DirecTV

Owned by Hughes, DirecTV was launched in 1994 and was the first high-powered DBS service in the world. DirecTV typically uses smaller 18-inch satellite dishes to receive its signals. Slightly larger, elliptical dishes are becoming more common as DirecTV (as well as other DBS services) are attempting to squeeze more programming onto their growing systems, particularly local American television network affiliates stations as well as hybrid systems that also receive broadband satellite Internet service.

DirecTV was also originally referred to as "Digital Satellite Service", or DSS, but an American court ruled that the term "DSS" was a general term that could not be trademarked as there are other digital satellite services.

DirecTV has long been a victim of an active piracy underground but has recently begun to crack down on illegal reception of its signals.