4. Introduction Hughes Electronics stands on a threshold
of vast telecommunications opportunities around the world.
Everywhere we look, we see strong demand for low-cost
advanced communications — for networks of telephones,
televisions and computers that will handle the boundless
flows of conversation, entertainment, information and
S AT E L L I T E S • D I R E C P C ™ • T R A N S P O N D E R L E A S I N G • D I R E C T V ® • S AT E L L I T E F L E E T S •
business data fundamental to modern existence.
To tap these global possibilities, we are leveraging the
company’s leadership in designing and building satellites
and wireless systems into delivering innovative
communications services to businesses and homes.
We are using our rich store of technologies, talents and
other assets to lead global markets, build our businesses
and create new value for shareholders.
5. CONTENTS
Message to Shareholders
See Page 2
Financial Highlights
See Page 5
I N T E R N E T • S H A R E D H U B S • P E R S O N A L C O M M U N I C AT I O N S
Hughes at a Glance
See page 6
Hughes Space &
Communications
See Page 8
Hughes Network
Systems
See Page 12
PanAmSat
See Page 16
DIRECTV Global
See Page 20
Emerging Businesses
See Page 24
Research & Development
vısıon
See Page 25
Operating and
Financial Review
See Page 26
6. Message to Shareholders
2
Left to right:
Charles H. Noski,
Michael T. Smith,
Steven D. Dorfman
Following the spin-off of its defense and automotive businesses, the new
Hughes, as a telecommunications and space-focused company, is uniquely
qualified to take advantage of unprecedented growth opportunities around
the world.
The surging demand for entertainment, business networking, Internet
access, mobile telephony, and development of communications infrastruc-
tures has led businesses and consumers everywhere to turn to satellite and
wireless technologies, which are unparalleled in their ability to provide fast,
far-reaching and cost-effective communications.
Hughes is the market leader in four major industry segments that supply
this demand – satellite manufacturing, wholesale satellite distribution ser-
vices, telecommunication networks, and satellite television broadcast directly
1997
to the consumer. Through the innovative products and services that we
designed and introduced, we have not only carved out new markets in these
areas, but continue to set the standards for quality and service.
7. 3
To bolster our position as the world’s para- increase DIRECTV’s subscriber growth.
mount satellite and wireless company, we have The success of DIRECTV in the U.S. has posi-
adopted the following key strategies: tioned us to develop similar services in other parts
• Maintain technology and market leadership of the world. Galaxy Latin America, launched in
in each main business segment; 1996, already leads the direct-to-home market
• Continue to leverage systems competencies to throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
move into faster growing telecommunica- And DIRECTV Japan, inaugurated at the end of
tions services; 1997, will help meet the pent-up demand for
• Offer integrated systems solutions, and dif- high-quality multi-channel service in a nation of
ferentiated products and services; and 40 million TV households.
• Achieve on average, over the next five years, 20 In our other principal service business,
percent annual growth in revenues and an even PanAmSat, the world’s leading commercial
higher growth rate in earnings, and continue to provider of satellite-based communications services,
emphasize creation of shareholder value. expanded its global constellation to 17 satellites fol-
Perhaps the success of our DIRECTV business lowing the merger with Hughes’ Galaxy fleet and a
best exemplifies these strategies. By exploiting our number of recent successful satellite launches.
advanced satellite manufacturing technology, Today, PanAmSat is the only commercial satellite
DIRECTV® was first to offer digital television operator in the world that can provide one-stop
through a small (18-inch) dish and has since shopping for national, regional and global distribu-
become the most successful product rollout in U.S. tion services, a key reason why it has an 80 percent
consumer electronics history. DIRECTV has added fleet utilization rate and a large backlog.
approximately one million new subscribers per To meet the accelerating demand for satellite ser-
year and is in one out of every 28 homes in the vices, PanAmSat plans to deploy seven new satellites
United States. Today, DIRECTV has more sub- by the end of 1999, increasing transponder capacity
scribers than the other two major satellite-TV ser- by over 60 percent. This new capacity will satisfy
vices combined, and nearly 80 percent of our new the expected continuing strong demand for tradi-
customers come from areas already served by cable tional services such as video broadcasting, while at
television providers. the same time accommodating the anticipated
To strengthen our market leading position, demand for newer services such as Internet access
DIRECTV will continue to offer simplified, more and other interactive multimedia applications.
affordable consumer packages and also new ser- Hughes Space & Communications Company
vices, including Internet access and the nation’s (HSC), our satellite manufacturing unit, increased
first high-definition television programming. its market share in 1997 as it continued to win
Additionally, we are pursuing new approaches over 50 percent of all competitions, and ended the
to distribution and marketing, such as our recent year with a backlog of nearly $4 billion and 36
agreement with two regional telephone operating satellites. This year we expect to launch more
companies, Bell Atlantic and SBC Communications, satellites than ever before, among them our first
which will use their strong local presence to mid-earth orbit satellite for ICO’s worldwide
8. 4
hand-held phone service, and our newest satellite, tion for Delco Electronics and other factors repre-
the HS 702, with nearly twice the power and capac- sented a significant premium to public comparables.
ity of our popular HS 601. Additionally, the $4.0 billion in cash received by the
In 1997, Hughes Network Systems (HNS) con- new Hughes as a result of these transactions has sub-
tinued to be the worldwide leader with its more than stantially enhanced our balance sheet.
