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DIRECTV Satellite Discussion D-14 @99W

428K views 3K replies 157 participants last post by  P Smith 
#1 ·
Next up, DirecTV-14, 2014.

Space Systems / Loral (SS/L) Selected to Provide High-Power Satellite to DirecTV:
http://www.ssloral.com/html/pressreleases/pr20100611.html
RB-1 (S2711 at 99°) FCC Filings:
Application: http://licensing.fcc.gov/cgi-bin/ws.exe/prod/ib/forms/reports/swr031b.hts?q_set=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number/%3D/SATAMD2008011400013&prepare=&column=V_SITE_ANTENNA_FREQ.file_numberC/File+Number

Original (1/2008): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=-141474

Grant (7/2009): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=727403

Bond (8/2009): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=737367

Build (7/2010): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=837188

Modification (7/2011): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=907941

Schedule-S (7/2011): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=908556

RB-2 (S2712 at 103°) FCC Filings:
Original (1/2008): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=-141476

Letter (7/2011): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=908362

Letter (7/2011): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=910484

Modification (7/2011): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=907995

Schedule-S (7/2011): http://licensing.fcc.gov/myibfs/download.do?attachment_key=908568

Sixto said:
The FCC approvals from 7/28/2009 ... the Notes are from early September last time I checked:

FCC Application | Company | Callsign | Slot | Notes
SAT-LOA-20050210-00031|Intelsat|S2662|91°|Surrendered
SAT-LOA-20060412-00042|Pegasus|S2698|91°|Surrendered
|
SAT-LOA-20060908-00099| DirecTV| S2711|99°|Paid (RB-1)
SAT-LOA-20050210-00029|Intelsat|S2660|99°|Surrendered
|
SAT-LOA-20060908-00100| DirecTV |S2712|103°|Paid (RB-2)
|
SAT-LOA-19970605-00049|DirecTV| S2242|107°|Surrendered
SAT-LOA-20020328-00052|EchoStar|S2442|107°|Paid
SAT-LOA-20060412-00043|Pegasus|S2699|107°|Surrendered
|
SAT-LOA-20020328-00051|EchoStar|S2441|111°|Paid
SAT-LOA-19970605-00050| DirecTV | S2243|111°|Paid (RB-4)
 
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#1,303 ·
From the recent DIRECTV 10-K

We have contracted for the construction and launch of two new satellites: D14, which we expect to launch in the fourth quarter of 2014, and D15, which we
expect to launch in the first half of 2015. D14 and D15 are expected to provide additional HD, replacement and backup capacity
Boy, it's going to be a long year.
 
#1,304 ·
RAD said:
Boy, it's going to be a long year.
I think they're being overly optimistic about launching DIRECTV 15 this year. There are eight or nine launches that appear to be ahead of it (the first of which is scheduled for March 21st) and only 10 months left.

Of course launching and going into service are two decidedly different dates as well but being a near equatorial launch should help shorten the span.
 
#1,305 ·
harsh said:
I think they're being overly optimistic about launching DIRECTV 15 this year. There are eight or nine launches that appear to be ahead of it (the first of which is scheduled for March 21st) and only 10 months left.

Of course launching and going into service are two decidedly different dates as well but being a near equatorial launch should help shorten the span.
White said DIRECTV 15 in 2015, not 2014, please reread the statement.
 
#1,307 ·
Salo has updated his calendar to include the information from the investor's presentation (D14 in Q4 2014 and D15 "first half" 2015.

The year's third launch is scheduled for the end of May and the fourth is scheduled for the end of July. That leaves 2-3 dates at the current rate to cover five or so launches.
 
#1,308 ·
harsh said:
Salo has updated his calendar to include the information from the investor's presentation (D14 in Q4 2014 and D14 "first half" 2015.

The year's third launch is scheduled for the end of May and the fourth is scheduled for the end of July. That leaves 2-3 dates at the current rate to cover five or so launches.
"D15" :)
 
#1,310 ·
#1,313 ·
#1,314 ·
Salo updated his schedule a couple of days ago to assign a flight number (VA221) and a companion satellite for DIRECTV 14. Things may be looking up for a 2014 launch although there is still nothing more specific than Q4 for the date. The important part is that none of the other Q4/EOY candidates appear to have been assigned a flight number.

Apparently GSAT-16 has been getting bounced around and now it is going to be paired with DIRECTV 14. GSAT-16 weighs in at 3,150Kg and DIRECTV 14 is slated to tip the scales at upwards of 6,502Kg so the payload would appear to be quite near the 10,000Kg maximum. I'm not certain whether the faring is included in any of those weights.
 
#1,317 ·
Chip does have a point.

Sent from my Galaxy S5
 
#1,319 ·
studechip said:
Perhaps the fact that the launch date has been moved back several times is a factor?
Except that it's never even had a launch date. Only a rough time frame that's been altered a bit to latter in the year. He likes to make it sound like it could be another couple years and the world is falling apart. He also makes it sound like we should think something is wrong because it's time frame guestimate had changed.
 
