Jump to content

United States Satellite Broadcasting

From Alfawiki
United States Satellite Broadcasting
Company typePrivate
IndustrySatellite television
Founded1981
FounderStanley S. Hubbard
Defunct1999
FateMerged into DirecTV
Headquarters
Saint Paul, Minnesota
,
United States
Key people
Stanley S. Hubbard, Stanley E. Hubbard II, Robert Hubbard, Paul Heinersheid, Bernard Weiss

United States Satellite Broadcasting (USSB), headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, was a satellite television provider that operated from 1981 until its merger into DirecTV in 1999.

History

Established in 1981 by Stanley S. Hubbard, President of Hubbard Broadcasting and a recognized innovator in satellite broadcasting, USSB focused throughout the 1980s on advancing digital satellite television technology. During the 1990s, Hubbard collaborated with Thomson Consumer Electronics and Hughes Electronics to develop a digital satellite system capable of delivering up to 175 channels. Originally launched under the name HUBTV, the platform was soon renamed USSB. Leadership included Hubbard’s sons, Stanley E. Hubbard II and Robert Hubbard, along with executives Paul Heinersheid and Bernard Weiss.

At its inception, USSB provided a modest selection of channels but secured agreements with most major American premium networks and all Viacom-owned channels, including those under MTV Networks. Rather than incorporating external news networks, USSB featured its proprietary All News Channel, operated jointly by Viacom and Hubbard-affiliated stations. Complementary programming came from Hughes through the DirecTV brand; both services utilized the same DSS (Digital Satellite System) hardware, with USSB channels typically assigned numbers in the 900 range. Subscribers could choose either service independently; however, many opted for both, resulting in separate billing accounts.

On March 10, 1998, all Viacom channels except the Showtime networks transitioned exclusively to DirecTV. Concurrently, USSB expanded its lineup by adding FXM and Showtime Extreme.

USSB faced challenges competing against DirecTV's broader channel offerings and more aggressive marketing strategies. A trademark dispute concerning DSS further complicated operations. Ultimately, in December 1998, the Hubbard family sold USSB to Hughes. Several USSB staff members were integrated into DirecTV’s offices located in El Segundo, California, and Castle Rock, Colorado. By mid-1999, the entirety of USSB’s channel roster had been merged into DirecTV’s service.

Channels

References

    • Available from 1997 to 1999 only
Retrieved from "https://www.alfawiki.org/index.php?title=United_States_Satellite_Broadcasting&oldid=66748"