60 percent market share in satellite-based private As Hughes turns a new corner in its long and
business networks, and ended the year with a record successful history, we are mindful of the pivotal role
backlog of $1.1 billion. The company’s terrestrial our company has played in this nation’s defense and
wireless telephony operation continues to win in the development of safer, more efficient automo-
important business that positions it for future tive products. Much of our success can be attributed
growth. HNS’ most notable opportunity is to supply to the outstanding employees with whom we have
equipment for – and also to operate – a major tele- had the honor to work. We wish them all the best in
phone system in Maharashtra, India, that nation’s their new roles at Raytheon and Delphi, two busi-
wealthiest state and the backbone of its business and nesses that are now positioned to be world leaders
financial infrastructure. in their respective areas.
Meanwhile, HNS’ DirecPC™ service continues However, as we look forward to the vast opportu-
to build demand around the world for consumers nities in every corner of the globe, we sense that what
seeking affordable, high-speed access to the has gone before is but a prelude to the most exciting
Internet via satellite. and rewarding period in the ongoing Hughes story.
Looking ahead, our SPACEWAY™ program, now Given our experienced management team, strong
in development, represents one of the next major market leadership, innovative products and services,
opportunities to leverage our systems competencies and sound balance sheet, we believe we are well posi-
for early entrance into a fast-growing telecommuni- tioned to take advantage of the enormous worldwide
cations market. SPACEWAY will tap the tremendous growth opportunities in telecommunications.
potential of the next generation in ultra-fast global
two-way communications of voice, video and data
by using the new Ka-band frequency.
With this unique combination of businesses capa-
ble of offering cost-effective telecommunications
Michael T. Smith
solutions, we are poised for strong financial growth Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
and generation of exceptional shareholder value.
Our focus on shareholder value was most recently
illustrated by completion of the Hughes Transactions Charles H. Noski
that included the spin-off of Hughes Defense fol- President
lowed by its merger with Raytheon Company, and
the transfer of Delco Electronics to General Motors’
Delphi Automotive Systems. The $9.8 billion valua- Steven D. Dorfman
tion for Hughes Defense and the $6.5 billion valua- Vice Chairman
9. Hughes Electronics Corporation 5
Financial Highlights*
1997 1996 1995
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
FOR THE YEAR
Revenues $ 5,128 $ 4,009 $ 3,153
Earnings 471 184 27
% of Revenues 9.2 % 4.6 % 0.9 %
Operating Profit $ 306 $ 210 $ 172
% of Revenues 6.0 % 5.2 % 5.5 %
Pro Forma Earnings Attributable to General Motors
Class H Common Stock
Total $ 119 $ 45 $ 7
Per Share 1.18 0.46 0.07
Average Number of Shares of
GM Class H Common Stock
Outstanding (in millions) 101.5 98.4 95.5
Capital Expenditures (1) $ 827 $ 449 $ 442
Research and Development Expenses 120 95 75
Return on Equity (2) 9.5 % 8.9 % 1.4 %
(3)
Pre-Tax Return on Total Assets 8.2 % 8.0 % 3.8 %
AT YEAR-END
Cash and Cash Equivalents $ 2,784 $ 7 $ 8
Backlog 10,338 6,781 7,057
Number of Employees (in thousands) 14 12 10
* Financial Highlights are unaudited and exclude purchase accounting adjustments related to GM’s acquisition of Hughes Aircraft Company. See further discussion
regarding the basis of presentation in Note 1 to the financial statements.
(1) Includes expenditures for satellites of $575 million in 1997, $188 million in 1996 and $275 million in 1995.
(2) Earnings Used for Pro Forma Computation of Available Separate Consolidated Net Income divided by average owner’s equity (General Motors’ equity
in its wholly-owned subsidiary, Hughes Electronics). Holders of GM Class H common stock have no direct rights in the equity or assets of Hughes
Electronics, but rather have rights in the equity and assets of GM (which includes 100% of the stock of Hughes Electronics).
(3) Income from continuing operations before income taxes and extraordinary item divided by average total assets.
10. hughes at a glance
Systems & Hardware
Two Hughes businesses focus principally on markets for satellite-based and ground-based
communications systems and hardware. Both Hughes units are recognized for their superb
technology, efficient manufacturing capabilities and track records of market leadership.
Hughes Space & Hughes Network
Communications (HSC) Systems (HNS)
manufactures satellites and payloads, builds and services satellite-based
including the industry’s newest, largest private business networks and
and most powerful spacecraft, the HS terrestrial wireless telephone sys-
702, and the industry’s two most pop- tems around the world. It also manufactures equipment for
ular spacecraft, the HS 601 and HS 376. DIRECTV, Hughes’ digital direct-to-home television service, and
for DirecPC, our high-speed Internet access service.
