the umbrella of AT&T Sports Networks). It also owned minority shares of Game Show Network and MLB Network. DirecTV is also the exclusive U.S. rights holder to the NFL Sunday Ticket sports package, which ended after the 2022 NFL season. It also exclusively carries the "DirecTV Experience", which includes bonus coverage of men's major golf tournaments and Grand Slam tennis tournaments, including live feeds not available on other networks such as CBS (formerly), NBC, ESPN, Golf Channel and Tennis Channel that cover the events. DirecTV was also the exclusive provider of defunct sports packages NASCAR Hot Pass and Mega March Madness.

DirecTV offers movie and special event programming through the DirecTV Cinema service; originally a pay-per-view service (with programs purchased either over the phone, or via remote if a phone line was connected to the DirecTV receiver), advances in technology have enabled DirecTV to expand into a true video on demand service; access to this service requires an internet connection.

Beginning in 2021, DirecTV became an exclusive provider of ESPN+ for Business to business customers, such as bars, restaurants and casinos, which carries limited live sporting events that are otherwise streamed on a consumer account. That package is sold by Joe Hand Promotions.[112] On August 23, 2022, Amazon and DirecTV entered into a multi-year carriage agreement to broadcast Thursday Night Football only to business customers at no extra cost.[113] The licensing terms for the streaming providers such as ESPN+ and Amazon Prime Video prohibit commercial use on television displays in commercial establishments where the business makes money, so DirecTV and Joe Hand have been the solution for commercial establishments with the satellite signal and commercial license agreement.

Marketing

Beginning in 2006, DirecTV began a series of commercials in which characters from popular movies and television shows break the fourth wall to tout the service's picture quality and the number of channels available in high definition. Instead of using CGI, the original actors normally reprise their roles on recreated sets, and resulting footage is mixed with the original scenes. The productions are recent and appeal to DirecTV's "male-oriented marketing message."[114] These characters include Captain Kirk (William Shatner, Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country), Bill Harding (Bill Paxton, Twister), The Economics Teacher (Ben Stein, Ferris Bueller's Day Off), Dr. Emmett Brown (Christopher Lloyd, Back to the Future), Burton Guster (Dulé Hill, Psych), C.J. Parker (Pamela Anderson, Baywatch), Rick "Wild Thing" Vaughn (Charlie Sheen, Major League), Beyoncé (Upgrade U music video), Nadia (Shannon Elizabeth, American Pie), Turtle (Jerry Ferrara, Entourage), Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver, Aliens), Steve Freeling (Craig T. Nelson, Poltergeist), Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates, Misery), Mini-Me (Verne Troyer, Austin Powers in Goldmember), The Girl in the Ferrari (Christie Brinkley, National Lampoon's Vacation), Daisy Duke (Jessica Simpson, The Dukes of Hazzard), T-1000 (Robert Patrick, Terminator 2: Judgment Day), Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts, King Kong), Hellboy (Ron Perlman, Hellboy), Richard Hayden (David Spade, Tommy Boy), The Black Eyed Peas ("Meet Me Halfway" music video), Christina Aguilera ("Keeps Gettin' Better" music video) and Honey Hornee (Kim Basinger, Wayne's World 2). Also in this series of commercials were Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, and Archie Manning promoting NFL Sunday Ticket, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. promoting NASCAR Hot Pass. Cartoon characters have also been used in the ads, beginning with Scooby-Doo and the Mystery, Inc. gang. Recent commercials have also featured model Hannah Davis and a "talking" horse.

DirecTV during that time also ran series of ads that take shots at cable television's service (or lack of service). Beginning in March 2010, they did a spoof of the classic game show To Tell The Truth with Alex Trebek hosting the show. The series of commercials both pays homage to the Goodson-Todman game show, and take shots at both cable and DirecTV's archrival Dish Network, who later sued for false advertising. Another series of commercials, promoting the 2010 NFL Sunday Ticket package of all-football programming, featured neighbors committing uncivil acts to neighbors who watched the "wrong" football team. One spot had a woman leaving a snack platter for a neighbor on which the food spelled out "DIRT BAG"; another showed a dog trashing a neighbor's property; yet another showed an on-duty policeman knocking on a DirecTV customer's door, stunning him with a taser and leaving him passed out in his open doorway. In August 2011, Deion Sanders began appearing in DirecTV's ads for NFL Sunday Ticket, urging people to switch from cable. These ads originally claimed NFL Sunday Ticket is now "free" for new customers for one year with a subscription to their Premiere package and a two-year contract. In response, on August 4, 2011, Comcast sued DirecTV for false advertising.[115] Comcast dropped the case on August 19, 2011, after DirecTV altered the ads to remove the word "free", changing it to "at no extra charge".[116]

DirecTV blimp

 
DirecTV blimp flying over West Las Vegas during the Consumer Electronics Show 2015

The DirecTV blimp named "lefty" was launched in October 2007 at the MLB World Series in Boston and has been seen all over the United States since its inception. The blimp flies mainly over live sporting events but has also been seen at other entertainment and charitable venues. This second generation A-170LS Video Lightsign Lightship features the state of the art video screen that displays full-color video images day or night. This lightsign, the only one of its kind in the world, is used to display messaging and advertising for DirecTV. The blimp has been recently spotted on Twitter as followers track the journeys of the blimp from one event to another. The airship is owned and operated by The Lightship Group, an advertising company based in Orlando, Florida.[117]

Customer service

 
DirecTV service van in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. DirecTV equipment is installed and maintained by private contractors such as Multiband, as shown here. In most areas of the United States, installation, upgrades, and service are performed by DirecTV Home Services, a division of DirecTV corporate.

DirecTV was awarded a J.D. Power award for residential cable and satellite TV customer satisfaction in 2007.[118]

DirecTV's customer service is provided by many third-party owned call centers both inside and outside the United States. Most of the call centers are contracted to provide agents to answer customer phone calls regarding programming, billing, or technical questions.

As of November 2012, DirecTV does not offer a 30-day grace period for those who wish to try the service. "If you do not fulfill your Programming Agreements, DirecTV may charge a pro-rated fee of up to $480."[119]

Better Business Bureau review

In August 2008, The Boston Globe reported that DirecTV received 20,000 complaints in less than three years to the Better Business Bureau on DirecTV slipping in cancellation fees.[120]

In August 2010, the BBB reported that it had received 39,000 complaints against DirecTV in the previous three years, and the BBB gave it an F (failing) grade. Many of the complaints concerned DirecTV's early termination fees, billing and service issues.[121]

Consumer protection lawsuits and violations

Washington State Attorney General civil complaint

On December 14, 2009, the Washington Attorney General's office filed a civil complaint against DirecTV seeking injunctive and other relief. The complaint was filed in the public interest when the Attorney General's office determined after a one-year investigation by its consumer protection division, that the company allegedly engaged in numerous repeated violations of the state's Consumer Protection Act.

The complaint alleged unfair or deceptive practices which include, but are not limited to:

  • Unclear disclosures concerning rebate terms and conditions
  • Unclear and/or unfair advertising for use of the term "free";
  • Automatically extending contracts when customers require equipment repairs, upgrade equipment or move;
  • Failing to disclose financial terms and conditions that the company's least expensive package of $29.99 per month is only available to customers who meet certain financing conditions and agree to have the costs automatically charged or debited.
  • The suit also alleged that some cancellation fees assessed by the company were considered to be unfair, and
  • That the company unfairly retained consumer deposits made to obtain services. Those who cancel service prior to the end of their contract lose part of the deposit and may also be charged cancellation fees.

The Attorney General's Office asked the court to compel DirecTV to change its business practices, impose civil penalties and provide restitution for consumers.

