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| image_size = 220px
| image_caption =
| former_name = The DirecTV Group, Inc. (2005–20152004–2015)
| type = [[Joint venture]]
| traded_as = {{NASDAQ was|DTV}}
| industry = [[Multichannel television in the United States|Multichannel video programming distributor]]
| predecessor = [[Hughes Electronics]]
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| products = [[Multichannel television in the United States|multichannel linear pay television]]
| owners = {{ubl|[[AT&T]] (70%)|[[TPG Inc.]] (30%)}}
| subsid = {{hlist|[[U-verse TV]]<br>|[[DirecTV Stream]]}}
| website = {{URL|www.directv.com}}
| footnotes = <ref name="Company Profile">{{cite web|title=About Us: Company Profile|url=http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/about_us/company_profile|publisher=DirecTV|access-date=July 8, 2013}}</ref>
}}
 
'''DirecTV, LLC''' (trademarked as '''DIRECTV''') is an American [[Multichannel television in the United States|multichannel video programming distributor]] based in [[El Segundo, California|El Segundo]], [[California]]. Originally launched on June 17, 1994, its primary service is a digital [[Satellite television|satellite service]] serving the United States. It also provides traditional linear television service delivered by IP through its [[U-verse TV]] brand and a [[Multichannel television in the United States#Virtual MVPD, TV Everywhere, and over-the-top media services|virtual multichannel video programming distributor]] service through its [[DirecTV Stream]] brand.<ref name="AT&T Spinoff Press Release">{{cite web|url=https://about.att.com/story/2021/att_directv.html|title=AT&T & TPG Close DirecTV Transaction|date=August 2, 2021|access-date=December 29, 2021}}</ref> Its primary competitors are [[Dish Network]], traditional cable television providers, [[Multichannel television in the United States#Wireline and broadband|IP-based television services]], and other [[Over-the-top media service|over-the-top]] video services.
 
On July 24, 2015, after receiving approval from the [[Federal Communications Commission]] and the [[United States Department of Justice|Department of Justice]], AT&T acquired DirecTV in a transaction valued at $67.1&nbsp;billion.<ref name="AT&T, Inc">{{cite web|url=http://about.att.com/story/att_completes_acquisition_of_directv.html|title=AT&T Completes Acquisition of DirecTV |publisher=AT&T, Inc. |date=July 24, 2015 |access-date=July 24, 2015}}</ref><ref name=cnnmay19>{{cite web|last=Stelter|first=Brian|title=AT&T and DirecTV strike $49 billion deal|url=https://money.cnn.com/2014/05/18/news/companies/att-directv/index.html |access-date=May 19, 2014|work=CNN|date=May 19, 2014}}</ref>
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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.<ref name="Goldsmith">{{Cite web |last=Goldsmith |first=Jill |date=February 25, 2021 |title=WarnerMedia Parent AT&T Sells DirecTV Stake To Private Equity Firm TPG |url=https://deadline.com/2021/02/att-deal-directv-with-private-equity-firm-tpg-1234701305/ |website=Deadline}}</ref><ref name="Hayes">{{cite web|title=AT&T Completes DirecTV Spinoff; Satellite Operator Unites Its Internet-Delivered Bundles Under New Brand DirecTV Stream |url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/att-directv-spinoff-tpg-streaming-bundles-warnermedia-1234807615/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Dade|last=Hayes|date=August 2, 2021}}</ref>
 
On September 30, 2024, AT&T announced that they would sell their remaining 70% stake to TPG Inc. for $7.6 billion. Once the transaction is completed, TPG Inc. will have 100% ownership of DirecTV, splitting the company off from AT&T for the first time since 2015. AT&T and TPG Inc. expect the sale to close in the second half of 2025.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-30 |title=AT&T sells stake in DirecTV for $7.6 billion as it exits entertainment biz, as DirecTV buys Dish - CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/at-t-directv-sale-7-6-billion-tpg-dish-merger/ |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
 
On September 30, 2024, DirecTV announced that it would [[Proposed acquisition of Dish Network by DirecTV|acquire]] rival [[Dish Network]] from [[EchoStar]] in a debt exchange transaction that includes a payment of $1 and the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. DirecTV stated its intent to support the Dish brand for the foreseeable future, and the company does not currently have plans to make changes to existing Dish operations.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Reilly |first=Jordan Valinsky, Ramishah Maruf, Liam |date=September 30, 2024 |title=DirecTV agrees to buy Dish for $1 &#124; CNN Business |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/30/media/directv-dish-network-merger/ |website=CNN}}</ref> EchoStar and DirecTV expect the deal to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, contingent on regulatory approval and bondholders writing off nearly $1.6 billion in Dish-related debt.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Chapman |first=Michelle |last2=Grantham-Philips |first2=Wyatte |date=September 30, 2024 |title=Satellite service DirecTV buys rival Dish as it fights the onslaught of streaming services |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/att-exits-showbiz-sells-remaining-stake-directv-private-114343562 |access-date=2024-09-30 |website=ABC News |language=en}}</ref>
 
