DirecTV facts for kids
Logo since August 2, 2021
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Formerly
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The DirecTV Group, Inc. (2005–2015) |
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| Joint venture | |
| Traded as | NASDAQ: DTV |
| Industry | Multichannel video programming distributor |
| Predecessor | Hughes Electronics |
| Founded | June 17, 1994 (as DirecTV) |
| Headquarters |
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United States
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Areas served
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United States, Latin America, the Caribbean and Europe |
| Products | multichannel linear pay television |
| Owners |
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| Subsidiaries | U-verse TV DirecTV Stream |
DIRECTV is a big American company that delivers TV channels to your home. It's based in El Segundo, California. They started way back on June 17, 1994. Their main way of sending you TV is through satellites in space!
DIRECTV also offers TV through the internet, like their U-verse TV and DirecTV Stream services. They compete with other TV providers like Dish Network and traditional cable companies.
In 2015, a large company called AT&T bought DIRECTV. This was a huge deal! But then, in 2021, AT&T decided to make DIRECTV a separate company again. AT&T still owns most of it (70%), and another company called TPG Inc. owns 30%.
Contents
How DIRECTV Started: A Look Back
From Aircraft to TV: Hughes Electronics
The story of DIRECTV actually begins with Howard Hughes, a famous businessman. In 1953, he created a medical institute and gave it ownership of his company, Hughes Aircraft. After he passed away, Hughes Aircraft was sold to General Motors in 1985. General Motors then combined it with another company to form Hughes Electronics.
In the early 1990s, people started thinking that digital satellite TV could become popular and affordable. Hughes Electronics created DIRECTV as a special part of their company. They worked with another company, USSB, to build and launch the first powerful satellite TV system.
The first DIRECTV and USSB channels officially launched on June 17, 1994. This was a big step for satellite television!
Growing Bigger: Buying Other Companies
Over the years, DIRECTV grew by buying other satellite TV companies. In 1998, they bought USSB, the company they started with. Then, in 1999, they bought PrimeStar, another big competitor. These purchases helped DIRECTV become a major player in the satellite TV world.
In 2000, DIRECTV even launched the first live TV service for airplanes! Airlines like JetBlue were among the first to use it.
In 2003, a media company called News Corporation bought a large part of Hughes Electronics, which included DIRECTV. This meant DIRECTV became connected with channels like 20th Century Fox.
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In 2005, Hughes Electronics changed its name to The DirecTV Group, Inc., focusing only on satellite TV.
Changes and Challenges
DIRECTV faced some challenges too. In 2005, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission asked DIRECTV to pay a large amount of money because of how they handled some telemarketing rules. This was a big penalty for them.
Later, in 2008, some customers filed a lawsuit because of fees for canceling service early. In 2010, DIRECTV settled a similar case with many states, agreeing to pay money to resolve the issues. These situations helped make sure companies are clear about their rules.
In 2009, DIRECTV became its own company, separate from Liberty Media.
Joining AT&T and Beyond
In 2014, AT&T announced it would buy DIRECTV. This big deal was approved in 2015. As part of the deal, AT&T promised to expand its internet services to more homes, libraries, and schools.
After AT&T bought DIRECTV, they started to change things. They began to focus more on DIRECTV satellite service and less on their U-verse TV service.
In 2016, AT&T launched new internet-based TV services under the DIRECTV brand, like DirecTV Stream. These services let people watch TV over the internet without a satellite dish.
In 2016, AT&T also bought Time Warner, bringing channels like HBO and Cartoon Network (part of Turner Broadcasting System) under the same company as DIRECTV.
As mentioned earlier, in 2021, DIRECTV became a separate company again, with AT&T still owning most of it. This new DIRECTV company continues to offer live and on-demand TV.
Working Together: DIRECTV's Partnerships
DIRECTV works with many groups and companies. Since 2022, they've partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities, which helps families with sick children. They also work with other organizations like the Hispanic Federation.
DIRECTV has also teamed up with big companies like Yahoo for advertising. They also have important partnerships for sports.
Sports for Businesses
DIRECTV helps places like bars and restaurants show live sports. This is especially helpful for games that are only streamed online, like some NFL Thursday Night Football games on Amazon Prime Video or Major League Soccer games on Apple TV+. DIRECTV makes it possible for these businesses to show the games to their customers.
- Since 2021, DIRECTV has offered ESPN+ for Business for commercial places.
- In 2022, they partnered with Amazon to show Thursday Night Football in businesses.
- In 2023, DIRECTV made deals with Apple TV+ to show MLS Season Pass and Friday Night Baseball to businesses.
- They also kept the exclusive rights to NFL Sunday Ticket for businesses.
How DIRECTV Works: Satellites and Devices
Satellites in Space
DIRECTV uses a fleet of 12 satellites orbiting high above Earth. These satellites help send TV signals to homes across North America.