HSC’S COMPETITIVE EDGE INCLUDES:
• more than 50% share of the competed world market for HNS’ COMPETITIVE EDGE INCLUDES:
geosynchronous satellites over the past several years; • more than 60% share of the world market for interactive
• industry-leading technologies and spacecraft reliability; VSATs (very small aperture terminals);
• high-volume, low-cost manufacturing, and short delivery • leadership in the world market for wireless local loop tele-
schedules; and phone systems;
• ability to offer integrated systems solutions. • advanced, market-driven digital technology; and
• partnership in an exclusive license to provide telephone
HSC’S STRATEGIES ARE TO:
• maintain its number one position in the world in commercial equipment and services to India’s wealthiest states.
satellites, while leading the industry in technology and reliability; HNS’ STRATEGIES ARE TO:
• strengthen competitiveness and profitability by further • maintain leadership in its core business of satellite-based
improving its manufacturing productivity and cycle times; communications networks and systems;
• assure affordable access to space; • continue its international growth in wireless local loop
• maintain a favorable mix of government and commercial telephone systems;
sales; and • increase distribution of DirecPC and DirecDuo services and
• leverage advanced technology to gain a competitive accelerate subscriber growth; and
advantage in emerging communications services. • develop the new Indian telephone service business into
a significant source of future value.
1997 VS. 1996 1997 VS. 1996
INCREASE/(DECREASE) INCREASE/(DECREASE)
Revenues $2,491.9 million 21.2% Revenues $1,011.3 million (5.5)%
Operating Profit $226.3 million 23.5% Operating Profit $74.1 million (31.2)%
Operating Margin 9.1% 0.2 pts. Operating Margin 7.3% (2.8) pts.
18.7%
46.1%
HNS Percent of Hughes Revenues
HSC Percent of Hughes Revenues
Note: Revenues, operating profit and percentage of revenues exclude purchase accounting adjustments related to General Motors’ acquisition of Hughes Aircraft Company, “Eliminations” and “Other” (see Note 19 on page 57).
11. Services
Two Hughes businesses focus principally on high-growth markets for entertainment and communi-
cations services. Both Hughes units are distinguished by their ability to get to market quickly, pro-
vide exemplary customer service and maintain leadership in emerging global markets.
PanAmSat DIRECTV Global
GALAXY IR
PAS-2
GALAXY IX
GALAXY V
SBS 5
180º
GALAXY IV
GALAXY VIII-i
GALAXY IIIR
serves U.S. and international uses satellites, compact dishes and
customers with a global fleet of digital receivers to provide hundreds
GALAXY VII
90º W
SBS-4
spacecraft. PanAmSat, owned of channels to TV viewers on three
71.5% by Hughes, provides continents. The first high-powered
SBS-6
GALAXY VI
PAS-1
PAS-5
0º
satellite distribution services to all-digital direct-to-home television
PAS-3
PAS-6
meet the growing demand of service in the United States offers
television networks, cable TV providers, direct-to-home TV 185 video channels to more than 3.3 million subscribers.
broadcasters, telephone carriers and Internet service providers. Working with local partners, Hughes also has successfully
introduced DIRECTV throughout Latin America and the
PANAMSAT’S COMPETITIVE EDGE INCLUDES:
• unmatched global coverage through 17 satellites with over Caribbean, and into Japan.
520 transponders; DIRECTV GLOBAL’S COMPETITIVE EDGE INCLUDES:
• large backlog and long-term contracts with “blue chip” • rapidly growing subscriber base;
customers; and • worldwide franchise and brand name recognition;
• valuable orbital slots to optimize current operations and • differentiated programming and reputation for quality and
fuel future growth. customer service; and
• multiple equipment manufacturers and broad distribution
PANAMSAT’S STRATEGIES ARE TO:
• build loyalty of customers by continuing to offer them networks.
one-stop shopping for national, regional or global DIRECTV GLOBAL’S STRATEGIES ARE TO:
satellite transmissions; • build market share through aggressive marketing and by
• provide innovative value-added services such as satellite making consumer offers more affordable and simpler;
“neighborhoods”; and • increase subscriber value by offering superior programming
• expand its satellite fleet and introduce valuable new satellite choices and unparalleled customer service; and
distribution services and applications such as Internet access. • broaden its distribution networks.
1997 VS. 1996 1997 VS. 1996
INCREASE/(DECREASE) INCREASE/(DECREASE)
Revenues $629.9 million 30.5% Revenues $1,276.9 million 105.6%
Operating Profit $296.2 million 22.2% Operating Loss $(254.6) million N/A
Operating Margin 47.0% (3.2) pts.
23.6%
11.6%
DIRECTV Global
PanAmSat
Percent of Hughes Revenues
Percent of Hughes Revenues
7
HUGHES ELECTRONICS CORPOR ATION 19 7 7 Y E A R I N R E V I E W
12. space &
8 Hughes
communications
Hughes Space & Communications Company their scheduled retirement dates.