The case brought by Washington state was settled in December 2010, with DirecTV agreeing to pay over $1 million, and to correct many of its business practices.[122] DirecTV subsequently settled a similar suit with the other 49 states and the District of Columbia for $13.25 million.[123][124]

California class action lawsuit

In September 2008, consumers filed a class action lawsuit with the Los Angeles Superior Court to stop DirecTV's practice of charging early cancellation penalties to subscribers. The lawsuit claims that DirecTV fails to disclose the penalty to new customers or to existing customers who replace their equipment or add a new receiver and that these practices are unlawful. In September 2009, a motion for a preliminary injunction was filed to block the company from automatically removing the fees from customers’ bank accounts or charging their credit card accounts without their prior knowledge and written consent until the lawsuit is resolved.[125]

Telemarketing violations

In December 2005, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission imposed a $5.3 million penalty on DirecTV for its violations of federal telemarketing regulations. It was the largest civil penalty the FTC had ever announced in a case enforcing any consumer protection law.[126]

Deceptive advertising

On March 11, 2015, the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against DirecTV for deceptive advertising. The FTC claims the following:

  • DirecTV failed to properly disclose important terms of its TV packages.
  • DirecTV typically advertised 12-month deals without noting that:
    • A two-year contract is required,
    • Package prices rise substantially during the second year, and
    • Early cancellation fees may be imposed.
  • DirecTV failed to mention that offers of free premium channels, such as HBO, would result in charges if the channels were not canceled before the free period ended.[127]