Your TV Equipment: From Past to Present
When DIRECTV first started in 1994, it sent digital TV channels to homes. You needed a special receiver and an 18-inch (46 cm) satellite dish. These early systems offered cool features like an interactive TV guide and parental controls.
Later, DIRECTV added local channels, which needed a slightly bigger dish that could pick up signals from more than one satellite.
As TV technology improved, DIRECTV started offering HDTV channels. This required new receivers and dishes that could handle the higher quality signals. They even introduced HDMI ports for connecting to modern HDTVs.
Around 2012, DIRECTV launched its "Genie" system. This system included a main "Genie" server and smaller "mini Genie" devices for other rooms. The Genie could record up to five shows at once and let you watch your recordings from any TV in your house! It also added Wi-Fi to connect to your home internet.
More recently, DIRECTV has introduced 4K UltraHD broadcasts, which offer incredibly clear pictures. They also have the "Genie 2" device and the "DIRECTV Stream" device for watching TV over the internet. In 2023, they released "GEMINI," which combines features for both satellite and streaming TV.
Access Cards: Keeping Signals Safe
DIRECTV uses special "smart cards" called access cards. These cards help your receiver understand how to unscramble the TV signals so you can watch the channels you pay for. DIRECTV regularly updates these cards to keep their signals secure.
High-Definition and 4K TV
DIRECTV offers both high-definition (HDTV) and ultra-high-definition (4K) channels. HDTV gives you a much clearer picture than older TV. To get HD channels, you need a newer receiver and a special dish that can pick up signals from multiple satellites.
In November 2014, DIRECTV was the first TV provider to offer 4K content. 4K gives you an even sharper picture than HD! At first, you could rent 4K movies. Then, in 2016, DIRECTV started showing live sports in 4K, like the 2016 Masters Tournament and some MLB Network baseball games.
Local Channels
DIRECTV provides local channels like CBS, ABC, NBC, and Fox in almost all homes across the U.S. This means you can watch your local news and shows through DIRECTV.
If you live in an area where it's hard to get local signals, DIRECTV can sometimes provide channels from New York or Los Angeles. They also offer national PBS and Ion Television channels.
What You Can Watch: Programming
DIRECTV used to have its own special channels, like Audience Network, which had original shows. They also had a 3DTV channel called n3D for a while.
DIRECTV also provides TV service on some airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
For many years, DIRECTV was the only place in the U.S. to get the NFL Sunday Ticket, which lets you watch all out-of-market NFL games. However, starting in 2023, YouTube TV took over the NFL Sunday Ticket for regular customers, but DIRECTV still offers it to businesses.
DIRECTV also has a service called DirecTV Cinema where you can rent movies. You can often rent them right from your TV remote if your receiver is connected to the internet.
Fun Ads and the Blimp
Famous Commercials
Since 2006, DIRECTV has made many commercials featuring characters from popular movies and TV shows. Actors like William Shatner (as Captain Kirk from Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country) and Christopher Lloyd (as Doc Brown from Back to the Future) have appeared in these ads. They often show how DIRECTV's picture quality is better than cable.
They also had commercials that poked fun at cable TV. One series of ads was a spoof of the game show To Tell The Truth with Alex Trebek. Another series featured NFL players like Peyton Manning and Deion Sanders promoting NFL Sunday Ticket.
The DIRECTV Blimp
You might have seen the DIRECTV blimp, nicknamed "Lefty," flying over big events like sports games. It first launched in 2007 at the MLB World Series. This blimp has a special video screen that can show full-color videos and messages, day or night! People often track its journeys on social media.
Customer Service and Subscribers
| 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 |
DIRECTV has won awards for its customer service in the past. They have many call centers that help customers with questions about their TV service.
Over the years, millions of people have subscribed to DIRECTV. The company grew steadily, reaching over 20 million subscribers by 2014.
Images for kids
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Hughes Electronics logo (1985–1990)
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DirecTV logo used from 1993 to 2005
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DirecTV logo 2005 to 2011. The "D" symbol was used in some capacity from 1994 to 2015.
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Headquarters in California in 2013
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DirecTV transitional logo following purchase by AT&T from July 24, until December 31, 2015
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Logo used from January 1, 2016, to August 1, 2021
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Logo used in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2018
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DIRECTV Cares
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DirecTV AU9-S 3-LNB "Slimline" satellite dish
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DirecTV AT-9 5-LNB "Sidecar" satellite dish
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DirecTV WNC SF6 Gray HD 2-LNB "Round" satellite dish, used only in Latin America and the Caribbean
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JetBlue promotes DirecTV on board Airbus A320 N510JB "Out of the Blue."
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DirecTV on board a jetBlue plane
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DirecTV blimp flying over West Las Vegas during the Consumer Electronics Show 2015
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DirecTV service van in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan. DIRECTV equipment is installed and maintained by private contractors.