==History==
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In 1953, [[Howard Hughes]] created the [[Howard Hughes Medical Institute]] (HHMI), to which he transferred full ownership of [[Hughes Aircraft]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/30/magazine/the-richest-foundation.html|title=The Richest Foundation|last=Brinkly|first=Joel|date=1986-03-30|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2017-02-03}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Howard Hughes: Patron Of Science?|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/howard-hughes-patron-of-science-21-11-2003/|access-date=2020-10-23|website=CBS News|date=November 21, 2003 |language=en}}</ref> 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&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/12/23/business/gm-purchase-of-hughes.html|title=G.M. Purchase Of Hughes|website=[[The New York Times]]|date=23 December 1985|access-date=2 July 2016}}</ref> General Motors then merged Hughes Aircraft with its subsidiary [[Delco Electronics]] to create Hughes Electronics Corporation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hughes Electronics Corporation {{!}} American corporation|url=https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hughes-Electronics-Corporation|access-date=2020-10-23|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref>
 
[[Hubbard Broadcasting|Stanley E. Hubbard]] founded [[United States Satellite Broadcasting]] (USSB)<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fabrikant|first=Geraldine|date=1997-11-03|title=Satellite TV Provider Waits for World to Catch Up (Published 1997)|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/11/03/business/satellite-tv-provider-waits-for-world-to-catch-up.html|access-date=2020-10-23|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and was a leading proponent for the development of direct-broadcast satellite service in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Stanley S. Hubbard|url=https://www.pavekmuseum.org/HubbardSS.htm|access-date=2020-10-23|website=www.pavekmuseum.org}}</ref> HHMI and other companies believed in the early 1990s that technology would soon make digital satellite television affordable.<ref name="bloomberg19950305">{{Cite news |last1=Gross |first1=Neil |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/1995-03-05/the-technology-paradox |title=The Technology Paradox |date=1995-03-06 |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2020-03-19 |last2=Coy |first2=Peter |language=en}}</ref> HHMI created DirecTV as a separate division and secured an agreement with USSB to build and launch the first high-power direct-broadcast satellite system.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://articleswww.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-02-22/news/-mn-1704_1_cable1704-operatorstory.html |work=Los Angeles Times |first=Paul |last=Richter |title=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 |date=February 22, 1990 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=POLETTI|first=THERESE|title=New Satellite TV Service Offered With 18-Inch Dish|url=https://buffalonews.com/news/new-satellite-tv-service-offered-with-18-inch-dish/article_59ef3c0c-7469-573d-9573-2bd40f5e9362.html|access-date=2020-10-16|website=The Buffalo News|date=October 10, 1994 |language=en}}</ref>
 
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, [[INSP (TV network)|Inspirational Life]], [[NASA TV]], [[PBS YOU]], StarNet and [[Link TV|WorldLink TV]], for the mandate.<ref>{{cite news| last1=Behrens |first1=Steve|last2=Bedford |first2=Karen Everhart|title=DirecTV okays channels from PBS and ITVS|url=http://current.org/wp-content/uploads/archive-site/in/in923d.html|access-date=February 21, 2017|work=Current|publisher=American University School of Communication|date=December 13, 1999}}</ref>
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In December 1998, DirecTV acquired [[United States Satellite Broadcasting|USSB]] for $1.3&nbsp;billion, and combined the two satellite services.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.cnet.com/Hughes-buys-satellite-firm-for-1.3-billion/2100-1033_3-219066.html |title=Hughes buys satellite firm for $1.3&nbsp;billion |publisher=CNET news |author=Cory Grice |date=December 14, 1998 }}</ref> In 1999, DirecTV acquired [[PrimeStar]], a competitor in the satellite television industry, for $1.83&nbsp;billion, dramatically increasing its share of the satellite television market in the US.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/1999/01/17479 |title=DirecTV Buys PrimeStar |author=Joanna Glasner |newspaper=Wired |date=January 22, 1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507080432/http://www.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/1999/01/17479 |archive-date=May 7, 2011 |df=mdy }}</ref>
 
