Rise of Satellite Television Broadcasting (1962–1985)

1. Telstar 1 enables first public transatlantic TV

   Jul 23, 1962Labels: Telstar 1, Transatlantic TV, Low Earth

   • Telstar
   • Wired

2. Communications Satellite Act creates COMSAT

   Aug 31, 1962Labels: Communications Satellite, COMSAT, United States

   • NASA
   • US Code

3. Syncom 2 launched into geosynchronous orbit

   Jul 26, 1963Labels: Syncom 2, Geosynchronous Orbit, Communications Satellite

   • Britannica
   • Syncom

4. Syncom 3 launched as first geostationary comsat

   Aug 19, 1964Labels: Syncom 3, Geostationary Orbit, Communications Satellite

   • Britannica
   • Guinness

5. Tokyo Olympics televised internationally via satellites

   Oct 10, 1964Labels: 1964 Tokyo, Syncom 3, International TV

   • Britannica
   • Olympics

6. Intelsat I “Early Bird” begins commercial service

   Jun 28, 1965Labels: Intelsat I, Early Bird, Commercial Satellite

   • Intelsat I

7. Anik A1 launches as first domestic geostationary comsat

   Nov 9, 1972Labels: Anik A1, Canada, Domestic Satellite

   • IEEE
   • IEEE Model

8. Westar 1 launches as first U.S. domestic comsat

   Apr 13, 1974Labels: Westar 1, Western Union, U S

   • Westar 1
   • MIT

9. SITE begins educational direct-reception TV in India

   Aug 1, 1975Labels: SITE, ATS-6, India

   • SITE
   • IJHS

10. HBO delivers continuous satellite signal for Thrilla in Manila

    Sep 30, 1975Labels: HBO, Thrilla in, Satellite Delivery

    • Manila Fight
    • MBC

11. Satcom 1 launched, expanding U.S. video distribution capacity

    Dec 12, 1975Labels: Satcom 1, RCA, Video Distribution

    • SES Americom
    • MIT

12. WTCG becomes an early satellite-delivered “superstation”

    Dec 17, 1976Labels: WTCG, Superstation, Satcom 1

    • TBS History
    • SES Americom

13. FCC permits home satellite earth stations without a license

    Oct 18, 1979Labels: FCC, Home Earth, United States

    • TVRO

14. Eutelsat I-F1 launches, boosting European satellite TV

    Jun 16, 1983Labels: EUTELSAT I-F1, Eutelsat, Europe

    • Eutelsat F1
    • Eutelsat

15. Cable Communications Policy Act clarifies satellite signal reception

    Oct 30, 1984Labels: Cable Communications, U S, Satellite Reception

    • TVRO