(HSC) builds spacecraft, payloads and complete sys- Technical advances continually improve the
tems for commercial customers worldwide and for performance, reliability and versatility of HSC’s
the Department of Defense, the National satellites and cut production time. In fact, HSC
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and now offers satellite delivery times of 14 months for
other U.S. government agencies. the HS 376 and 22 months for the HS 601, repre-
HSC offers the industry’s leading communications senting cycle time improvements of more than 50
satellites. The HS 601 family of body-stabilized satel- percent and 40 percent, respectively, since 1992.
lites provides a wide range of power and payload The company enjoys a mix of government and
packages. The ultra-reliable spin-stabilized HS 376 commercial business, with approximately 36% of
series offers an exceptional combination of versatility, 1997 revenues from government customers. At
value and short delivery times. Through 1997, a total year-end, it had orders for 36 spacecraft worth
of 65 HS 601s and 53 HS 376s have been built or nearly $4 billion from companies and government
ordered, making them the most popular large com- agencies in nine countries.
mercial satellites in the marketplace. The HS 702 is To ensure access to space for its customers at
Hughes’ newest, largest and most powerful spacecraft, competitive prices, HSC has long-term agreements
and will nearly double the number of transponders for 56 future launches by five of the world’s top
and power of the basic HS 601. By year-end 1997, launch providers. And it has designed launch versa-
three HS 702s were on order from PanAmSat. tility into its spacecraft so that, for instance, the HS
601 family of satellites can be carried into orbit by
Strengths most of the world’s launch vehicles.
HSC’s key strengths include its industry-leading
technologies, manufacturing efficiency and space- 1997 Accomplishments
craft reliability. Over the last 35 years, HSC has HSC has won over 50% of the dollar value of all
produced more than 165 satellites – in recent years competitive bids in the last several years. In 1997, an
at a rate averaging one a month. Its commercial important win was a $960 million contract from
communications spacecraft have accumulated near- Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company of
ly 900 years in orbit, more than twice HSC’s nearest the United Arab Emirates for a satellite-based mobile
competitor. And HSC’s satellites have achieved the communications system serving dozens of countries
highest reliability rate in the industry, with over from Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle
99% channel availability. More than 95% of its East to Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
spacecraft have remained in service beyond The Thuraya system will incorporate a new series
13.
14. space &
Hughes
communications
10
of Hughes satellites derived from the HS 702 design: Its xenon ion propulsion system (XIPS) was devel-
the HS-GEM (for “geostationary mobile communi- oped and built by Hughes. XIPS enables spacecraft
cations”) spacecraft employs advanced digital pro- to maintain orbital position more efficiently by rely-
cessing and a large antenna to create many spot ing on electric propulsion rather than chemical
beams that allow telephone calls to be directed to propulsion. It can reduce by as much as 90% the
specific users. propellant mass that must be carried aboard a satel-
Other contract awards came from customers in lite. This weight savings can be used to cut launch
Mexico, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the U.S. In costs, increase payload, or carry more xenon fuel to
addition, HSC continued to construct a fleet of 12 extend the spacecraft’s lifetime.
satellites for ICO Global Communications for delivery Under U.S. government contracts, HSC contin-
beginning in late 1998. These advanced spacecraft, ued to build spacecraft and related systems for vari-
which will be launched into mid-earth orbit to create ous military and civil satellite communications pro-
ICO’s planned worldwide mobile hand-held tele- jects and classified programs. For instance: NASA
phone system, will feature digital transmission of Tracking and Data Relay Satellites; U.S. Air Force
voice, data, facsimile and messaging services. Milstar payloads; and U.S. Navy UHF Follow-On
HSC celebrated a dual technological achievement satellites and Global Broadcast Service payloads.
in August with the launch of PAS-5 for PanAmSat. Early in 1998, HSC won an important contract
It is one of the most powerful commercial satellites worth more than $400 million (with options that
in orbit, an HS 601 HP (for high powered) model. could increase its value an additional $400 million)
It generates 9.7 kilowatts through the first commer- to build weather satellites for NASA and the
cial use of highly efficient dual-junction gallium National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.
arsenide solar cells – developed by Hughes scientists A new HSC subsidiary, Hughes Global Services,
– that offer nearly double the efficiency of tradition- Inc., is selling satellite services to customers, primar-
al silicon-based solar cells. ily government agencies, that do not require full-
PAS-5 is also the first commercial satellite using a time, dedicated satellites.
new kind of onboard propulsion for stationkeeping.
Left, HSC controllers monitor
commercial satellites during
their flight into space, orbital
positioning and testing.
Center, Technicians check
JCSAT-4, HSC’s fourth spacecraft
for Japan Satellite Systems, Inc.,
before its successful launch.
Far right, Artist’s drawing of the
high-powered HS 376 being built
for a Scandinavian direct-to-
home television service and
scheduled for launch in 1998.
