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Overview
Direct TV, headquartered in El Segundo, California, is a direct broadcast satellite television provider. With over 15 million subscribers, the company offers domestic and international programming. As part of its domestic program, Direct TV offers various packages starting with 45 digital channels, up to more than 265 channels. Costs for these packages in 2008 ranged from about $30 to $82 a month. As part of its international program, it offers a basic package that provides 65 channels in 14 different languages; this package costs about $10 a month. Direct TV's history is extensive and involves various companies.
What Company Owns Direct TV?
Hughes Aircraft
Hughes Aircraft was started by the famous billionaire Howard Hughes in 1932. The company was headquartered in El Segundo, California. Howard Hughes' love of flying aircraft preempted the founding of the company. The company created weaponry that was bought by the United States Department of Defense. After Howard Hughes died in 1976, Hughes Aircraft experienced difficulties.
General Motors
In 1985 General Motors bought Howard Aircraft for $5.2 billion. General Motors combined Howard Aircraft with its own Delco Electronics. The combined companies became Howard Electronics Corporation.
Hughes Electronics Corporation
Hughes Electronics Corporation is a front runner in the communications industry. At one point, the company had over 80,000 employees. But financial difficulties rose and less than a decade after General Motors bought Hughes Aircraft and formed Hughes Electronics Corporation, the company experienced massive layoffs. By the 1990s, the company was also moving more into the area of satellite television.
Direct TV
In 1990 Hughes Elecronics formed Direct TV. Direct TV launched in June 1994. Three years later the company had 3 million subscribers.
News Corporation
In December 2003 a deal was inked that brought Hughes Electronics Corporation (parent company of Direct TV) under the umbrella of News Corporation when News Corporation acquired 34 percent interest in Hughes Electronics. The deal cost over $6 billion. News Corporation is led by media and business mogul, Robert Murdoch. The Murdoch family has deep roots in the communications industry.
Liberty Media
On February 2, 2008, Liberty Media acquired 41 percent of Direct TV Group. Announcement of the deal was made on December 22, 2006. In the announcement, Liberty Media stated that, "We are happy to become the largest shareholder in the world's largest satellite television provider."
