DirecTV

DirecTV (now owned by AT&T) is a direct broadcast satellite (DBS) service provider, based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Launched in 1994 by Hughes Electronics Corporation, it was the very first high-powered (mini-dish) DBS service in the world. The company is owned by DirecTV Group, and controlled by News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group.

Equipment...

Main components of DirecTV's home satellite system are: (1) mini-dish antenna and (2) receiver. Its standard mini-dish is 18" in diameter, with a single LNB (low-noise block down-converter) unit, capable of covering a single orbital location (satellite). The more advanced 18x24" dish has either 3 or 5 independent LNB units, capable of covering as many orbital locations, for greater programming input. There is several others with somewhat different features available.

The receiver also comes in different flavors. Within the past decade, they went from the standard model (Hughes Director), with basic features and no digital recording, to the advanced DVR80 and HD DVR (high-definition digital video recorder) w/TiVo  with many hours of recording and enhanced interactive TV features. A triple LNB dish, along with HD receiver and HDTV set, are needed for high-definition programming reception. The current lineup includes Genie, their most advanced receiver. 

Programming...

DirecTV offers hundreds of channels. Packages range from "Select" (155+ channels) to "Premier" (330+ channels). While some packages mainly add educational/lifestyle and music channels, the "Premier" expands to the premium movie packages, HBO, Starz, Showtime and Cinemax.

Movie packages, as well as specialized sport and adult packages are also available. DirecTV's exclusive is the NFL Sunday Ticket, a must for USA football fans.

Local channels are offered by DirecTV - at least to some extent - to nearly the entire US. That includes hundreds of local HD channels for a number of US cities and metropolitan areas.

Also, DirecTV offers a number of international packages (Asian, European, Spanish), as well as international sport channels, such as those for cricket and European soccer. Some channels, international and others, are available "a la carte".

As of early 2006, DirecTV used 11 TV satellites, serving over 15 million customers in the US and 1.6 million customers in Latin America. In comparison to the other giant provider, Dish Network, DirecTV is more oriented toward serving urban and metropolitan areas. In 2019, DirecTV had 16 million subscribers, down from 21 million in 2017.

Installation...

With term commitment, DirecTV system offers free standard equipment installation. For some time, the equipment was also given away for free, with 1-year warranty. However, since March 1st 2006, DirecTV switched to equipment lease, similar to Dish Network. There is no up front cost for the customer, but a small monthly fee is charged for the use of equipment.

Service includes dedicated around the clock customer support.

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