15. 1998 Goals and Outlook As a satellite manufacturing and services company whose
diverse operations complement and work closely with one another,
1998 promises many important milestones: HSC
Hughes is uniquely positioned
expects a record number of its satellites to be
to anticipate and respond to
launched, including its first spacecraft for ICO and
markets with offerings that no
its first HS 702, both in the fourth quarter. This
competitor can match. The com-
HS 702, PanAmSat’s Galaxy XI, also will be the first
pany’s full range of capabilities
satellite launched from a mobile ocean-going plat- recently led to several opportuni-
form anchored at sea. This approach allows greater ties to provide overall systems
flexibility in placing spacecraft into optimal orbits solutions for customers.
at lower cost. For example, HSC is design-
In both commercial and government satellite ing and building a fleet of a
markets, HSC anticipates growing opportunities as dozen advanced satellites for
global demand increases for mobile telephone sys- ICO Global Communications’ mobile telephone system. HNS is a
member of the team building the system’s ground stations. HSC
tems, direct satellite broadcast of television, wide-
also is designing and building a complete regional satellite-based
band services, and other telecommunications ser-
mobile communications system for the Thuraya Satellite
vices tailored to users’ requirements. This upsurge is
Telecommunications Company. HNS and other team members will
clearly pointed to by industry-wide forecasts of near-
provide Thuraya’s integrated ground systems and control software,
ly 1,700 satellites worth $121 billion to be launched
plus 235,000 hand-held telephones.
over the next decade.
Other projects that will similarly exploit the synergies among
In addition to building satellites for geosynchro-
Hughes’ four principal businesses are in the works. This spring,
nous orbit and mid-earth orbit, HSC will pursue
DIRECTV, along with Ethnic American Broadcasting Company, plans to
opportunities to construct satellites for low-earth
offer U.S. subscribers a 20-channel ethnic programming service using
orbit. And it expects to develop new payloads for
a satellite built by HSC, operated by PanAmSat and employing a special
advanced communications systems to make broad-
receiving dish and set-top receiver designed and produced by HNS.
band and multimedia applications cost-effective.
300
2.5
2.0
200 12
12
11
ESTIMATED
1.5 9
COMMERCIAL
1.0
100
0.5
GOVERNMENT
94 95 96 97 98
94 95 96 97 94 95 96 97
Satellite Mfg. Average Revenue Satellite Launches
Satellite Manufacturing Revenues
per Employee ($Thousands) ($Millions)
16. network
12
Hughes
systems
Hughes Network Systems (HNS) builds satellite- pioneered the VSAT market and remains the indus-
based communications networks and rural tele- try leader today by offering customers superior,
phone systems worldwide using very small aperture market-driven technology and performance, while
terminals called “VSATs.” It manufactures the taking advantage of high volumes to lower costs.
AIReach™ family of products for wireless local Its wireless local loop telephone systems are
loop telephone systems and, in addition, mobile operating in Russia, the Czech Republic, Brazil,
and PCS (personal communications system) cellu- Vietnam, Indonesia and Malawi. In fact, there are
lar telephone systems for system operators. HNS now approximately one million wireless lines under
has installed its networks and systems in over 60 contract, and HNS expects to garner further busi-
nations and provides around-the-clock support ness opportunities as the deregulation and privatiza-
and services for them, and it operates a shared-hub tion of national telephone systems continues.
VSAT service for many customers. The company Wireless local loop systems enable telephone com-
also manufactures subscriber equipment for recep- panies to provide service to customers quickly. In
tion of Hughes’ digital direct-to-home television areas that do not have terrestrial telephone infra-
service, DIRECTV. structure in place or are rapidly outgrowing existing
Further, HNS operates two emerging service capacity, wireless local loop offers a cost-effective,
businesses (for which it manufactures equipment flexible and easily implemented solution.
as well). With its DirecPC™ system, the company In cellular telephony, HNS has supplied systems
provides a high-speed link to the Internet for com- in over 50 U.S. markets supporting roughly two
puter users in many parts of the world. And, as a million cellular subscribers.
result of an exclusive license award in India, HNS For both end-user and carrier customers using
will supply telephone service to potentially millions terrestrial networks, HNS’ new line of Radiant™
of customers through Hughes Ispat Ltd., a compa- switches and network management systems helps
ny in which Hughes is a shareholder. extend the reach of high-speed data networks and
can interconnect tens of thousands of new users at
Strengths multiple locations. HNS’ Radiant™ products also
Worldwide, through 1997, HNS had under con- offer customers the ability to expand their business
tract more than 170,000 interactive VSATs and networks to support voice, video and data.
50,000 Telephony Earth Station VSATs for use in DirecPC, which HNS created, provides unprece-
satellite communications networks set up by com- dented speed to Internet users nationwide. At 14
panies, government agencies and universities to times faster than standard modems, it is the fastest
transmit and receive data, voice and video. HNS Internet access service available throughout the U.S.
17.