International operations

See also

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External links

  • Official website
  • AT&T's DIRECTV website

February 05, 2023
directv, trademarked, directv, american, multichannel, video, programming, distributor, based, segundo, california, originally, launched, june, 1994, primary, service, digital, satellite, service, serving, united, states, also, provides, traditional, linear, t. DirecTV trademarked as DIRECTV is an American multichannel video programming distributor based in El Segundo California Originally launched on June 17 1994 its primary service is a digital satellite service serving the United States It also provides traditional linear television service delivered by IP through its U verse TV brand and a Virtual MVPD service through its DirecTV Stream brand 2 Its primary competitors are Dish Network traditional cable television providers IP based television services and other over the top video services DirecTV LLCFormerlyThe DirecTV Group Inc 2004 2015 TypeJoint ventureIndustryMultichannel video programming distributorPredecessorHughes ElectronicsFoundedJune 17 1994 28 years ago 1994 06 17 as DirecTV 1 HeadquartersEl Segundo California USAreas servedUnited States Latin America and the CaribbeanProductsmultichannel linear pay televisionOwnersAT amp T 70 TPG Inc 30 SubsidiariesU verse TVDirecTV StreamWebsitewww wbr directv wbr com4K Reverse Band Slimline 3 DirecTV satellite dish with a multi satellite LNB On July 24 2015 after receiving approval from the Federal Communications Commission and the Department of Justice AT amp T acquired DirecTV in a transaction valued at 67 1 billion 3 4 As of the end of Q1 2021 AT amp T had 15 9 million pay TV customers including DirecTV U Verse and DirecTV Stream subscribers 5 On February 25 2021 AT amp T announced that it would spin off DirecTV U Verse TV and DirecTV Stream into a separate entity selling a 30 stake to TPG Inc while retaining a 70 stake in the new standalone company The deal closed on August 2 2021 6 7 Contents 1 History 1 1 Hughes Electronics 1 2 Becoming a standalone entity 1 3 Expansion 1 3 1 Acquisitions 1 4 Subsidiary of AT amp T 2015 2021 1 5 DirecTV Stream 2 Satellites 3 Receivers 4 Access card history 5 High definition television HDTV 6 4K television 7 Local channels 8 Programming 9 Marketing 9 1 DirecTV blimp 10 Customer service 10 1 Better Business Bureau review 11 Consumer protection lawsuits and violations 11 1 Washington State Attorney General civil complaint 11 2 California class action lawsuit 11 3 Telemarketing violations 11 4 Deceptive advertising 12 International operations 13 See also 14 References 15 External linksHistory EditHughes Electronics Edit Year Subscribers1994 320 0001995 1 200 0001996 2 300 0001997 3 301 0001998 4 458 0001999 6 679 0002000 9 554 0002001 10 218 0002002 11 181 0002003 12 290 0002004 13 000 0002005 15 000 0002006 15 950 0002007 16 830 0002008 17 620 0002009 18 081 0002010 19 200 0002012 19 900 0002014 20 265 000In 1953 Howard Hughes created the Howard Hughes Medical Institute HHMI to which he transferred full ownership of Hughes Aircraft Ostensibly created as a non profit medical research foundation HHMI was accused of being used by Hughes as a tax shelter 8 Following Hughes death in 1976 HHMI was incorporated in 1977 and litigation ensued to determine whether it would be allowed to maintain its interest in Hughes Aircraft 9 In 1984 the court appointed a new board for HHMI which proceeded to sell off Hughes Aircraft to General Motors on December 20 1985 for an estimated 5 1 billion 10 General Motors then merged Hughes Aircraft with its subsidiary Delco Electronics to create Hughes Electronics Corporation 11 The new subsidiary was initially composed of four units Delco Electronics Company Hughes Aircraft Company Hughes Space and Communications Company and Hughes Network Systems citation needed Hughes Electronics logo 1985 1990 Stanley E Hubbard founded United States Satellite Broadcasting USSB in 1981 12 and was a leading proponent for the development of direct broadcast satellite service in the United States 13 USSB was awarded five frequencies by the FCC at the coveted 101 degree west satellite location citation needed Hughes Communications Inc was also awarded 27 frequencies at the same 101 degree location citation needed After many years the technology was developed to enable the building of very high power satellites and digital compression MPEG 2 standards were developed that allowed multiple digital television channels to be sent through each satellite frequency citation needed Hughes and other companies believed in the early 1990s that technology would soon make digital satellite television affordable 14 Hughes attempted to create a joint venture with NBC News Corp and Cablevision in 1990 to launch the first high power digital television service called Sky Cable 15 Failing to do so the company instead created DirecTV as a separate division and secured an agreement with USSB to build and launch the first high power direct broadcast satellite system citation needed DirecTV s name is a portmanteau of direct and TV as in direct broadcast satellite television citation needed Hughes DirecTV then turned to Thomson Consumer Electronics under the RCA GE and ProScan brands to develop the digital satellite system for the service that would be capable of receiving 175 channels on a small 18 inch dish 16 These dishes utilized a new generation of smaller lighter receiver dishes based on military technology introduced by the Global Broadcast System which predated DirecTV s viability by almost ten years citation needed Hughes was awarded the contract to build and launch the new high powered satellites and USSB and DirecTV agreed that the new satellites would carry the two separate programming services USSB and DirecTV citation needed The USSB and DirecTV programming services were launched on June 17 1994 citation needed Digital Equipment Corporation provided the hardware for DirecTV Matrixx Marketing part of Cincinnati Bell provided customer care via the Matrixx Plus department and DBS Systems created the billing software citation needed In December 1998 DirecTV acquired USSB for 1 3 billion and combined the two satellite services 17 In 1999 DirecTV acquired PrimeStar a competitor in the satellite television industry for 1 83 billion dramatically increasing its share of the satellite television market in the US 18 DirecTV logo used from 1993 to 2004 In September 1996 Hughes purchased 70 of PanAmSat for 3 billion 19 In 1997 GM spun off Delco Electronics from Hughes and transferred it to Delphi Automotive Systems 20 That same year Hughes Aircraft was sold to Raytheon for 9 5 billion 21 Raytheon filed a lawsuit in 1999 accusing Hughes of overstating the value of Hughes Aircraft by 1 billion 22 A 635 5 million settlement was reached in 2001 23 In 2000 Hughes Space and Communications was sold to Boeing for 3 75 billion 24 which it later claimed had also been overvalued by Hughes Hughes later settled with Boeing for 360 million 25 These sales left DirecTV PanAmSat and Hughes Network Systems as the remaining components of Hughes Electronics On November 11 1997 DirecTV is signing a two year deal with Action Adventure Network a consortium founded by Telescene Richmel Productions and Goodman Rosen Productions to offer original series and telefilms for pay per view viewing for 2 99 with the intent to expand 26 Direct satellite broadcasters were mandated in 1992 to set aside 4 of its channel space for noncommercial educational and informational programming DirecTV selected C SPAN EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network from its current channel lineup plus request additional proposals from other programmers DirecTV had given PBS Kids PBS s original application carriage that did not count against the set aside six weeks before the deadline DirecTV selected an additional six channels Clara Vision Inspirational Life NASA TV PBS YOU StarNet and WorldLink TV for the mandate 27 In 2000 DirecTV introduced the first live in flight television service for airlines the system was first used by JetBlue and defunct startup carrier Legend Airlines 28 In September 2000 GM executives under pressure from GM s shareholders as a result of its poor performance and the substantially greater market worth of Hughes authorized Hughes executives to begin seeking buyers 29 In 2001 News Corporation began negotiations to acquire Hughes Electronics in a deal worth 8 billion which would allow News Corp to expand its Sky Global Networks satellite television operations into the United States 30 Negotiations with News Corp ultimately failed and Hughes entered into an agreement on October 28 2001 to be purchased for 26 billion by EchoStar owner of Dish Network 31 However the deal attracted significant opposition from the Department of Justice and the Federal Communications Commission for antitrust concerns leading the two companies to withdraw the agreement in December 2002 32 As part of the merger agreement EchoStar was required to pay Hughes 600 million for the failure of the merger 32 On April 9 2003 News Corporation the then parent company of 20th Century Fox now known as 20th Century Studios and Fox Television Studios agreed to purchase a 34 controlling interest in Hughes including GM s entire share of the company for 6 6 billion subject to SEC approval 33 As part of the financing for the deal Liberty Media the then parent company of Starz agreed to take a 500 million option of stock in News Corporation that would be exercised upon the closing of the deal Liberty the second largest shareholder in News Corp after the Murdoch family with 18 had originally planned to bid for DirecTV but opted not to upon the agreement 33 The FCC voted 3 2 along party lines on December 19 2003 to approve the deal subject to conditions forcing News Corp to agree to arbitration for all disputes with carriers of its media broadcasters and to provide content through DirecTV neutrally rather than favoring its own networks 34 Becoming a standalone entity Edit DirecTV logo 2004 to 2011 The D symbol was used in some capacity from 1994 to 2016 In February 2004 Hughes announced its intent to focus solely on its satellite