#1,320 ·
inkahauts said:
Except that it's never even had a launch date. Only a rough time frame that's been altered a bit to latter in the year. He likes to make it sound like it could be another couple years and the world is falling apart. He also makes it sound like we should think something is wrong because it's time frame guestimate had changed.
Perhaps a better guestimate in the beginning would help. Set expectations. A new satellite "sometime in 2014" presented as "a new satellite launched by December 31st, 2014 (maybe)." The overly optimistic who suggested a Spring 2014 launch, or did not refute that time frame may be the ones to blame. Set expectations. Early in 2013 when someone posted Spring 2014 the realists should have said "not spring ... by the end of 2014." Did that happen?

Or did the dates slip back?
 
#1,321 ·
inkahauts said:
Except that it's never even had a launch date. Only a rough time frame that's been altered a bit to latter in the year. He likes to make it sound like it could be another couple years and the world is falling apart. He also makes it sound like we should think something is wrong because it's time frame guestimate had changed.
True, it's never had a launch date, but the expected time frame has been moved back several times.
 
#1,322 ·
How much do any delays in D14's launch affect customers? I don't think they do all that much. There are some people wishing for a favorite niche channel to be added or added in HD. D14 will make many of them happy. There are about a dozen DMAs comprising less than 1% of the population that either don't have locals or don't have them in HD. D14 will address that, or at least most of it.

However, unless they add 100 new HD channels, there's a ton more bandwidth being added than the above could consume (not even including all that RDBS bandwidth) Some will surely go to 4K, but with no 4K receivers available yet, no 4K content for Directv to offer except a limited PPV menu, and few households with 4K TVs, even if D14 was pushed back into next year it wouldn't matter.

They could increase HD quality, which is always welcome. Perhaps they'll add ESPN3 feeds as alt channels when the new ESPN contract is done. Since starting this summer they'll no longer be doing SD only installs, replicating 95 on 99/103 would mean a single dish for all new installs. Replicating 119 would mean SL3 for all new installs, minimizing LOS issues.

Certain people like to make it sound as if D14 is continually being pushed back, with the not so subtle implication that this is a big problem for Directv. It isn't. There's not nearly the urgency that existed with D10/D11/D12 when there was heavy competition amongst cable and satellite providers to get all the popular channels in HD. D14's changes will be mostly at the margins and behind the scenes, and most customers won't even notice.
 
#1,323 ·
I would think most people don't have a clue how satellite TV really works, so most people wouldn't know about or count on a satellite launch anyway.

Sent from my Galaxy S5
 
#1,324 ·
slice, I agree that the average consumer has no clue about satellite launches, and if they do, probably don't care. That's not the point. The time frame for the launch of D14 has been moved back several times. That's all. I don't see it as a big deal. It will be interesting to see how it's utilized. Will there be an increase in bandwidth for each channel? That would be nice! So would a few of the niche channels. There really aren't any I care much about, but I know many posters here have their favorite missing channels.
 
#1,325 ·
damondlt said:
I would think most people don't have a clue how satellite TV really works, so most people wouldn't know about or count on a satellite launch anyway.
Most do not know the logistics behind what they want ... they just know what they want. More channels in HD, their local channels in HD. They don't know how DirecTV will provide what they want ... they just want it.

People on our forum generally get more of the logistics. They ask for what they want and someone mentions how DirecTV provides that. Years of waiting for the the next satellite on DBSTalk has explained the purpose behind launches.

All the general public knows is what they believe they are missing ... check any of the newbie questions to see what the general public wants. Delays in getting what they want is what they notice. If they are waiting for new HD channels this will be a bad year for DirecTV ... and while they may be niche channels SOMEONE wants each of the missing channels. And they have just as much right to miss their channels as anyone who already has all they want.
 
#1,326 ·
James Long said:
All the general public knows is what they believe they are missing ... check any of the newbie questions to see what the general public wants. Delays in getting what they want is what they notice. If they are waiting for new HD channels this will be a bad year for DirecTV ... and while they may be niche channels SOMEONE wants each of the missing channels. And they have just as much right to miss their channels as anyone who already has all they want.
I don't disagree, but there is a big difference between the urgency for D10/D11/D12 when Directv was behind some cable companies in HD, and today, where all providers are roughly equal - all are missing some set of niche channels that SOMEONE wants, as you say, but all have a pretty wide selection so people can't find more than a few channels that any one provider lacks.

When D14 is operational, there will STILL be missing channels, due to disagreements over price/terms (like the LA Dodgers channel) or because Directv just doesn't think they will have enough of an audience to bother with. There are a lot of channels out there, no one can carry them all. Even if they could/did without their pricing getting out of line compared to the competition, it probably wouldn't win them any appreciable market share. The days of inducing people to switch by advertising how many HD channels you have are over.

A wider HD channel selection just isn't high on people's priority list these days, because for the most part they feel providers are pretty much equal in that regard. Most people are satisfied with with the selection they get, even those who wish for an additional channel or two. People choose based on price and equipment (i.e. some combination of capacity/reliability/features/performance of set tops) unless there is some missing deal breaker channel. Such deal breakers, like Pac 12 for example, generally have nothing to do with a lack of capacity.
 
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