Broadcast services began in mid-1994. DirecTV, Inc, a subsidiary of Hughes Communications, faced as competitors the similar Primestar and USSB services, as well as older C-band satellite services and cable TV companies. The orbital part of the system consists of 3 Hughes-built geosynchronous satellites. Broadcast services began in mid-1994. Competitors include the similar Primestar and USSB services, as well as older C-band satellite services and cable TV companies.
Power is higher in areas with heavy rain.
The high power combined with Reed Solomon error correction coding allow the use of small 18 inch antennas by customers. By 1997 DirecTV had 2.6 million of 5.0 million US direct broadcast television subscribers. More details Commercial TV broadcast. Stationed at 100.79 deg W. Launch vehicle put payload into supersynchronous earth orbit with MRS trajectory option. Last update 12 March 2001.