18. network
Hughes
systems
14
systems, installing a second system in Vietnam and
1997 Accomplishments
signing a contract to set up major systems in the
With several important new contract wins in
Ukraine and India.
1997, HNS maintained its lead in the interactive
To help win customers for its DirecPC service,
VSAT market, where it holds more than a 60%
HNS has signed up more than 2,000 sales outlets
share worldwide. In the former Soviet Union, two
across the U.S. and licensed numerous service
contracts for VSAT networks were won in
providers to sell DirecPC internationally. In the
Kazakhstan, plus contracts in Russia and Tajikistan,
U.S., sales outlets include retail chains such as
and a system was deployed in the Ukraine. A 1,000-
CompUSA, Staples and Circuit City. In Europe,
VSAT system was ordered by HNS’ subsidiary in
where DirecPC has been introduced in more than a
New Delhi, and a smaller VSAT network began
dozen countries so far, sales have been especially
operations linking two of India’s stock exchanges to
strong to the automotive and financial services sec-
member brokers across the country.
tors. DirecPC is also available in Canada, India,
Other VSAT systems were sold to China for use
Japan and South Korea.
in a nationwide paging network, to Turkey to pro-
HNS has introduced new software enabling
vide telephone services in rural areas, and to leading
DirecPC to offer the first “push” services available
companies in Italy, Mexico and the U.S. In
anywhere by satellite transmission. Push services
Thailand, a rural VSAT network built by HNS
automatically download information from the
enables the nation’s telephone company to provide
Internet and store it in subscribers’ personal com-
telephone services to more than 4,000 villages.
puters, thus giving them access to news and infor-
Across the U.S., HNS installed about 13,500
mation files routinely and quickly, and helping
VSATs in 1997, a 13% increase over the previous
them avoid time-consuming Internet searches.
year. Included was the completion in July of a VSAT
DirecDuo™, a new product that paves the way
system linking more than 5,000 of Mobil
for the convergence of PCs and TV sets, was
Corporation’s gasoline stations. HNS deployed and
launched by HNS in 1997. With a single 21-inch
implemented this large network in fewer than 12
elliptical satellite dish, it brings the Internet and
months, achieving a significant milestone.
other data to users’ personal computers and
HNS also maintained its world-leading share in
DIRECTV to their television sets.
emerging markets for wireless local loop telephone
DirecPC and DirecDuo are These HNS-built antennas,
HNS’ solution to the demand called very small aperture
for high-speed distribution of terminals (VSATs), were
data, video files and TV installed on the grounds of
programs. With DirecPC, the Delhi stock exchange
computer files travel via the in 1997. They are part of
Internet and satellite straight a new VSAT network that
to subscribers’ computers. links member brokers
And DirecDuo’s 21-inch across India to facilitate
elliptical dish delivers all of securities trading, HNS
DirecPC’s features to leads the world in
subscribers’ computers, plus installing and operating
DIRECTV to their TV sets. VSAT networks.
19. In India, a local company that HNS partly owns has received an
During 1997, new orders for HNS’ wide range of
exclusive government license to provide basic and value-added
telecommunications equipment and services reached a
telephone services within the states of Maharashtra and Goa start-
record $1.6 billion.
ing in 1998. The partnership’s service area – which includes India’s
thriving financial and business center, the city of Mumbai (Bombay)
1998 Goals and Outlook
– has more than 80 million potential telephone customers.
Developing countries around the world realize the
necessity of building up communications infrastruc-
ture as rapidly as possible. Communications is the
gateway to the global economy. HNS provides such
nations with a way to avoid the high cost and long
delays associated with installing extensive terrestrial
communications lines. Instead, these countries can
leapfrog directly to a state-of-the-art communications
infrastructure using satellite-based networks and
wireless local loop telephone systems. As a result,
HNS expects worldwide demand for its products and
services to continue growing.
In 1998, HNS intends to make DirecPC available
Maharashtra is considered the wealthiest state in India, with per
in virtually every country in Europe, as well as
capita income 50% higher than the national average.
throughout Latin America and across Asia. It is work-
Late in 1997, HNS signed an agreement to initially provide the
ing to establish DirecPC as the global standard for
partnership with wireless local loop telephone systems and other
high-speed multimedia transmissions via satellite to
advanced communications equipment. The contract for equipment
personal computers in the home, small office and
and related services is expected to be worth approximately $500
corporate markets. And the company hopes to attract
million to HNS over the next three years.
more subscribers by making DirecPC equipment eas-
ier to use, reducing prices, and improving distribu-
tion by creating more points of sale.
