COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 513220

Satellite Television Distribution Systems

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

16companies1983–2001founding years16still active0no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedLodgeNet Entertainment CorporationFoundedLodgeNet Entertainment Corporation
1983
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
FoundedBritish Sky Broadcasting Group plcFoundedBritish Sky Broadcasting Group plc
1988
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
FoundedCrown Media Holdings, Inc.FoundedCrown Media Holdings, Inc.FoundedMultimedia Games, Inc.FoundedMultimedia Games, Inc.FoundedPaxson Communications CorporationFoundedPaxson Communications Corporation
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedCharter Communications, Inc.FoundedCharter Communications, Inc.FoundedEchoStar Communications CorporationFoundedEchoStar Communications Corporation
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
FoundedLiberty Media CorporationFoundedLiberty Media Corporation
2001
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation →
Active · founded 1983
LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation is a leading entertainment company providing network-based video games,…
LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation →
Active · founded 1983
LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation is a leading entertainment company providing network-based video games,…
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc →
Active · founded 1988 · United Kingdom
With nearly 17 million viewers, digital satellite television operator British Sky Broadcasting Group plc, better known…
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc →
Active · founded 1988 · United Kingdom
With nearly 17 million viewers, digital satellite television operator British Sky Broadcasting Group plc, better known…
Crown Media Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
Crown Media Holdings, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Crown Media Holdings, Inc.
Multimedia Games, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Multimedia Games, Inc.
Multimedia Games, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Multimedia Games, Inc.
Paxson Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1991
Paxson Communications Corporation was founded in 1991 by Lowell 'Bud' Paxson, the man who cofounded the Home Shopping…
Paxson Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1991
Paxson Communications Corporation was founded in 1991 by Lowell 'Bud' Paxson, the man who cofounded the Home Shopping…
Charter Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
At the end of 1999 Charter Communications, Inc.
Charter Communications, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
At the end of 1999 Charter Communications, Inc.
EchoStar Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1993
EchoStar Communications Corporation is perhaps best known for its direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system, DISH…
EchoStar Communications Corporation →
Active · founded 1993
EchoStar Communications Corporation is perhaps best known for its direct broadcast satellite (DBS) system, DISH…
Liberty Media Corporation →
Active · founded 2001
Liberty Media Corporation is a holding company with a variety of subsidiaries and investments operating in the media,…
Liberty Media Corporation →
Active · founded 2001
Liberty Media Corporation is a holding company with a variety of subsidiaries and investments operating in the media,…
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