television operations and divest its other interests renaming itself The DirecTV Group Inc on March 16 2004 and changing its ticker symbol from HS to DTV 35 In April of that year it sold its controlling interest in PanAmSat to a private consortium led by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts for 3 53 billion 36 On April 22 2005 DirecTV spun off Hughes Network Systems into a separate entity and sold 50 of the new entity to SkyTerra acquiring 157 4 million in the transaction 37 In January 2006 DirecTV sold its remaining 50 share in Hughes Network Systems to SkyTerra for 100 million 38 The sale effectively ended DirecTV s 20 year existence through Hughes Electronics as a technology conglomerate leaving it solely with its satellite television services In 2004 DirecTV abandoned the Mexican market though it maintained 41 ownership of SKY Mexico 39 On November 15 2005 DirecTV stopped carrying Music Choice audio only channels replacing it with 73 channels of XM Satellite Radio In 2007 DirecTV abandoned the Brazilian market with the customers being migrated to the 74 DirecTV owned Brazilian affiliate of SKY Brasil 39 In 2010 DirecTV increased its stake in Sky Brasil to 93 On November 1 2005 DirecTV made its foray with its first original series CD US on Freeview 40 Expansion Edit On January 9 2007 DirecTV announced they would introduce up to 100 national HD channels during 2007 all of which would be MPEG 4 encoded 41 On October 3 2008 DirecTV announced that it would offer HD local channels in 121 markets by the end of the year 42 Headquarters in California in 2013 In December 2006 News Corporation announced its intention to transfer its 38 5 controlling interest in The DirecTV Group four regional Fox Sports Net stations and 550 million cash to Liberty Media in exchange for Liberty s 19 interest in News Corp giving the Murdoch family tighter control of the latter firm 43 The deal valued at 11 billion was approved by News Corp shareholders in April 2007 44 Following revisions that increased the cash offer to 625 million in exchange for a reduction of Liberty s divested interest in News Corp to 16 the swap was completed on February 27 2008 following Federal Communications Commission FCC approval 45 One condition placed by the FCC on the deal was that Liberty divest either its DirecTV operations or Liberty Global s cable operations in Puerto Rico which Liberty fulfilled by placing DirecTV s Puerto Rican operations in a trust 46 On May 4 2009 Liberty announced that it would split off Liberty Entertainment Inc a subsidiary of Liberty owning the four FSN channels acquired under the swap with News Corp and Liberty s 65 interest in Game Show Network into a separate company to be merged with The DirecTV Group reducing Liberty owner John Malone s stake in DirecTV to 24 47 The merger was completed on November 19 2009 with The DirecTV Group and Liberty Entertainment becoming subsidiaries of a new company named DirecTV 48 On June 16 2010 Malone exchanged his preferred stock in DirecTV with equivalent amounts of common stock reducing his voting interest in the company from 24 to 3 with Malone resigning as chairman and ending his managerial role at DirecTV 49 On February 9 2010 DirecTV dropped Sirius XM Radio and replaced the channel lineup with Sonic Tap audio stations 50 On April 1 2011 DirecTV announced it would be renaming its three FSN channels as Root Sports though the channels are still affiliated with FSN 51 Acquisitions Edit On December 13 2007 DirecTV purchased most of the assets of ReplayTV from D amp M Holdings 52 In June 2013 DirecTV purchased Pennsylvania based LifeShield a maker of wireless home security systems with plans to market the systems to its customers 53 Subsidiary of AT amp T 2015 2021 Edit DirecTV transitional logo following purchase by AT amp T from July 24 until December 31 2015 Logo used from January 1 2016 to August 1 2021 Logo used in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2016 On May 18 2014 AT amp T announced that it would purchase DirecTV 54 55 In the deal which had been approved by boards of both companies DirecTV stockholders received 95 a share in cash and stock valuing the deal at 48 5 billion Including assumed debt the total purchase price was about 67 1 billion The deal was aimed at increasing AT amp T s market share in the pay TV sector its existing U verse brand had modest market share 5 7 million users compared to DirecTV s 20 million US customers as of 2014 and operates in only 22 states It also gave AT amp T access to fast growing Latin American markets where DirecTV has 18 million subscribers The deal faced regulatory approval by the FCC the U S Department of Justice and some Latin American governments It was expected to take about 12 months to complete 56 The deal was also contingent on the combined company s ability to renew its exclusive rights to carry the NFL Sunday Ticket service beyond the 2015 NFL season on substantially the terms discussed between the parties 57 The acquisition was officially approved by the FCC on July 24 2015 it is subject to conditions for four years requiring AT amp T to expand its fiber optic broadband service to additional customers public libraries and schools and to refrain from imposing discriminatory usage based allowances or other discriminatory retail terms and conditions on its broadband internet service 58 59 At an analyst meeting in August 2015 AT amp T announced plans to converge DirecTV and its IPTV based U verse service around a common home entertainment gateway platform based upon DirecTV hardware with very thin hardware profiles AT amp T Entertainment and Internet Services CEO John Stankey explained that the new platform would offer single truck roll installation for multiple products live local streaming improved content portability over the top integration for mobile broadband and user interface re engineering All of these are steps that are planned to deliver that premium effortless entertainment experience anywhere 60 61 62 In September 2015 AT amp T selected Ericsson to be hardware provider for the new platform and hired former Sirius XM Cisco Systems and Microsoft executive VP Enrique Rodriguez to be vice president and CTO of the AT amp T Entertainment and Internet Services division 63 64 On December 2 2015 AT amp T announced plans to phase out the DirecTV brand as part of the introduction of the new platform which will be marketed as AT amp T Entertainment The company also adopted a new logo replacing its previous emblem with that of AT amp T 65 66 67 In February 2016 Bloomberg reported that AT amp T was in the process of phasing out the U verse IPTV service by encouraging new customers to purchase DirecTV satellite service instead and by ending the production of new set top boxes for the service An AT amp T spokesperson denied that U verse was being shut down and explained that the company was leading its video marketing approach with DirecTV to realize the many benefits of the purchase but would still recommend U verse TV if it better suited a customer s needs AT amp T CFO John Stephens had also previously stated that DirecTV s larger subscriber base as a national service gave the service a higher degree of leverage in negotiating carriage deals thus resulting in lower content costs 68 69 70 On October 20 2016 it was reported that AT amp T was in talks to acquire Time Warner in an effort to increase its media holdings 71 72 73 On October 22 2016 AT amp T reached a deal to buy Time Warner for over 80 billion The merger was approved by federal regulators bringing DirecTV under the same umbrella as HBO Cinemax Turner Broadcasting System Warner Bros and Telepictures 74 75 The acquisition was completed on June 14 2018 and Time Warner was delisted from the stock market the following day Time Warner became WarnerMedia On July 13 2017 it was reported that AT amp T would introduce a cloud based DVR streaming service as part of its effort to create a unified platform across DirecTV and its DirecTV Now streaming service with U verse to be added soon 76 77 78 On September 12 2017 it was reported that AT amp T is planning to launch a brand new cable TV like service for delivery over the top over its own or a competitor s broadband network sometime next year 79 needs update Because of the merger with Time Warner AT amp T planned to sell DirecTV Pan American and Sky Brasil for about US 8 0 billion while keeping their share in Sky Mexico but it fell through 80 The second attempt happened in 2021 81 82 On February 10 2018 Sonic Tap was replaced by Music Choice which was originally on the service until November 15 2005 During July 30 2019 s earnings call AT amp T CEO Randall Stephenson said DirecTV will continue to operate even after the launch of AT amp T TV saying We continue investing to enhance our satellite experience and that brand remains unchanged today 83 84 On March 4 2020 AT amp T announced its intent to perform major cost cutting moves including cuts to capital investment and plans to promote AT amp T TV which officially launched nationally on March 2 as its primary pay television service offering AT amp T will still promote DirecTV where cable broadband is not prevalent and as a specialty option 85 Also the sale of the divisions and subsidiaries except Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment 86 including DirecTV AT amp T U verse AT amp T TV Xandr and Crunchyroll were proposed The other subsidiaries are still receiving bids as of September 1 2020 update On July 30 2019 DirecTV Now customers received notices saying the name of that service had been changed to AT amp T TV Now 87 DirecTV Stream Edit Main article DirecTV Stream On March 1 2016 AT amp T announced plans for several DirecTV branded over the top services including AT amp T TV a contract free over the top internet television service DirecTV Mobile a service which will offer premium video and made for digital content for phones and DirecTV Preview an ad supported service featuring content from Audience Network Otter Media and other partners 88 89 90 DirecTV Now launched on November 30 2016 and is directly competing against Sling TV AT amp T CEO Randall Stephenson stated of the service that there is a huge customer base out there that we are