3.0 180
$1.1
160
2.0
$.6 140
$.5
1.0
120
100
94 95 96 97 94 95 96 97
95 96 97
HNS Backlog (Billions) Cumulative Wireless Telephone Lines Cumulative Interactive VSATs
Under Contract (Millions) Under Contract (Thousands)
20. PanAmSat
16
As a result of the 1997 merger with Hughes emerging markets. Further, the company’s global
Galaxy Communications, PanAmSat Corporation satellite network is designed to maximize effective-
(71.5% owned by Hughes) now provides satellite ser- ness and efficiency for users around the world.
vices to hundreds of cable TV programmers and tele- Nearly 99% of the world’s population is within its
vision broadcasters across North and South America, coverage area. In addition to its well-positioned
Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. In addi- current fleet, PanAmSat has valuable orbital slots
tion, the company serves seven current or planned for future satellite launches, both in the traditional
direct-to-home TV services aimed at the Americas, C-band and Ku-band frequencies and in the higher
South Africa, the Middle East and India. And, world- Ka-band frequency. Additional license applications
wide, its satellites provide telecommunications ser- are pending for Ka-band and V-band frequencies.
vices and Internet access to numerous carriers and PanAmSat is a one-stop provider of value-added
businesses, including Hughes Network Systems. satellite services: it is the only commercial company
The merger achieved a seamless integration of capable of providing national, regional and world-
two complementary systems, the U.S. Galaxy® satel- wide coverage. Another advantage is its prime cable
lite fleet and the “old” PanAmSat’s international fleet TV and broadcast TV satellites, often called “neigh-
of spacecraft. Now, as its customers’ business inter- borhoods.” Because popular programming is deliv-
ests increasingly become global, the new PanAmSat’s ered over these satellites, they also become popular
17 spacecraft in orbit – combining over 520 neighborhoods for cable and broadcast system
transponders – are in heavy demand. PanAmSats’ operators when they are accessing programming for
services also seed a fast-growing global market for their viewers. As a result, other programmers have a
television, business networks and Internet access. good reason to join the channel lineup. Thus, both
In fact, Internet service providers in nearly 30 coun- customer groups, programmers as well as cable and
tries already obtain their access to the U.S. Internet broadcast companies, have a strong incentive to stay
backbone over PanAmSat’s global satellite system. with PanAmSat.
Most of PanAmSat’s services are sold under long- PanAmSat also enjoys significant revenue diver-
term contracts, typically 10 years, resulting in a sig- sification, both geographically and in serving three
nificant backlog that produces strong and pre- major markets: video distribution, direct-to-home
dictable cash flows. television and telecommunications services. Its cus-
tomers include blue chip broadcasters such as the
Strengths BBC, Disney, NHK, Time Warner and Viacom,
PanAmSat is the world’s leading commercial major corporations such as GM, Citicorp and Wal-
provider of satellite-based communications services, Mart, and worldwide news organizations, including
and is recognized as a leader both in established and the Associated Press and Reuters.
21.
22. PanAmSat
18
Communications, Inc. and the BBC. Together, they
1997 Accomplishments
plan to transmit more than 20 cable TV channels
PanAmSat’s major accomplishments in 1997
throughout Latin America and provide digital
included completing the merger and smoothly inte-
direct-to-home television to Mexico, along with a
grating its U.S. and international satellite fleets.
wealth of video, data and other information for
And it introduced a new high-speed Internet access
businesses operating throughout the Americas and
service, called SPOTbytes, that offers fast, dedicated
across the Atlantic Ocean into Europe.
links to the Internet in the United States and
The PAS-6 satellite, built by
dozens of other countries.
Space Systems/Loral, was launched
PanAmSat improved its finan-
to serve the direct-to-home mar-
cial flexibility by changing its debt
ket in Latin America. However, as
structure. In December, the com-
a result of technical anomalies
pany refinanced $1.1 billion in
limiting its service capacity,
high-yield debt and, a month later,
PanAmSat ordered a new satellite
issued $750 million worth of new
(PAS-6B) to be built by HSC.
investment grade bonds.
In December, PanAmSat’s
Subsequently, PanAmSat will enjoy
Galaxy VIII-i satellite – another
significant interest expense savings.
Hughes-built HS 601 HP space-
The company also successfully
craft – was successfully launched
launched three new satellites pri-
on an Atlas rocket from Cape Canaveral. It will
marily serving the Americas. In August, the PAS-5
transmit over 250 digital TV channels to DIRECTV’s
spacecraft was launched on a Russian Proton rock-
Latin American subscribers. PanAmSat now operates
et from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
five satellites serving the Latin American region.
This satellite is one of PanAmSat’s most powerful,
a Hughes-built HS 601 HP spacecraft carrying 48
1998 Goals and Outlook
transponders.
PanAmSat’s 1998 goals include launching up to
For PAS-5, PanAmSat signed customers such as
five new satellites. With the successful launch of
ESPN International, Sony Entertainment, HBO
these satellites, PanAmSat will increase its transpon-
Ole, and a joint venture of Discovery
Advanced earth stations and
PanAmSat’s satellites help
satellite monitoring
connect U.S. and
equipment stand beside
international users of the
PanAmSat’s Global
Internet and deliver data to
Operations Center outside
them 20 times faster than
Atlanta. The company’s 33-
traditional telephone lines.
acre facility offers plenty of
Internet access is a
growing space as worldwide
bandwidth-intensive
demand for satellite-based
business, and PanAmSat’s
communications services
spacecraft offer a bandwidth-
continues to expand.
rich solution. The company is
committed to serving this
fast-growing market.
