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About Satellite-TV
1994: Ready for DBS

The DTH industry had emerged from its second major crisis, and now this industry which had begun so humbly, stood on the threshold of a new era, "The Dawn of DBS." It is important to understand that 1994 represented one of the best years ever for the C-band industry. In August 1994, some 85,000 systems were shipped, representing perhaps the best single month in the industry's 14 year history. As the year drew to a close, more than 600,000 new systems had been shipped, and nearly 2.2 million consumers were authorized for DTH service. Today, while C-band activity has slowed, it still is recording approximately 12,000 - 15,000 new system shipments per month, and while total authorized households had dropped slightly, this still represents 2.4 percent of all television households. In addition, prospects for the C-band segment of the DTH industry may well be improved by the introduction of analog/digital hybrid receivers this fall.

A 20-Year Adventure: the Best is Yet to Come

As the DTH industry celebrates the 20th anniversary of Taylor Howard's invention, it is clear that satellite TV is here to stay. The industry survived not only because it has a good product - but because many of those early pioneers simply wouldn't let the dream slip away. Those pioneers, carrying the scars of their battle, are now leading this industry into the "digital information age" of the 21st century.

About the Author...

Harry W. Thibedeau is the Manager of Industry Affairs for the Satellite Broadcast & Communications Association (SBCA).

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