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Satellite TV Providers in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Alex Petridis Alex Petridis New York, United States Last Updated: September 2024 NAICS 51711b

Revenue

$40.2bn

2024

$40.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

70,745

Businesses

413

Wages

$X.Xbn

Satellite TV Providers in the US industry analysis

Satellite TV providers distribute TV programs on a subscription or fee basis through direct broadcast satellites. These providers have struggled with intense competition from online streaming services, fueling a depression in subscriber rates. As a result, revenue has fallen at an estimated CAGR of 6.4% to $40.2 billion through the end of 2024, with an expected drop of 3.1% in 2024 alone. New networks, boosted channel options and bonus features have padded satellite TV providers from extreme slumps, as providers have been able to charge high rates to existing customers with these additional services. Companies attempt to compensate by selling higher-margin services to existing customers to mitigate shrinking subscriber numbers. Also, providers lock in a segment of revenue for a period of time, as subscribers to satellite TV are on a contract for usually a year or two. These reasons explain why satellite TV profit as a percentage of revenue has remained relatively steady despite poor industry performance.

Trends and Insights

  • A dying industry, satellite TV is on its way out of relevancy. The massive popularity of streaming services among younger audiences signals a fast-approaching expiration date for satellite TV providers.
  • The primary consumers of satellite TV are people aged 50 and older. This poses a dilemma for providers, as younger generations are not drawn to traditional TV because of streaming and the internet.
  • Satellite TV providers operate in areas with a dense population to maximize visibility and reach as many consumers as possible. The Southeast is home to the bulk of the US population and, consequentially, the most satellite TV providers.
  • AT&T and Dish Network control nearly half of the satellite TV market, giving them a significant edge. However, expanding their hold is challenging as competition and market conditions make growth difficult.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 6.4 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $40.2bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Profitability is challenged by stiff competition

  • Satellite TV providers encounter high initial costs. Still, these costs decline as companies gain each additional subscriber. Most providers outsource in-home product installation and setup services, like satellite dishes and digital video recorders (DVR).
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Satellite TV Providers in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Increased desire for multiplatform streaming

  • Many consumers, particularly younger ones, increasingly prefer watching video content on computers, tablets and smartphones rather than on TV. Multiplatform viewing is anticipated to continue to be a competitive external threat to the industry.

Biggest companies in the Satellite TV Providers in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Dish Network Corporation
11,083.7
1,643.5
14.8
At&T Inc.
10,920.1
1,946.2
17.8
Sonifi Solutions, Inc.
121.1
11.0
9.1

To view the market share and analysis for all 5 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Satellite TV Providers in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Basic programming, Premium programming and Pay-per-view. Basic programming is the largest segment of the Satellite TV Providers in the US.

Trends and Insights

Basic programming packages are the industry's foundation

  • Basic Programming provides a standard package of television channels at an affordable price. This segment attracts a broad customer base due to affordability, securing a large share of new and budget-conscious users. Reliable subscription fees generate a steady and predictable revenue stream, which is essential for long-term financial stability.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Satellite TV providers distribute TV programs on a subscription or fee basis through direct broadcast satellites. These TV providers also include multipoint distribution system operators that deliver wireless TV programming using ground stations. However, these companies operate in rural areas and have a negligible impact on satellite TV performance. These providers exclude broadcast TV networks and other satellite telecommunications providers.

What's included in this industry?

Providing basic satellite TV programmingProviding premium satellite TV programmingProviding pay-per-view satellite TV programming

Companies

Dish Network CorporationAt&T Inc.Sonifi Solutions, Inc.

Purchase this report to view all 5 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

DIRECT BROADCAST SATELLITE (DBS)PROGRAMMINGFEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION (FCC)CHURN RATEDIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER (DVR)MILLENNIALS

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 517311 - Satellite TV Providers in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

A dying industry, satellite TV is on its way out of relevancy. The massive popularity of streaming services among younger audiences signals a fast-approaching expiration date...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

The primary consumers of satellite TV are people aged 50 and older. This poses a dilemma for providers, as younger generations are not drawn to traditional TV because of stre...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Satellite TV providers operate in areas with a dense population to maximize visibility and reach as many consumers as possible. The Southeast is home to the bulk of the US po...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

AT&T and Dish Network control nearly half of the satellite TV market, giving them a significant edge. However, expanding their hold is challenging as competition and market c...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Dish is utilizing the Verica Continuous Verification Platform (CVP) to strengthen its 5G Smart Network. Dish will use the CVP to identify and fix software issues that may ari...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Dish Network Corporation's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of At&T Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Sonifi Solutions, Inc.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 2 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Dish Network Corporation, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for At&T Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Sonifi Solutions, Inc., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 2 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Satellite TV regulations ensure fair content access and consumer privacy. The FCC enforces rules like the Must-Carry and Retransmission Consent to balance broadcaster and vie...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Technological advancements are slashing transmission costs for satellite providers. By sharing rocket launches and using new materials, companies are cutting expenses, allowi...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in United States is $40.2bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in 2024?

There are 413 businesses in the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 3.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in United States has been declining at a CAGR of 6.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in United States is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Satellite TV Providers in the US market in United States?

The biggest companies operating in the Satellite TV Providers market in United States are Dish Network Corporation, At&T Inc. and Sonifi Solutions, Inc.

What does the Satellite TV Providers in the US in United States include?

Providing basic satellite TV programming and Providing premium satellite TV programming are part of the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Satellite TV Providers in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Dish Network Corporation.

How competitive is the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Satellite TV Providers in the US industry in United States.

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Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

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