nger broadcast "in the clear" for everyone with a dish to pick up without any payment to the program developers. The subscribers were addressable, so that the programmer could turn channels on and off by a code sent over the satellite signal, depending on what channel was paid for by the owner. A few channels were broadcasted on the higher frequency Ku-band satellites, and some hybrid C/Ku-band systems were sold, but Ku reception never became very popular due to the difficulties in receiving the Ku channels and to the lack of sufficient programming on these satellites.In the early 1990's four large cable companies launched a Direct Broadcast Satellite, or DBS system called Primestar using an existing medium power Ku-band satellite and a 36" dish. In 1994, the GM Hughes DirecTV system was launched using a newly designed high power Ku-band satellite and an 18" dish. These systems provided great pictures and stereo sound on 150-200 video and audio channels, and the small dish era began in a serious way.Two years later, the EchoStar Dish Network system was launched. A forth DBS system, Alphastar, attempted to get started but eventually went out of business.Since the beginning of the DirecTV satellite system in 1994, sales of these small dish systems has exploded, making this the most successful introduction of new technology ever. With the launch of a Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) system from EchoStar, and the continuing success of the DirecTV system, as well as the cable-owned Primestar system (now bought out by DirecTV), the choices can look bewildering.Across America, more than one of every 20 homes has a satellite dish. Several states now boast satellite television penetration figures exceeding 10% of all TV households, with one state, Montana, having dishes in more than one out of every six homes. This explosion in the popularity of direct-to-home (DTH) satellite technology may surprise many casual observers since many Ameri...