convinced while they don t subscribe to a bundle of premium content today at the right price point delivered over the top they will 91 92 Satellites EditMain article DirecTV satellite fleet As of February 2020 update DirecTV manages a fleet of 12 satellites in geostationary orbit at positions ranging from 95 W to 119 W ensuring strong coverage of the North American continent Receivers EditThis section contains content that is written like an advertisement Please help improve it by removing promotional content and inappropriate external links and by adding encyclopedic content written from a neutral point of view July 2022 Learn how and when to remove this template message DirecTV Genie HR54 700 HD DVR DirecTV D11 100 Standard Definition Receiver with the RC67L remote In the past receivers were manufactured by DirecTV and other companies including Samsung Electronics Philips Sony Electronics Panasonic Mitsubishi Electronics and Toshiba Other companies DirecTV receivers have been phased out and DirecTV now designs their own models with companies such as Pace Micro Technology of Britain LG of South Korea which had manufactured boxes under the LG and Zenith Electronics names and Thomson of France which had previously manufactured boxes under the RCA name GE under license and the ProScan brand DirecTV and TiVo announced on September 3 2008 that they will work together to develop a version of the TiVo service for DirecTV s broadband enabled HD DVR platform 93 Originally scheduled to launch in the second half of 2009 it was expected to be available in spring 2010 but delayed again 94 It was finally released on December 6 2011 95 The new unit model THR22 is now available in select markets 96 97 The THR22 DVR does not have all the features of the HR24 DVRs 98 DirecTV typically uses a fixed 18 inch diameter 46 cm dish antenna to receive its signals Traditionally an 18 24 inch 46x61 cm elliptical was used however most new installations use an 18 20 inch 46x51 cm antenna to receive signals from three geostationary satellite positions simultaneously These systems are becoming more common as DirecTV attempts to squeeze more programming onto its growing systems DTV is now installing a dish that has five LNBs for HDTV programming and local channels in selected markets These systems receive signals from up to five separate satellites in both the Ku band and Ka band After the new satellite DirecTV 11 is fully operational DirecTV will stop supplying dual triple and five LNB dishes to all customers and move to supplying a three LNB Ka Ku dish known as the Slimline3 This dish will see orbital locations 99 101 and 103 degrees West The Slimline3 will be the new standard install dish for HD and SD programming while the five LNB Slimline will be used for installs in areas that receive local or international programming from orbital locations 110 or 119 The Slimline3 looks nearly identical to its predecessor aside from a smaller LNB The new DirecTV HD channels require an H20 HR20 or H21 HR21 HR22 HR23 H24 HR24 set top box STB In order to receive the new HD channels channels added after September 2007 all HD receivers except the HR23 must have a B Band converter installed If the converter is not installed viewers can only receive older HD channels channels 70 99 The B Band Converter BBC is also not required with the new Single Wire Multiswitch SWM or SWiM system which preselects the satellite and transponder tuning and can feed up to 8 tuners via a single coaxial cable The HR moniker designates the receiver as an HD digital video recorder DVR model Only the H20 HR20 support direct reception of over the air ATSC broadcasts The H21 HR21 HR22 HR23 H24 HR24 receivers do not have a built in ATSC tuner but the AM21 external tuner is available In addition there is HDMI support for HDTVs with an HDMI port New STBs also support MPEG 4 standard for HD Programming DirecTV also offers the AM21 an ATSC add on for the HR21 the HR21 Pro an HD DVR with 100 hours HD or 400 hours SD recording capacity and an online DVR scheduler DirecTV Receiver is a common standard definition model D12 was the last one produced as this type of receiver is being slowly phased out according to DirecTV s February 28 2008 Investors Info DirecTV HD Receiver H10 H20 H21 H23 H24 H25 is a receiver which can receive an HD signal and broadcast in 1080i resolution H25 is the latest version After a 2009 software upgrade the H2n series is capable of receiving 1080p resolution The H2n series is also the only series capable of operating with the Whole Home DVR DirecTV Plus DVR R15 R16 R22 is a standard receiver with a built in digital video recorder It contains a 160 GB new models as of 2010 have a 360 GB hard disk using the IDE 40 pin connection and can store up to 100 hours of programming R16 300 is the last of these line of receivers they are being slowly phased out according to DirecTV s February 28 2008 Investors Info The R22 is a watered down HR21 as it can receive MPEG4 and has all the features of the HD DVR including HD output However the unit is locked to output standard definition only In 2010 the R22 is unlocked to output HD output DirecTV Plus HD DVR HR20 HR21 HR22 HR23 HR24 the most advanced everyday consumer receiver in the lineup is capable of full 1080p high definition and combines both high definition and DVR capabilities in one unit It contains a 320 GB hard drive 500 GB on the HR22 HR23 and HR24 using the SATA interface connection The DirecTV Plus HD DVR also features Media Share allowing users to view photos and listen to music stored on their computer with compatible DLNA server software on their TV and Whole Home DVR Service which allows them to watch any recorded program on any HD or HD DVR receiver in the house The HR24 is the latest with the HR23 being its predecessor The HR24 like the HR21 HR22 and HR23 lacks an ATSC tuner as the HR20s had but does support the AM21 external tuner for over the air channels The HR24 can be expanded to 2TB drive on the eSATA port for up to 480 hours of HD and 1 750 hours of SD recording DirecTV Pro HD DVR HR21 Pro the most advanced home theater receiver with HD and DVR in one unit has a larger capacity hard drive better cooling and is rack mountable The DirecTV Pro HD DVR also features Media Share allowing users to enjoy photos and music stored on their Intel Viiv processor technology based PC on their TVs HR24 is the latest May 2010 Guide scrolling and channel surfing is much faster than previous models The DirecTV Genie Home Media Center HD DVR HR 34 the successor to the HR 24 features the ability to record 5 shows at once allows for Picture in Picture and has 1 TB of hard drive space allowing for 200 hours of high definition recording or 800 hours of standard definition recording A second generation Genie the HR44 is now available and the HR34 has been discontinued A new generation Genie the HR54 has been released 99 The DirecTV H44 Genie Lite was released to the public in July 2015 As delivered it provides the Genie experience including controlling client boxes and standalone television With the addition of a specific DIRECTV branded hard drive it converts into a five tuner DVR 100 DirecTV Sat Go Satellite To Go is the world s first portable satellite TV system conceived by producer Rick Rosner 101 It combines a receiver antenna and TV all in one easy to carry unit It was discontinued in 2010 DirecTV DVR with TiVo Service THR22 uses the same technology as the HR22 but has a TiVo user interface The interface is currently the older SD one This DVR does connect to the Internet but only for TiVo program guide information Currently the THR22 cannot download program content via broadband 98 Access card history EditDirecTV transmits programming with encryption to mitigate signal piracy The receiver also known as an IRD or integrated receiver decoder utilizes ISO IEC 7816 smart cards which tell the receiver how to decrypt the programming for viewing In a continuing effort to combat piracy an access card generation is created approximately every two years superseding the old set DirecTV is now utilizing the fifth generation of access cards P1 also known as F cards were used until 1997 F cards have a picture of a satellite and the DSS logo on the front P2 also known as H cards were introduced in 1996 and eventually replaced F cards H cards look the same as F cards H cards were in use until 2002 P3 also known as HU cards were introduced in 1999 and were used until April 2004 HU cards have a picture of a football player a basketball a clapperboard and a film canister on the front HU cards originally shipped with receivers with serial numbers above 0001 700 000 These were removed from circulation because piracy plagued the system P4 cards were introduced in 2002 and are currently still in use P4 cards are labeled Access Card 4 D1 cards were introduced in 2004 following compatibility problems with the P4 cards in some receivers These cards can be identified by the silver edges and simply bear the word DirecTV on the front no number D2 P12 cards were introduced in 2005 D2 cards can be identified by a two toned blue dot pattern resembling the DirecTV logo in addition to the DirecTV logo and the words DirecTV Access Card while the P12 card has a picture of a satellite on the front The P12 card is the only card that will work with R15 H20 and HR20 series receivers O cards are the current standard issue card They can be identified with the words Now part of the AT amp T family DirecTV has battled with an active signal piracy underground for many years One infamous event that temporarily hampered pirates was known as Black Sunday which took place one week before Super Bowl Sunday in 2001 Hackers saw a string of software updates starting in late 2000 that seemed harmless but included code that once compiled searched for and destroyed 98 of hacked smart cards Hacks continued after that event 102 103 104 High definition television HDTV Edit DirecTV AU9 S 3 LNB Slimline satellite dish DirecTV AT 9 5 LNB Sidecar satellite dish DirecTV WNC SF6 Gray HD 2 LNB Round satellite dish used only in Latin America and the Caribbean Like its competitors DirecTV offers high definition television HDTV and interactive services To handle the proliferation of bandwidth