[[File:DirecTV 1993.svg|thumb|200px|DirecTV logo used from 19931994 to 2005 ]]
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]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Goetzl |first=David |date=1 May 2000 |title=Airlines and Airwaves |magazine=[[Advertising Age]] |location=New York City |volume=71 |issue=19 |pages=18–20 }}</ref>
 
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 Network Systems|Hughes]], including GM's entire share of the company, for $6.6&nbsp;billion, subject to SEC approval.<ref name=newscorp>{{cite news|url=http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article1128673.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808194942/http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article1128673.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 8, 2011|author=Nic Hopkins|title=News Corp buys control of DirecTV|newspaper=The Times|date=April 10, 2003|location=London}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/3763546wbna3763546 |title=FCC OKs News Corp. purchase of DirecTV|newspaper=MSNBC|date=December 19, 2004}}</ref>
 
[[File:DirecTV logo (2004-2011).svg|thumb|210px|DirecTV logo 2005 to 20102011. The "D" symbol was used in some capacity from 1994 to 2015.]]
 
InOn January 31, 2005, 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, 2005, and changing its ticker symbol from "HS" to "DTV".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/944868/000119312505038986/d10k.htm |title=2004 Form 10-K, The DirecTV Group |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=March 17, 2004 }}</ref> In April of that year, it sold its controlling interest in PanAmSat to a private consortium led by [[Kohlberg Kravis Roberts]] for $3.53&nbsp;billion.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://articleswww.latimes.com/2004archives/la-xpm-2004-apr/-21/business/-fi-panamsat21-story.html |title=DirecTV Agrees to Sale of PanAmSat Unit |newspaper=L.A. Times |date=April 24, 2005 }}</ref> 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&nbsp;million in the transaction.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/944868/000104746906003209/a2168249z10-k.htm |title=2005 Form 10-K, The DirecTV Group, Inc. |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |date=March 10, 2006 }}</ref> In January 2006, DirecTV sold its remaining 50% share in Hughes Network Systems to SkyTerra for $100&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hughes.com/HNS%20Library%20Press%20Release/01-03-06_SkyTerra_acquires_remaining_interest_in_HNS_LLC_from_DirecTV.htm |title=SkyTerra Communications Acquires Remaining Interest in Hughes Network Systems LLC from The DirecTV Group |date=January 3, 2006 |publisher=SkyTerra Communications, Inc. |access-date=October 19, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110215180606/http://www.hughes.com/HNS%20Library%20Press%20Release/01-03-06_SkyTerra_acquires_remaining_interest_in_HNS_LLC_from_DIRECTV.htm |archive-date=February 15, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
 
In 2004, DIRECTV exited the Mexican market, even though it maintained 41% ownership of [[SKY México]].<ref name="DTV Q4/Y2006">{{cite web|title=The DirecTV Group Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2006 Results |url=http://investor.directv.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=286317 |publisher=DirecTV |access-date=2013-02-08 }}</ref> On November 15, 2005, DirecTV stopped carrying [[Music Choice]] audio-only channels, replacing it with 73 channels of [[XM Satellite Radio]]. In 2007, DIRECTV exited the Brazilian market, with the customers being migrated to the 74% DirecTV-owned Brazilian affiliate of [[SKY Brasil]].<ref name="DTV Q4/Y2006"/>
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In June 2013, DirecTV purchased Pennsylvania-based LifeShield, a maker of [[Burglar alarm#Wired, wireless and hybrid systems|wireless home security systems]], with plans to market the systems to its customers.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/news/2013/06/05/directv-buys-firm-backed-by-michael.html |title=DirecTV buys firm backed by Michael Hagan |last=Key |first=Peter |date=June 5, 2013 |website=bizjournals.com |publisher=[[Philadelphia Business Journal]] |access-date=June 5, 2013 }}</ref>
 
[[File:Full Directv logo.png|thumb|right|200px|DirecTV transitional logo following purchase by AT&T from July 24, until December 31, 2015]]
[[File:DirecTV logo new.svg|thumb|Logo used from January 1, 2016, to August 1, 2021]]
[[File:DirecTVCaribbeanLogo.png|thumb|right|Logo used in Latin America and the Caribbean since 2018]]
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In April 2023, DirecTV launched a brand campaign, “Overly Direct Spokesperson,” that stars [[Brian Cox (actor)|Brian Cox]]; this is part of its new brand strategy platform, “Entertainment Without Compromise”.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.marketingdive.com/news/directv-brian-cox-overly-direct-spokesperson-succession-campaign/647036/|title=DirecTV succeeds with Brian Cox as 'Overly Direct Spokesperson'|website=Marketing Dive|date=April 7, 2023|author=Chris Kelly|access-date=September 27, 2023}}</ref>
 
