Direct Broadcast Satellites

Abstract

In 1945, Arthur C. Clarke foresaw television (and radio) broadcasting as the primary use of a 24-hour satellite. In 1954, John R. Pierce saw communications satellites as providing transoceanic telephony. Comsat and Intelsat were formed to provide an international telephone service and perhaps some incidental television distribution. By 1965, when ABC television filed with the FCC for a television distribution satellite permit, it was clear that there was a market for television distribution over land areas. As discussed in Chapter 7, it took some time for the Domsats (domestic satellites) to actually enter service. By 1976, RCA Americom (RCA American Communications—operators of RCA Satcom satellites) was probably earning more from television distribution than from telephony. The distribution of network television programming was a good business, but business boomed when dozens of cable networks joined the four broadcast networks. The lower satellite distribution charges—compared to AT&T—made distributing the programming of a new network much cheaper. The new cable networks made Domsats profitable and the new Domsats made new cable networks possible. Comsat had missed the Domsat and satellite television distribution boom in the late 1970s and had lost considerable sums on SBS—perhaps a new market was opening up.

[Comsat could not find a partner] “…and there’s no way of getting out.”

Joseph V. Charyk