intensive HDTV broadcasting DirecTV rebroadcasts local HDTV stations using the H 264 MPEG 4 AVC codec while employing a newer transmission protocol DVB S2 over the newer satellites This allows DirecTV to squeeze much more HD programming over its satellite signal than was previously feasible using the older MPEG 2 compression and DSS protocol it has been using This technology will be gradually expanded to the existing satellites as customer equipment is replaced with new MPEG 4 capable receivers Receiving channels encoded in MPEG 4 requires newer receivers such as the H20 as well as the 5 LNB Ka Ku dish DirecTV has contracted with Britain s Pace Micro Technology Korea s LG Electronics and France s Thomson to manufacture these new receivers Pace manufactures the DirecTV Plus HD DVR Model HR20 700 and HR21 700 and LG Electronics offers the Model H20 600 receiver while Thomson provides the Model H20 100 and HR20 100 DVR receivers DirecTV has admitted to software issues with some of the H20 receivers and HR20 DVRs which have been plagued with random problems since they were released in mid 2006 DirecTV regularly released software updates for the HR20 receivers in an effort to reduce issues to an acceptable level DirecTV has phased out its original TiVo branded HD DVR the HR10 250 which can only decode the older MPEG 2 signals All DirecTV delivered local HDTV stations outside of the NYC and LA network stations are encoded in MPEG 4 The HR10 250 cannot receive the MPEG 4 local HDTV stations in these markets but can still receive over the air ATSC broadcasts in these markets After a multi year hiatus TiVo and DirecTV are developing a new TiVo enabled HD DVR that will be able to receive decode DirecTV s current MPEG 4 satellite signals Originally slated for release in the second half of 2009 it is now available in select markets 96 97 4K television EditIn November 2014 DirecTV became the first television provider to begin offering 4K ultra high definition content On launch 4K content was limited to renting a small library of on demand films downloaded to the subscriber s Genie DVR some 4K content can also be pre loaded automatically to the set top box via the Genie Recommends feature The 4K service could also only be used on DirecTV 4K Ready televisions which support RVU protocol this was limited to selected Samsung 4K televisions released in 2014 105 In 2015 DirecTV introduced 4K Genie Mini set top boxes which can be connected to any HDMI 2 0 HDCP 2 2 compliant devices to provide 4K video 106 In April 2016 DirecTV began live sports broadcasts in 4K to eligible subscribers including coverage from the 2016 Masters Tournament 107 108 25 MLB Network Showcase baseball games in the 2016 season subject to local blackout restrictions beginning April 15 2016 109 and all Notre Dame college football home games during the 2016 season 110 Local channels EditDirecTV offers local channels like CBS ABC NBC Fox MyNetworkTV The CW Telemundo Univision UniMas and independent stations in markets covering over 99 2 of U S TV households 111 In markets that lack an OTA CW affiliate DirecTV offers The CW Plus or KTLA from Los Angeles both only in standard definition Because DirecTV does not carry local digital subchannels broadcast networks such as MeTV and Heroes amp Icons are not available on DirecTV in most markets Subscribers located in areas that cannot receive an adequate terrestrial television signal and or who live in a small market that only has a couple of stations can receive feeds from New York and Los Angeles for CBS ABC NBC and Fox as well as a feed from the CW Plus though a waiver from the local affiliate stations may be required to allow this approved at their discretion National PBS through the PBS Satellite Service and Ion Television channels are also available In the largest markets local channels are carried on the satellite at 101 W In some smaller markets the local channels are carried on a second satellite located at 119 W which requires a slightly larger dish with two or three LNBs or the newer Ka Ku 5 LNB dish In a few smaller markets local stations are located on a satellite at 72 5 W that requires a second dish to be installed In late 2005 DirecTV began providing local HDTV channels to the largest markets requiring newer receivers with a larger dish capable of receiving signals from up to five satellites at once The Ku band signals on the newer Ka Ku dish are received from 101 W 110 W and 119 W while Ka band signals are from 99 W and 103 W Local television channels are transmitted over optical fiber links Ku band satellite uplink microwave and conventional terrestrial transmission to uplink centers located throughout the United States JetBlue promotes DirecTV on board Airbus A320 N510JB Out of the Blue DirecTV on board a jetBlue planeProgramming EditSee also Audience TV network DirecTV s exclusive general entertainment channel Audience Network had dozens of original and acquired programs The channel ceased operations in 2020 Separately DirecTV had its own exclusive 3DTV channel called n3D that launched in 2010 and shut down in 2012 DirecTV serves American Airlines Delta Air Lines JetBlue and United Airlines DirecTV owned regional sports networks AT amp T SportsNet Pittsburgh AT amp T SportsNet Southwest AT amp T SportsNet Rocky Mountain and Root Sports Northwest all under the umbrella of AT amp T Sports Networks It also owned minority shares of Game Show Network and MLB Network DirecTV is also the exclusive U S rights holder to the NFL Sunday Ticket sports package which ended after the 2022 NFL season It also exclusively carries the DirecTV Experience which includes bonus coverage of men s major golf tournaments and Grand Slam tennis tournaments including live feeds not available on other networks such as CBS formerly NBC ESPN Golf Channel and Tennis Channel that cover the events DirecTV was also the exclusive provider of defunct sports packages NASCAR Hot Pass and Mega March Madness DirecTV offers movie and special event programming through the DirecTV Cinema service originally a pay per view service with programs purchased either over the phone or via remote if a phone line was connected to the DirecTV receiver advances in technology have enabled DirecTV to expand into a true video on demand service access to this service requires an internet connection Beginning in 2021 DirecTV became an exclusive provider of ESPN for Business to business customers such as bars restaurants and casinos which carries limited live sporting events that are otherwise streamed on a consumer account That package is sold by Joe Hand Promotions 112 On August 23 2022 Amazon and DirecTV entered into a multi year carriage agreement to broadcast Thursday Night Football only to business customers at no extra cost 113 The licensing terms for the streaming providers such as ESPN and Amazon Prime Video prohibit commercial use on television displays in commercial establishments where the business makes money so DirecTV and Joe Hand have been the solution for commercial establishments with the satellite signal and commercial license agreement Marketing EditBeginning in 2006 DirecTV began a series of commercials in which characters from popular movies and television shows break the fourth wall to tout the service s picture quality and the number of channels available in high definition Instead of using CGI the original actors normally reprise their roles on recreated sets and resulting footage is mixed with the original scenes The productions are recent and appeal to DirecTV s male oriented marketing message 114 These characters include Captain Kirk William Shatner Star Trek VI The Undiscovered Country Bill Harding Bill Paxton Twister The Economics Teacher Ben Stein Ferris Bueller s Day Off Dr Emmett Brown Christopher Lloyd Back to the Future Burton Guster Dule Hill Psych C J Parker Pamela Anderson Baywatch Rick Wild Thing Vaughn Charlie Sheen Major League Beyonce Upgrade U music video Nadia Shannon Elizabeth American Pie Turtle Jerry Ferrara Entourage Ellen Ripley Sigourney Weaver Aliens Steve Freeling Craig T Nelson Poltergeist Annie Wilkes Kathy Bates Misery Mini Me Verne Troyer Austin Powers in Goldmember The Girl in the Ferrari Christie Brinkley National Lampoon s Vacation Daisy Duke Jessica Simpson The Dukes of Hazzard T 1000 Robert Patrick Terminator 2 Judgment Day Ann Darrow Naomi Watts King Kong Hellboy Ron Perlman Hellboy Richard Hayden David Spade Tommy Boy The Black Eyed Peas Meet Me Halfway music video Christina Aguilera Keeps Gettin Better music video and Honey Hornee Kim Basinger Wayne s World 2 Also in this series of commercials were Peyton Manning Eli Manning and Archie Manning promoting NFL Sunday Ticket and Dale Earnhardt Jr promoting NASCAR Hot Pass Cartoon characters have also been used in the ads beginning with Scooby Doo and the Mystery Inc gang Recent commercials have also featured model Hannah Davis and a talking horse DirecTV during that time also ran series of ads that take shots at cable television s service or lack of service Beginning in March 2010 they did a spoof of the classic game show To Tell The Truth with Alex Trebek hosting the show The series of commercials both pays homage to the Goodson Todman game show and take shots at both cable and DirecTV s archrival Dish Network who later sued for false advertising Another series of commercials promoting the 2010 NFL Sunday Ticket package of all football programming featured neighbors committing uncivil acts to neighbors who watched the wrong football team One spot had a woman leaving a snack platter for a neighbor on which the food spelled out DIRT BAG another showed a dog trashing a neighbor s property yet another showed an on duty policeman knocking on a DirecTV customer s door stunning him with a taser and leaving him passed out in his open doorway In August 2011 Deion Sanders began appearing in DirecTV s ads for NFL Sunday Ticket urging people to switch from cable These ads originally claimed NFL Sunday Ticket is now free for new customers for one year with a subscription to their Premiere package and a two year contract In response on August 4 2011 Comcast sued DirecTV for false advertising 115 Comcast dropped the case on August 19 2011 after DirecTV altered the ads