On September 30, 2024, AT&T announced that they would sell their remaining 70% stake to TPG Inc. for $7.6 billion. Once the transaction is completed, TPG Inc. will have 100% ownership of DirecTV, splitting the company off from AT&T for the first time since 2015. AT&T and TPG Inc. expect the sale to close in the second quarter of 2025.<ref name=":2" />
 
On September 30, 2024, DirecTV announced that it would [[Proposed acquisition of Dish Network by DirecTV|acquire]] rival [[Dish Network]] from [[EchoStar]] in a debt exchange transaction that includes a payment of $1 and the assumption of approximately $9.8 billion in debt. DirecTV stated its intent to support the Dish brand for the foreseeable future, and the company does not currently have plans to make changes to existing Dish operations.<ref name=":0" /> EchoStar and DirecTV expect the deal to close in the fourth quarter of 2025, contingent on regulatory approval and bondholders writing off nearly $1.6 billion in Dish-related debt.<ref name=":1" />
 
==Partnerships==
[[File:DIRECTV Cares Logo.png|thumb|DirecTV Cares logo]]
Since 2022, DIRECTV has partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities and its network of local chapters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rmhc.org/about-us/our-partners|title=Our Partners|website=Ronald McDonald House|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref> DirecTV has also partnered with the [[Hispanic Federation]], Kids in the Spotlight, the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission, and the Plus Me Project.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lasec.net/directv-makes-long-term-commitment-to-support-championla/|title=DirecTV Makes Long-Term Commitment To Support ChampionLA|website=Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment CommisssionCommission|date=January 13, 2022|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kitsinc.org/post/kits-receives-directvxchampionla-award-at-the-chairman-s-party-in-lead-up-to-super-bowl-lvi|title=KITS Receives DirecTVxChampionLA Award at The Chairman's Party in Lead Up to Super Bowl LVI|website=Kids in the Spotlight|date=February 15, 2022|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hispanicfederation.org/our_funders/our_funders/|title=Our Funders|website=Hispanic Federation|access-date=November 22, 2023}}</ref>
 
[[Yahoo!|Yahoo]] and DirecTV announced an advertising deal in June 2022; under this partnership, Yahoo's [[omnichannel]] [[demand-side platform]] provided advertisers access to DirecTV's programmatic inventory on linear addressable and connected TV platforms while DirecTV gained access to Yahoo's [[supply-side platform]], making its streaming inventory available across the Yahoo Exchange.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thedrum.com/news/2022/06/20/directv-yahoo-adtech-partnership-addresses-fragmented-digital-video-landscape|title=DirecTV-Yahoo adtech partnership addresses fragmented digital video landscape|website=The Drum|date=June 20, 2022|author=John Glenday |access-date=September 27, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/378803/yahoo-directv-advertising-expand-deal-to-include.html|title=Yahoo, DirecTV Advertising Expand Deal To Include STB Data|website=Digital News Daily|date=October 17, 2022|author=Karlene Lukovitz|access-date=September 27, 2023}}</ref>
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A “Genie 2” device, HS17, was introduced in 2017 that added more satellite tuners and integrated the WVB functionality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://manuals.plus/directv/directv-genie-2-product-manual#google_vignette|title=DirecTV Genie 2 Product Manual|website=Manuals Plus|date=March 20, 2021|access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref>
 
DirecTV began delivering broadband-only services requiring no DirecTV branded equipment whatsoever. Under its new owner AT&T, mobile-device-only television packages were developed (i.e. WatchTV). The DirecTV Stream device (model C71KW) became available in 2019 to customers of over-the-top (OTT) streaming service.<ref>{{Citecite web |url=https://www.thekartinatvatt.com/2017ecms/07dam/directvatt/consumer/support/landingpage/userguides/pdf/ATT-appTV-forDevice-iphoneRemote-iosControl-ipad-androidManual.html pdf|title=DirecTV App for iPhone, iOS, iPad, & AndroidUser Manual|website=The Kartinatv |date=July 2017 AT&T|access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref>
</ref>
 
