The DirecTV Group (NASDAQ:DTV) is the largest provider of household satellite television in the United States and has a customer base of over 18.5 million.^[1] The company markets itself as the leading provider of differentiated and exclusive content, and the leader in high definition (HD) programming. DTV offers exclusive programming such as the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package and over 95 Spanish and international language channels, which are not available via cable or other satellite service providers.

Satellite television is the leading alternative to the traditional cable television and has experienced rapid growth in the past decade. However, DTV and the satellite industry continues to face challenges from traditional cable companies like Comcast (CMCSA), Cablevision Systems (CVC), and Time Warner Cable. These companies are not only much larger than their satellite competitors, but also have capacity to offer bundled services which includes TV, telephone, and high speed internet. DTV has recently begun to offer similar services through a partnership with AT&T (T) and other internet service providers, but may lose the ability to do so, as AT&T (T) continues to roll out its own video services.

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