to remove the word free changing it to at no extra charge 116 DirecTV blimp Edit DirecTV blimp flying over West Las Vegas during the Consumer Electronics Show 2015 The DirecTV blimp named lefty was launched in October 2007 at the MLB World Series in Boston and has been seen all over the United States since its inception The blimp flies mainly over live sporting events but has also been seen at other entertainment and charitable venues This second generation A 170LS Video Lightsign Lightship features the state of the art video screen that displays full color video images day or night This lightsign the only one of its kind in the world is used to display messaging and advertising for DirecTV The blimp has been recently spotted on Twitter as followers track the journeys of the blimp from one event to another The airship is owned and operated by The Lightship Group an advertising company based in Orlando Florida 117 Customer service Edit DirecTV service van in Ypsilanti Township Michigan DirecTV equipment is installed and maintained by private contractors such as Multiband as shown here In most areas of the United States installation upgrades and service are performed by DirecTV Home Services a division of DirecTV corporate DirecTV was awarded a J D Power award for residential cable and satellite TV customer satisfaction in 2007 118 DirecTV s customer service is provided by many third party owned call centers both inside and outside the United States Most of the call centers are contracted to provide agents to answer customer phone calls regarding programming billing or technical questions As of November 2012 update DirecTV does not offer a 30 day grace period for those who wish to try the service If you do not fulfill your Programming Agreements DirecTV may charge a pro rated fee of up to 480 119 Better Business Bureau review Edit In August 2008 The Boston Globe reported that DirecTV received 20 000 complaints in less than three years to the Better Business Bureau on DirecTV slipping in cancellation fees 120 In August 2010 the BBB reported that it had received 39 000 complaints against DirecTV in the previous three years and the BBB gave it an F failing grade Many of the complaints concerned DirecTV s early termination fees billing and service issues 121 Consumer protection lawsuits and violations EditWashington State Attorney General civil complaint Edit On December 14 2009 the Washington Attorney General s office filed a civil complaint against DirecTV seeking injunctive and other relief The complaint was filed in the public interest when the Attorney General s office determined after a one year investigation by its consumer protection division that the company allegedly engaged in numerous repeated violations of the state s Consumer Protection Act The complaint alleged unfair or deceptive practices which include but are not limited to Unclear disclosures concerning rebate terms and conditions Unclear and or unfair advertising for use of the term free Automatically extending contracts when customers require equipment repairs upgrade equipment or move Failing to disclose financial terms and conditions that the company s least expensive package of 29 99 per month is only available to customers who meet certain financing conditions and agree to have the costs automatically charged or debited The suit also alleged that some cancellation fees assessed by the company were considered to be unfair and That the company unfairly retained consumer deposits made to obtain services Those who cancel service prior to the end of their contract lose part of the deposit and may also be charged cancellation fees The Attorney General s Office asked the court to compel DirecTV to change its business practices impose civil penalties and provide restitution for consumers The case brought by Washington state was settled in December 2010 with DirecTV agreeing to pay over 1 million and to correct many of its business practices 122 DirecTV subsequently settled a similar suit with the other 49 states and the District of Columbia for 13 25 million 123 124 California class action lawsuit Edit In September 2008 consumers filed a class action lawsuit with the Los Angeles Superior Court to stop DirecTV s practice of charging early cancellation penalties to subscribers The lawsuit claims that DirecTV fails to disclose the penalty to new customers or to existing customers who replace their equipment or add a new receiver and that these practices are unlawful In September 2009 a motion for a preliminary injunction was filed to block the company from automatically removing the fees from customers bank accounts or charging their credit card accounts without their prior knowledge and written consent until the lawsuit is resolved 125 Telemarketing violations Edit In December 2005 the U S Federal Trade Commission imposed a 5 3 million penalty on DirecTV for its violations of federal telemarketing regulations It was the largest civil penalty the FTC had ever announced in a case enforcing any consumer protection law 126 Deceptive advertising Edit On March 11 2015 the Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against DirecTV for deceptive advertising The FTC claims the following DirecTV failed to properly disclose important terms of its TV packages DirecTV typically advertised 12 month deals without noting that A two year contract is required Package prices rise substantially during the second year and Early cancellation fees may be imposed DirecTV failed to mention that offers of free premium channels such as HBO would result in charges if the channels were not canceled before the free period ended 127 International operations EditSky PerfecTV sold to SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation DirecTV Latin America renamed Vrio in 2018 sold to Grupo Werthein Sky Brasil sold to Grupo Werthein Sky Mexico now part of AT amp T Latin America 41 3 and Televisa 58 7 See also EditHigh definition television in the United StatesReferences Edit About Us Company Profile DirecTV Retrieved July 8 2013 AT amp T amp TPG Close DIRECTV Transaction August 2 2021 Retrieved December 29 2021 AT amp T Completes Acquisition of DirecTV AT amp T Inc July 24 2015 Retrieved July 24 2015 Stelter Brian May 19 2014 AT amp T and DirecTV strike 49 billion deal CNN Retrieved May 19 2014 Gurwin Jason April 22 2021 DirecTV AT amp T TV and AT amp T U Verse Lost 620K Subscribers in Q1 2021 thestreamable com Goldsmith Jill February 25 2021 WarnerMedia Parent AT amp T Sells DirecTV Stake To Private Equity Firm TPG Deadline Hayes Dade August 2 2021 AT amp T Completes DirecTV Spinoff Satellite Operator Unites Its Internet Delivered Bundles Under New Brand DirecTV Stream Deadline Hollywood Brinkly Joel March 30 1986 The Richest Foundation The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved February 3 2017 Howard Hughes Patron Of Science CBS News Retrieved October 23 2020 G M Purchase Of Hughes The New York Times December 23 1985 Retrieved July 2 2016 Hughes Electronics Corporation American corporation Encyclopedia Britannica Retrieved October 23 2020 Fabrikant Geraldine November 3 1997 Satellite TV Provider Waits for World to Catch Up Published 1997 The New York Times ISSN 0362 4331 Retrieved October 23 2020 Stanley S Hubbard www pavekmuseum org Retrieved October 23 2020 Gross Neil Coy Peter March 6 1995 The Technology Paradox Bloomberg Retrieved March 19 2020 Richter Paul February 22 1990 New Satellite to Home TV Service Due in 1993 Broadcasting Four firms back billion Sky Cable venture The system could carry up to 108 channels Los Angeles Times POLETTI THERESE NEW SATELLITE TV SERVICE OFFERED WITH 18 INCH DISH The Buffalo News Retrieved October 16 2020 Cory Grice December 14 1998 Hughes buys satellite firm for 1 3 billion CNET news Joanna Glasner January 22 1999 DirecTV Buys PrimeStar Wired Archived from the original on May 7 2011 Lander Mark September 20 1996 Hughes Deal For Panamsat Is Reported To Be Complete The New York Times Bowman Bill Delco Electronics Corporation GM Heritage Center Peltz James January 17 1997 Raytheon Acquires Hughes Wing in 9 5 Billion Deal L A Times Raytheon GM in Dispute Over Hughes Sale L A Times Bloomberg January 28 1999 Retrieved January 7 2016 2001 Form 10 K Hughes Electronics Corporation United States Securities and Exchange Commission March 11 2002 Fact Sheet Boeing Acquisition of Hughes Space and Communications Business Boeing Corporation Hughes Boeing reach settlement on satellite sale dispute SpaceToday net July 17 2003 Littleton Cynthia November 12 1997 DirecTV commits originals in Variety Retrieved December 6 2021 Behrens Steve Bedford Karen Everhart December 13 1999 DirecTV okays channels from PBS and ITVS Current American University School of Communication Retrieved February 21 2017 Goetzl David May 1 2000 Airlines and Airwaves Advertising Age Vol 71 no 19 New York City pp 18 20 Hofmeister Sallie September 7 2000 GM Revving Up the Bidding War for Hughes Sale L A Times Archived from the original on May 12 2011 Murdoch s DirecTV purchase approved BBC News February 9 2001 EchoStar wins DirecTV CNNMoney October 29 2001 a b Mannes George December 10 2002 Hughes EchoStar Split Leaves PanAmSat Hanging The Street Archived from the original on May 12 2011 a b Nic Hopkins April 10 2003 News Corp buys control of DirecTV The Times London FCC OKs News Corp purchase of DirecTV MSNBC December 19 2004 2004 Form 10 K The DirecTV Group U S Securities and Exchange Commission March 17 2004 DirecTV Agrees to Sale of PanAmSat Unit L A Times April 24 2004 2005 Form 10 K The DirecTV Group Inc U S Securities and Exchange Commission March 10 2006 SkyTerra Communications Acquires Remaining Interest in Hughes Network Systems LLC from The DirecTV Group SkyTerra Communications Inc January 3 2006 Archived from the original on February 15 2011 Retrieved October 19 2011 a b The DIRECTV Group Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2006 Results DirecTV Retrieved February 8 2013 Dempsey John November 2 2005 DirecTV gets original with music show Variety Retrieved December 6 2021 DirecTV to carry 100 National HD Channels in 2007 Engadgethd com Archived from the original on January 12 2007 Retrieved August 26 2012 DirecTV Locals Directv com Archived