In 2023, DirecTV released Gemini, combining mini-Genie capabilities with the same features developed for the DirecTV stream device.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/reviewed/2023/07/27/directv-stream-gemini-air/70478696007/|title=DirecTV just launched the Gemini Air—its new device for 4K content streaming|website=USA Today|date=|author=Jada Kennzie|access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref>
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In April 2016, DirecTV began live sports broadcasts in 4K to eligible subscribers, including coverage from the [[2016 Masters Tournament]],<ref name="engadget-directv4k">{{cite web|title=DirecTV's first live 4K show is the Masters golf tournament|url=https://www.engadget.com/2016/03/09/directv-first-live-4k-show/|website=Engadget|access-date=12 March 2016}}</ref><ref name="svg-masters4k">{{cite web|title=The Masters in 4K: DirecTV, CBS Sports Tee Up First Live 4K UHD Broadcast in U.S.|url=http://www.sportsvideo.org/2016/03/09/directv-tees-up-first-live-4k-production-at-the-masters/|website=Sports Video Group|date=March 9, 2016 |access-date=12 March 2016}}</ref> 25 ''[[MLB Network]] Showcase'' baseball games in the 2016 season (subject to local [[Major League Baseball blackout policy|blackout restrictions]]) beginning April 15, 2016,<ref name="variety-4kmlbn">{{cite web|title=DirecTV to Carry MLB Network Games in 4K Ultra HD|url=https://variety.com/2016/digital/news/directv-mlb-4k-ultra-hd-1201751249/|website=Variety|date=April 12, 2016 |access-date=14 April 2016}}</ref> and all [[Notre Dame Football on NBC|Notre Dame college football]] home games during the 2016 season.<ref name="mcn-4knd">{{cite web|title=DirecTV To Offer Notre Dame Football Telecasts In 4K|url=http://www.multichannel.com/news/content/directv-offer-notre-dame-football-telecasts-4k/407605|website=Multichannel News|date=September 8, 2016 |access-date=12 September 2016}}</ref>
 
==Local channels==
DirecTV offers local channels like [[CBS]], [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]], [[NBC]], [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]], [[MyNetworkTV]], [[The CW]], [[Telemundo]], [[Univision]], [[UniMás]], and [[independent station]]s in markets covering over 99.2% of U.S. TV households.<ref name="DTV Locals">{{cite web|title=HD Locals|url=http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/content/hd/hd_locals|publisher=DirecTV|access-date=2013-06-30}}</ref> 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 subchannel]]s, 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 [[Public Broadcasting Service|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 [[Low-noise block converter|LNBs]] or the newer K<sub>a</sub>/K<sub>u</sub> 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 K<sub>u</sub>-band signals on the newer K<sub>a</sub>/K<sub>u</sub> dish are received from 101°W, 110°W, and 119°W, while K<sub>a</sub>-band signals are from 99°W and 103°W.
 
Local television channels are transmitted over [[optical fiber]] links, [[Ku band|K<sub>u</sub>-band]] satellite uplink, [[microwave]], and conventional terrestrial transmission to [[Satellite truck|uplink centers]] located throughout the United States.
 
[[File:JetBlue DIRECTV.jpg|thumb|JetBlue promotes DirecTV on board Airbus A320 N510JB "Out of the Blue."]] [[File:DTV-plane2.jpg|thumb|DirecTV on board a jetBlue plane]]
 
==Programming==
{{See also|Audience (TV network)}}[[File:JetBlue DIRECTV.jpg|thumb|JetBlue promotes DirecTV on board Airbus A320 N510JB "Out of the Blue."]] [[File:DTV-plane2.jpg|thumb|DirecTV on board a jetBlue plane]]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.▼
{{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]], [[Southwest Airlines]], and [[United Airlines]].
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With streaming providers such as [[ESPN+]], [[Amazon Prime Video]], and [[Apple TV+]] signing deals to exclusively stream selected sports events, DirecTV has become an alternative for commercial establishments, such as bars, restaurants and casinos, to show these games. This provides a loophole in the streaming providers' licensing terms that normally prohibit their commercial use in commercial establishments where the business makes money. In addition, these establishments do not have to reconfigure their systems to accommodate a streaming-only platform.<ref name="cnet"/>
 
