
DIRECTV-15, A Versatile All CONUS Beam Satellite, And SKYM-1, SKY MEXICO's First Owned-and-Operated Satellite, To Begin Operation in Q3
EL SEGUNDO, Calif., May 27, 2015 - DIRECTV is expanding its satellite fleet in both the U.S. and Latin America with the historic dual launch of two new spacecraft that will significantly increase HD capacity, further secure the future of 4K Ultra HD and backup DIRECTV's existing satellite fleet.
DIRECTV-15 (D-15), a versatile all CONUS (Continental United States, including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico) beam satellite, and SKY MEXICO-1 (SKYM-1), SKY MEXICO's first owned-and-operated satellite, successfully launched today at 2:16 p.m. PT on a single ARIANE 5 launch vehicle operated by Arianespace from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana.
D-15, a more than six ton spacecraft designed and built by Airbus Defence and Space, will be the first DIRECTV satellite with the capability to operate in all five DIRECTV U.S. orbital slots and in all frequency bands (Ku, Ka and Reverse Band). This is the first all CONUS beam DIRECTV satellite to launch in 10 years, and it will expand national capacity for both HD and 4K Ultra HD channels, as well as provide critical backup for existing CONUS transponders.
Controllers made contact with both satellites confirming that all systems are functioning properly.
We congratulate the launch team and our partners, Arianespace, Airbus Defence and Space, and Orbital ATK on a spectacular and historic launch, said Phil Goswitz, senior vice president, Space and Communications, DIRECTV. D-15, the most versatile spacecraft in the fleet and the robust SKYM-1, secure DIRECTV's ability to continue delivering the best video experience with the most advanced technology.
SKYM-1, weighing in at more than three tons, was built by Orbital ATK on its flight-proven GEOStar-2 platform. The new satellite will double HD capacity for SKY MEXICO and provide direct-to-home broadcast services to Mexico, Central America, Cuba and the Caribbean. SKY MEXICO is the leading company in the Mexican pay TV market.
D-15, the seventeenth satellite launched for DIRECTV and the twelfth owned and currently operated satellite in the DIRECTV fleet, will be positioned at 103 degrees West longitude and is designed to provide service for more than 15 years.
SKYM-1 will be positioned at the 79 degrees West longitude orbital slot adding to the IS-21 satellite capabilities at 58 degrees West longitude, and will have a life span of more than 18 years. Video replays of the launch are available on www.directv.com.
In December of 2014 DIRECTV successfully launched D-14, which became operational in Q2 of this year.
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world's leading providers of digital television entertainment services delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry leading customer service to more than 39 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its over 20 million customers access to more than 195 full time HD channels and Dolby-Digital 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET , Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 14 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 19 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include ownership interests and management of four Regional Sports Networks: ROOT SPORTS Rocky Mountain, Pittsburgh, Southwest and Northwest; and has minority ownership interests in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.
SHARE ON
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
30/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
30/10/2026
Creative software developer Foundry today announced Nuke Stage now supports macOS, making the end-to-end virtual production and in-camera visual effects (ICVFX)...
29/10/2026
Jameis Winston and Willie Colon are among current and former players hosting pro...
29/10/2026
After arriving in Fayetteville with dreams of calling games, the Arkansas native found her passion in the control room, building a promising future in replay an...
29/10/2026
The National Hockey League is taking on a larger role in local game production w...
29/10/2026
Media Links has appointed Mikhail Zavalin Market Development Technical Specialis...
29/10/2026
Gravity Media delivered the live broadcast and media infrastructure for the 2026...
29/10/2026
Rise AV has announced the 23 women selected for the second year of its Elevate program, a six-week management and leadership development course. The cohort incl...
29/10/2026
The F d ration Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have announced a global partnership under which AWS becomes the Official A...
29/10/2026
Advanced Systems Group (ASG) has appointed Bob Daniel Storage and Workflow Solutions Architect within its Enterprise Storage team. Daniel has more than 30 years...