from the original on September 25 2008 Retrieved August 26 2012 David Lieberman December 7 2006 Deal would give Liberty reins of DirecTV USA Today News Corp Shareholders Accept Liberty Deal The New York Times April 4 2007 Tim Mullaney February 27 2008 Liberty Completes Swap of News Corp DirecTV Stakes Bloomberg John Eggerton April 14 2009 FCC Approves Transfer of DirecTV s Station Licenses to Liberty Entertainment Benton Foundation Archived from the original on July 27 2011 Retrieved September 23 2011 Tim Mullaney and Kelly Riddell May 4 2009 DirecTV Group to Combine With Liberty Entertainment Bloomberg News Archived from the original on November 7 2015 DirecTV Completes Merger Transaction with Liberty Media DirecTV November 19 2009 New Satellite Services DirecTV June 16 2010 Archived from the original on October 15 2017 Why have the Music Channels changed DirecTV com Retrieved February 9 2010 Jim Moore December 21 2010 Get ready for Root Sports the next homer TV network Seattle Post Intelligencer D amp M Holdings Divests ReplayTV Dm holdings com Retrieved August 26 2012 Key Peter June 5 2013 DirecTV buys firm backed by Michael Hagan bizjournals com Philadelphia Business Journal Retrieved June 5 2013 Flint Joe May 1 2014 AT amp T interested in acquiring satellite broadcaster DirecTV Los Angeles Times Retrieved May 18 2014 de la Merced Michael Gelles David May 18 2014 AT amp T to Buy DirecTV for 48 5 Billion The New York Times Retrieved May 18 2014 Marek Sue May 18 2014 AT amp T to purchase DirecTV in 49B Deal Fierce Cable Retrieved May 18 2014 Flint Joe May 19 2014 DirecTV deal with AT amp T includes NFL Sunday Ticket exit clause Los Angeles Times Retrieved May 20 2014 AT amp T amp DirecTV Merger Gets FCC Approval With Conditions Deadline July 24 2015 Retrieved July 24 2015 FCC approves AT amp T DirecTV merger The Verge Vox Media July 24 2015 Retrieved July 24 2015 Bode Karl August 14 2015 AT amp T Outlines the Changes DirecTV and U Verse Users Will See DSL Reports Retrieved August 15 2015 Dano Mike August 12 2015 AT amp T to stop investing in U verse CPE will move to new in home architecture using DirecTV system FierceCable Retrieved August 15 2015 Baumgartner Jeff August 17 2015 AT amp T to Put Genie Into U Verse s Bottle MultiChannel News Retrieved August 20 2015 subscription required Roettgers Kano September 16 2015 AT amp T Taps Former Sirius XM Cisco Exec as Video and Internet CTO Variety Retrieved September 17 2015 Baumgartner Jeff September 16 2015 Enrique Rodriguez to Lead AT amp T DirecTV Integration MultiChannel News Retrieved September 17 2015 Farrell Mike December 2 2015 AT amp T Enters Next Phase in DirecTV Branding MultiChannel News Retrieved December 3 2015 Frankel Daniel December 2 2015 AT amp T to begin transitioning away from DirecTV brand starting in January report says FierceCable Retrieved December 2 2015 Bode Karl December 2 2015 AT amp T Plans on Killing the DirecTV Name Starting in January DSL Reports Retrieved December 2 2015 Moritz Scott February 16 2016 AT amp T Takes U Turn on U Verse as It Pushes Users Toward DirecTV Bloomberg Retrieved February 16 2016 Baumgarnter Jeff February 16 2016 AT amp T Stops Making U verse TV Boxes Report MultiChannel News Retrieved February 16 2016 Frankel Daniel February 16 2016 AT amp T reportedly halts U verse set top production in latest DirecTV push Fierce Cable Retrieved February 18 2016 Hammond Ed Sherman Alex Moritz Scott October 20 2016 AT amp T Discussed Idea of Takeover in Time Warner Meetings Bloomberg Retrieved October 20 2016 Yu Roger October 20 2016 Report AT amp T considering buying Time Warner USA Today Retrieved October 20 2016 Hagey Keach Sharma Amol Cimilluca Dana October 21 2016 AT amp T Is in Advanced Talks to Acquire Time Warner The Wall Street Journal Retrieved October 21 2016 Yu Roger October 22 2016 AT amp T agrees to buy Time Warner for more than 80B USA Today Retrieved October 22 2016 Gryta Thomas Hagey Keach Cimmiluca Dana October 22 2016 AT amp T Reaches Deal to Buy Time Warner for 86 Billion The Wall Street Journal Retrieved October 22 2016 Lawler Richard July 13 2017 AT amp T s next gen TV platform rollout will start on DirecTV Now Engadget Retrieved July 13 2017 Lieberman David July 13 2017 AT amp T To Offer Cloud Based DVR To Streaming Services Deadline Hollywood Retrieved July 13 2017 Frankel Daniel July 13 2017 DirecTV Now to finally get cloud DVR as part of AT amp T video platform rollout Fierce Cable Retrieved July 13 2017 Engebretson Joan September 12 2017 AT amp T CEO Bye Bye DirecTV Hello AT amp T OTT Video Telecompetitor Retrieved September 24 2017 Pautasio Leticia September 18 2017 AT amp T se enfrenta al desafio de encontrar un comprador para DirecTV Latinoamerica Telesemana in Spanish AT amp T Sells Its DirecTV Latin America Unit Vrio To Holding Company Grupo Werthein Deadline July 21 2021 Retrieved November 21 2021 Grupo argentino conclui compra de SKY Brasil e DirecTV GO junto a AT amp T TudoCelular in Portuguese November 16 2021 Retrieved November 21 2021 Brodkin Jon July 30 2019 AT amp T kills DirecTV Now brand name as TV subscribers leave in droves Ars Technica AT amp T changes DirecTV Now to AT amp T TV Now FierceVideo Brodkin Jon March 4 2020 Struggling AT amp T plans tens of billions in cost cuts more layoffs Ars Technica Retrieved March 4 2020 Ahmed Nabila Moritz Scott September 1 2020 AT amp T to Scrap Sale of Warner Bros Video Game Unit Bloomberg News Archived from the original on September 3 2020 Retrieved September 2 2020 James Meg July 30 2019 AT amp T renames DirecTV streaming service AT amp T TV Now Los Angeles Times Retrieved October 2 2020 Baumgartner Jeff March 1 2016 AT amp T to Take DirecTV Over The Top MultiChannel News Retrieved March 1 2016 Kirsch Nathan March 1 2016 AT amp T Allows DIRECTV Video Services Over a Your Internet Connection Legit Reviews Retrieved March 1 2016 Lieberman David March 1 2016 AT amp T Unveils DirecTV Streaming Video Plans With TV And Short Form Content Deadline Hollywood Retrieved March 1 2016 Baumgartner Jeff October 25 2016 DirecTV Now Coming in November MultiChannel News Retrieved October 25 2016 AT amp T will reveal everything about DirecTV Now on November 28th The Verge November 18 2016 DirecTV and TiVo to Launch New HD DirecTV DVR with TiVo Service DIRECTV September 3 2008 Retrieved September 4 2008 Spangler Todd December 14 2009 Can TiVo Reinvent Itself Multichannel News Archived from the original on June 15 2011 Retrieved December 14 2009 Don Reisinger December 6 2011 DirecTV TiVo DVRs coming to select markets this week CNET a b DIRECTV TiVo DIRECTV DVR with TiVo service TiVo TiVo December 8 2011 Archived from the original on January 25 2012 a b HD DVR Tivo for DIRECTV DirecTV December 8 2011 a b THR22 DIRECTV HD TiVo DVR FAQ weaKnees Retrieved December 20 2011 Solid Signal goes Hands On with the new HR44 Genie DVR The Solid Signal Blog Forums solidsignal com January 18 2013 Retrieved January 7 2016 Solid Signal s HANDS ON REVIEW DIRECTV H44 Genie Lite and external hard drive The Solid Signal Blog Forums solidsignal com March 10 2015 Retrieved January 7 2016 Manly Lorne January 8 2007 From the Mind of a TV Producer Satellite Television in a Portable Box The New York Times Poulsen Kevin January 25 2001 DirecTV attacks hacked smart cards Theregister co uk Retrieved August 26 2012 From the Eye of a Legal Storm Murdoch s Satellite TV Hacker Tells All Wired May 30 2008 Atwood Jeff May 31 2008 Revisiting the Black Sunday Hack Coding Horror Retrieved August 26 2012 DirecTV launches 4K exclusive to Samsung TVs CNET Retrieved April 15 2016 DirecTV solves its 4K TV compatibility problem with new Genie Mini set top boxes TechHive IDG Retrieved April 15 2016 DirecTV s first live 4K show is the Masters golf tournament Engadget Retrieved March 12 2016 The Masters in 4K DirecTV CBS Sports Tee Up First Live 4K UHD Broadcast in U S Sports Video Group March 9 2016 Retrieved March 12 2016 DirecTV to Carry MLB Network Games in 4K Ultra HD Variety April 12 2016 Retrieved April 14 2016 DirecTV To Offer Notre Dame Football Telecasts In 4K Multichannel News September 8 2016 Retrieved September 12 2016 HD Locals DirecTV Retrieved June 30 2013 Kohler Katie October 21 2021 Joe Hand Promotions Still Fighting After 50 Years Thanks To Added Punch From Streaming Barstool and Streaming Play Pennsylvania Feasterville PA Catena Media Retrieved October 5 2022 DIRECTV AND PRIME VIDEO TO HOST THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL DirecTV Insider August 23 2022 Farhi Paul Scene 1 Double Take 2 The Washington Post August 7 2007 Comcast Looks To Sack DirecTV s Sunday Ticket Campaign Multichannel News August 4 2011 Comcast Drops Suit Against DirecTV Over NFL Sunday Ticket Ads Multichannel News August 20 2011 Client Highlights gt gt DirecTV Lightships Retrieved February 13 2012 DirecTV Sweeps J D Power Survey Archived July 16 2011 at the Wayback Machine Cable360 net August 15 2007 Agreements DirecTV official site accessed November 4 2012 DirecTV says its cancellation fee is fair since installation is free The Boston Globe August 31 2008 DirecTV Customer Service Fail Archived from the original on April 25 2013 Retrieved 2013 03 20 Washington Attorney General s 1 million DIRECTV settlement sends clear signal Atg wa gov December 14 2010 Retrieved January 16 2013 States reach 13 25 million settlement with DirecTV Associated Press December 18 2010 13 25 Multi state Settlement Reached with DIRECTV over Allegations of Deceptive Advertising Gant Daily December 15 2010 DirecTV Takes Disputed Fees Out of Customer Accounts Suit Charges Consumer Affairs September 25 2009 Retrieved August 3 2010 DirecTV to Pay 5 3 Million Penalty for Do Not Call Violations Ftc gov June 24 2011 Archived from the original on September 26 2012 Retrieved 2012 08 26 Kastrenakes Jacob March 11 2015 FTC alleges DirecTV deceptively advertised TV packages The Verge Vox Media Retrieved March 11 2015 External links EditOfficial website AT amp T s DIRECTV website Portals Greater Los Angeles Companies Television United States Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title DirecTV amp oldid 1135163181, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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