Beginning in 2021, DirecTV became an exclusive provider of [[ESPN+ for Business]], which carries limited live sporting events that are otherwise streamed on an ESPN+ consumer account. This package is sold directly by [[Joe Hand Sr.#Joe Hand Promotions|Joe Hand Promotions]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kohler |first1=Katie |title=Joe Hand Promotions Still Fighting After 50 Years Thanks To Added Punch From Streaming, Barstool, and Streaming |url=https://www.playpennsylvania.com/joe-hand-promotions-50-streaming-rough-rowdy/ |access-date=5 October 2022 |work=Play Pennsylvania |publisher=Catena Media |date=21 October 2021 |location=Feasterville, PA}}</ref> On August 23, 2022, [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]] and DirecTV entered into a multi-year carriage agreement to broadcast ''[[Thursday Night Football]]'' only to business customers at no extra cost.<ref name="cnet">{{cite web |title=DirecTV and Prime Video to Host Thursday Night Football |url=https://www.directv.com/insider/directv-and-prime-video-thursday-night-football/ |website=DirecTV Insider |date=23 August 2022}}</ref> In 2023, DirecTV signed an exclusive deal with Apple TV+ to broadcast ''[[MLS Season Pass]]'' and ''[[Friday Night Baseball]]'', which both packages include in-market and out of market teams from each respective league, to its business customers only.<ref>{{cite web |title=DirecTV for Business to make MLS season pass available to commercial locations in the U.S. |url=https://www.directv.com/insider/directv-for-business-and-mls-season-pass/ |website=DirecTV Insider |access-date=27 February 2024 |date=16 February 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=DirecTV for Business To Bring Apple TV+ 'Friday Night Baseball' Doubleheaders Exclusively To Commercial Locations Across The U.S. |url=https://www.directv.com/insider/directv-for-business-apple-mlb-partnership/ |website=DirecTV Insider |access-date=27 February 2024 |date=22 March 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240227093722/https://www.directv.com/insider/directv-for-business-apple-mlb-partnership/ |archive-date= 27 February 2024 }}</ref> Later in 2023, it was also announced that DirecTV would retain exclusivethe rights to NFL Sunday Ticket for business customers only.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/directv-will-keep-nfl-sunday-ticket-in-bars-restaurants-hotels/|title= DirecTV Will Keep NFL Sunday Ticket in Bars, Restaurants and Hotels
|website=CNET|date=May 25, 2023|author=Eli Blumenthal|access-date=September 27, 2023}}</ref>
 
==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 [[computer-generated imagery|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."<ref name="farhi">Farhi, Paul. "[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/06/AR2007080601540.html Scene 1, Double Take 2]" ''The Washington Post'', August 7, 2007.</ref> These characters include [[James T. Kirk|Captain Kirk]] ([[William Shatner]], ''[[Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country]]''), Bill Harding ([[Bill Paxton]], ''[[Twister (1996 film)|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 (film)|Major League]]''), [[Beyoncé Knowles|Beyoncé]] ([[Upgrade U]] music video), Nadia ([[Shannon Elizabeth]], ''[[American Pie (film)|American Pie]]''), [[Turtle (Entourage)|Turtle]] ([[Jerry Ferrara]], ''[[Entourage (U.S.American TV series)|Entourage]]''), [[Ellen Ripley]] ([[Sigourney Weaver]], ''[[Aliens (film)|Aliens]]''), Steve Freeling ([[Craig T. Nelson]], ''[[Poltergeist (1982 film)|Poltergeist]]''), [[Annie Wilkes]] ([[Kathy Bates]], ''[[Misery (film)|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 (film)|The Dukes of Hazzard]]''), [[T-1000]] ([[Robert Patrick]], ''[[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]''), Ann Darrow ([[Naomi Watts]], ''[[King Kong (2005 film)|King Kong]]''), [[Hellboy]] ([[Ron Perlman]], ''[[Hellboy (2004 film)|Hellboy]]''), Richard Hayden ([[David Spade]], ''[[Tommy Boy (film)|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 thisthe series of commercials [[Don't be like this me]], [[Rob Lowe]] were [[Peyton Manning]], [[Eli Manning]], [[Tony Romo]], [[Andrew Luck]], [[Randy Moss]] 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 (model)|Hannah Davis]] and a "talking" horse.
 
DirecTV during that time also ran a 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.<ref>[http://www.multichannel.com/article/472011-Comcast_Looks_To_Sack_DirecTV_s_Sunday_Ticket_Campaign.php Comcast Looks To Sack DirecTV's Sunday Ticket Campaign] ''Multichannel News'' August 4, 2011</ref> 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".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120621201232/http://www.multichannel.com/article/472609-Comcast_Drops_Suit_Against_DirecTV_Over_NFL_Sunday_Ticket_Ads.php Comcast Drops Suit Against DirecTV Over NFL Sunday Ticket Ads] ''Multichannel News'' August 20, 2011</ref>
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