P.O. Box 956
El Segundo, CA 90245-0956
Phone: (310)364-6000
www.hughes.com
Hughes Electronics Corporation is subdivision entirely owned by General
Motors Corporation, that takes part in being the world's leading provider
in the satellite and wireless communications industry. Hughes has
provided a brilliant range of entertainment, information and communications
services for the home and business markets, including video, data, voice,
multimedia and Internet services.
Hughes is broken down into three main subsidiaries:
DIRECTV,
Inc. is the United States' leading provider of digital
television entertainment programming. Hughes also provides
DIRECTV programming in Latin America through the Galaxy
Latin America partnership. Worldwide, more than 9 million
customers received programming from a
DIRECTV service at year-end 1999.
Hughes
Network Systems is the world's leading supplier
of satellite based private business networks with a market
share of over 55%. It is also a leading producer of set-top receivers
for DIRECTV and provides the DirecPC Satellite-based
internet access service.
PanAmSat
Corporation (NASDAQ:SPOT) ist he world's leading
provider of commercial satellite services, operating a global
fleet of 21satellites. Hughes owns 81% of PanAmSat.
Hughes provides
a clear example of a media synergy by selling satellite receivers to under
the Hughes label intended to receive DireTV signals through a subscrption
to their DirecTV subsidary.
Company
Fact Sheet:
History:
Hughes was founded by the legendary Howard
Hughes. Hughes Electronics has made sound contributions in today's technology
through developments such as laser range finding, fiber optics, and
the first launch of a geosynchronous communications satellite.
Hughes was purchased by GM sometime in the
mid 80s. In 1994 DirecTV began it's digital broadcasting services which
is how most people know of Hughes today. Since then the comapany's focus
has changed from producing satellites and creating related technologies
to telecommunications and it's covergence in the information age.
Brief History at hughes.com
DirecTV's contribution to Hughe's
total revenues clearly explains their
new focus.
Officers:
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Michael Smith
Chairman and CEO
Smith joined Hughes in 1985, the year the
company was formed, as senior vice president for finance, after spending
nearly 20 years with General Motors in a variety of financial management
positions.
He has received his undergraduate degree
at Providence College and an MBA from Babson College in 1971.
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Eddy Hartenstein
Hartenstein,
48, joined Hughes in 1972 and has headed DIRECTV since its inception in
1990.
Pradman Kaul
Kaul, 52, is responsible
for daily operations of Hughes Network Systems
Jack Shaw
Shaw,
60, is responsible for oversight of international marketing offices,
management of international sales representatives and consultants, export
compliance and international customer service. In addition, Shaw has assumed
responsibility for Hughes Electronics’ quality and customer satisfaction
initiatives.
Plans:
One of the newest
developments in the DirecTV subsidiary is the implementation of interactive
television. On the new RCA "plus" satellite receivers the roughly 1 million
applicable subscribers are able to pick out current weather conditions
in their area on the weather channel.
Probably
one of the rapidly channel subsidiary is Hughes Network Systems. They have
planned to unveil a wireless high speed internet service by 2003 in competition
with microsoft and a few other select ISPs.
The big
picture for Hughes is to completely converge entertainment and information
services as stated in the 1999 letter to shareholders. Such a convergence
will completely change the landscape of telecommunications. Hughes has
shown its seriousness to focus on this by "re-inventing" the company. By
appointing new executives and selling off it's less productive satellite
manufacturing facility.
Competitors:
All cable providers
Echostar
Communications (Dish network)
Recent news stories:
Current
News stories from yahoo.com
EchoStar
Sues Competitor DirecTV
EchoStar-DirecTV
merger would face antitrust issues, expert says
Eddy
Hartenstein of DirecTV
Sources
Hughes Electronics Inc.
DirecTV
Hughes Network Systems
Echostar Communications
Hollywood Reporter
Yahoo
Rocky Mountain News
Satisfied Mind
Hoovers Online
11/26/00
Lucas Amos
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