Posted by: anchorwave on April 26th, 2011
Famed astrophysicist and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke is considered the inventor and initiator in the history of satellite TV. The publication of his article “Extraterrestrial Relays” in “Wireless World Magazine” in 1945 was the catapult of his reputation. At a time when no one had been able to launch an object in space, let alone keep it there in orbit, Clarke described theories of “artificial satellites” in geosynchronous orbits to enhance communication.
Objects in geosynchronous orbit 22,300 miles above Earth’s surface take just as long to complete one orbit as Earth takes to revolve once on its axis. This means the satellite always stays above the same spot on Earth, and a ground station can be pointed at the satellite without having to track it. For a satellite-view of Earth from that vantage point, check out Dish Network’s Dish Earth channel.
Birth of the Space Age
The space age began with the launch of Russia’s Sputnik on October 4, 1957. The space race was launched on January 31, 1958 when the United States sent Explorer I into space. In 1962, the first satellite television signal was relayed from Europe to the Telstar satellite over North America. The first geosynchronous communication satellite, Syncom 2, was launched in 1963, fulfilling Dr. Clarke’s prediction. The first global satellite transmission was broadcast on 1967 and famously featured the Beatles performing “All You Need is Love”.
Birth of Satellite TV
Throughout the 1960’s and early 70’s, satellites were used to relay network transmissions between coasts or for special “satellite hook-ups” to feature overseas events. Home Box Office (HBO) made history in October 1975 by delivering the heavyweight boxing match “The Thriller From Manilla” between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World direct to cable TV.
Before HBO began delivering new movie releases and sporting events direct to cable providers, cable had been known as Community Access Television (CATV). Consisting primarily of a single large antenna to receive network broadcasts in rural or remote areas and then distribute them by cable to local residents, the introduction of this new content caused an explosion in cable systems and brought them to urban areas as well.
Since HBO and other providers of cable content, as well as network programs, were being delivered by satellite unencrypted, anyone with a receiver could view the programs. As a result, large dish sytems began popping up everywhere. By 1984, program providers realized they could not keep giving away their product free to satellite dish owners while charging cable systems for the same content. Laws were changed to allow the transmissions to be encrypted.
The small dish era
For the 10 years between 1985 and 1995, the satellite TV industry was dominated by the cable industry. The expensive large dish antenna and the decoder fees made satellites a poor choice for the consumer. Preceptions began to change in the early 1990’s with the launch of Primestar and Hughes DIRECTV Satellite System.
Both systems utilized small dish technology known as Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) to transmit video and audio channels to consumers. The DBS market has grown to directly compete with cable. In fact, most homes in America now receive television signals from the two leading DBS providers – DIRECTV and Dish Network. Since both these systems utilize geosynchronous satellites, Dr. Clarke’s 1945 vision has become a staple of the 21st century American lifestyle.
Satellite TV is truly a remarkable invention. For more information about the benefits of satellite TV, visit us on Facebook and Twitter!
Interested in signing up for new satellite TV service? Contact us!
Leave a Reply