29/10/2026
FloSports and the Pac-12 Conference have entered a media partnership that will b...
29/10/2026
TSN will launch Film Never Lies Grey Cup Playoffs Watchalong, an altcast hosted by TSN football analyst Luke Willson, for two CFL Grey Cup Playoffs games. Wills...
29/10/2026
For decades, broadcasters have designed production around one rule: build for th...
29/10/2026
Live event production company FOH Productions has built a portable camera switch...
29/10/2026
Gravity Media is marking its 25th year facilitating the host broadcast for the M...
29/10/2026
In-venue and creative video staffers at the professional and collegiate level ha...
29/10/2026
LA28 has named film producer Kathleen Kennedy Head of Ceremonies and Content for the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Kennedy, an eight-time Academy Award nom...
29/10/2026
In-house local telecasts have added new camera angles, graphics package, and dee...
29/10/2026
In this SVG New Sponsor Spotlight, Jake Blount, EVP, Sales, ICAT Logistics, disc...
29/10/2026
Mastering plug-in treated to ground-up rebuild
With a few plug-in releases now under their belt, Musik Hack have revisited their debut offering and kitted i...
29/10/2026
New modular full-range monitoring system arrives
Following a few weeks of teasers, HEDD Audio have just revealed the latest addition to their high-end monit...
29/10/2026
SGL Carbon LLC ( SGL Carbon ) has received an additional order for the supply of nuclear graphite from X-energy Reactor Company, LLC ( X-energy ) in accordance ...
29/10/2026
Rohde & Schwarz introduces MXO AI Connect for AI-assisted oscilloscope workflows Rohde & Schwarz connects AI assistants to its MXO oscilloscopes through MXO A...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
When LinkedIn set out to upgrade meeting spaces across nine APAC cities, the goal was clear: employees needed to walk into rooms in Bangalore, Beijing, Hong Kon...
29/10/2026
Lightware has expanded its LARA (Lightware Advanced Room Automation) Wizard platform with a new Elgato Stream Deck integration, allowing supported Stream Deck d...
29/10/2026
Boston Conservatory Center Stage Presents Opera Masterpiece La Boh me The Conservatory's production of the timeless opera will conclude the fall Center St...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
NewMedia Creative Technology Studio combined a large LED character, directional voice capture and remotely hosted AI processing for AI HOST, its interactive ins...
29/10/2026
The Royal Television Society Technology Centre (RTS) presented its 2026 Special Recognition Award to Newsmax, Newsmax Ukraine, Broadcast Solutions and nxteditio...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
29/10/2026
amaran, pioneer of lighting tools for creators, today announced the amaran Cam, its first webcam designed to go beyond simply capturing an image to help creator...
29/10/2026
The Sky Original returns to screens on November 26Thursday 29 October 2026
Ella Purnell is back in the killer new trailer for Sweetpea Season 2Turn on cookies ...
29/10/2026
In our increasingly climate conscious world, many cities are embracing nature, with more tree cover and open spaces such as parks, and restored wetlands, ponds,...
29/10/2026
Red Seat Ventures Announces Exclusive Partnership with Homecoming Golf Partnership Includes Homecoming Golf's New Drink Cart Scramble Series Featuring Hig...
29/10/2026
Oct. 29, 2026 - US-based Alliance for Audited Media (AAM) and the UK's ABC,...
29/10/2026
This Halloween week, GFN Thursday is delivering a fresh batch of gaming treats.
Something wicked this blade comes. S-GAME's Phantom Blade Zero launches on ...
28/10/2026
SDI Failsafe IP Routing: Inside the UTAH-400 Series 2 Router A pure-IP routing core has no inherent fallback. When the ST 2110 network degrades, when the PTP gr...
28/10/2026
MLB Network is nearly all-day media day coverage across MLB Now, MLB Central, ML...
28/10/2026
Voyage Audio and Shure microphones are in the forefront of the sector's transition to digital
Microphones may have come late to the digital table, but they...