23. 19
GALAXY IR
PAS-2
GALAXY IX
GALAXY V
SBS 5
180º
GALAXY IV
GALAXY VIII-i
GALAXY IIIR
GALAXY VII
90º W 90º E
SBS-4
SBS-6
PAS-4
GALAXY VI
PAS-1
PAS-5
0º
PAS-3
PAS-6
der capacity to over 35% to more than 700 tribution of TV programming and the increasing
transponders operating aboard 22 satellites. globalization of business, are likely to increase
PanAmSat anticipates continued strong growth demand for satellite-based distribution, intercon-
of its satellite-based video and telecommunications nection and networking services.
services, and plans to aggressively seek additional Anticipating continued growth over the next
Internet service providers throughout the world. several years, PanAmSat is planning future higher-
The company believes significant technological frequency Ka-band and V-band systems that will
breakthroughs are likely in the distribution of facilitate very fast two-way digital communications
video, multimedia and other programming as U.S. around the world.
cable TV distributors increasingly switch to digital
media and as HDTV (high-definition television)
broadcasting is introduced. Such technology devel-
opments, coupled with growing international dis-
Opposite page center,
800
the Winter Olympic Games
22
in Nagano, Japan, gave
Telecomm
Direct-
Services
To-Home PanAmSat another opportunity
17
600 19%
14%
to showcase its global reach.
Other
14
It provided seamless coverage
4%
12
to TV broadcasters throughout
Asia, the Americas and Europe.
400
Broadcast Above, PanAmSat’s fleet of 17
Services
spacecraft in orbit – with over
63%
520 transponders – serves all
200 points of the compass.
96* 97
95* 98E 95* 98E
96* 97
Percent of Business by Service
Satellites In Orbit (Year-end) Transponders In Orbit (Year-end)
*Pro Forma *Pro Forma
24. DIRECTVGlobal
20
DIRECTV is Hughes’ direct-to-home television tomer satisfaction ratings. Another factor is the
service. It uses satellites, compact dishes and digital tremendous choice of programming. At $44 per
receivers to provide hundreds of channels of video month, average revenue per U.S. DIRECTV sub-
and audio programs featuring sharp pictures and scriber is higher than anticipated – because cus-
crystal clear sound to millions of TV viewers on tomers value the premium movies, popular sports
three continents. DIRECTV pioneered the small- and quality entertainment offerings that distinguish
dish industry and is the leading service provider in DIRECTV from most other satellite TV or cable
the U.S. and Latin America and the Caribbean. television services.
Soon, it hopes to be the leader in Japan as well. In Latin America and the Caribbean, with more
In the U.S., DIRECTV’s 185 video channels are than 80 million TV households, the DIRECTV ser-
received by more than 3.3 million subscribers. In vice has been introduced in 12 countries so far, rep-
Latin America and the Caribbean, Galaxy Latin resenting 75% of the market. Hughes owns 60% of
America (GLA), a partnership created by Hughes and the GLA partnership and also owns or plans to pur-
major communications and media firms in chase a minority share in each of the largest local
Venezuela, Brazil and Mexico, sends 140-plus video operating companies. In 1997, average monthly
channels in Portuguese and Spanish to more than Latin American revenues of $47 per subscriber
300,000 subscribers. In Japan, a partnership of demonstrated the demand for premium channels
Hughes and eight Japanese firms launched DIRECTV and pay-per-view movies.
Japan, with an initial offering of 63 video channels, In Japan, where Hughes is an approximately 32%
expanding to 88 video channels in April 1998. owner of DIRECTV Japan, the new service is aimed
at a potential market of 42 million TV households.
Strengths Because the average Japanese household spends
DIRECTV has been the most successful U.S. twice as much on entertainment as an average U.S.
consumer electronics product in history. Launched family, Japan is expected to be an important direct-
in 1994, it attracted three million subscribers in just to-home TV market. Cable TV penetration is quite
over 40 months. By comparison, it took the entire low, and multi-channel television has only recently
cable TV industry nearly 20 years to sign up three been introduced.
million subscribers. DIRECTV’s share of America’s
household television marketplace already makes it 1997 Accomplishments
comparable in size to the nation’s 5th largest cable Hughes’ revenues from its three direct-to-home
TV operator. television businesses totaled nearly $1.3 billion in
DIRECTV is attracting new subscribers at a 1997, more than double the previous year.
record pace while retaining an extremely high per- Within the U.S. direct-to-home market,
centage of its current subscribers. One reason is that DIRECTV has won more than 50% of the sub-
the company’s performance earns very high cus- scribers. Last year, the service attracted approximately
26. DIRECTVGlobal
22
a million subscribers for the third straight year and launched in Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala,
posted its best-ever holiday selling season, which St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.
included a record 409,000 new subscribers in the In Asia, DIRECTV Japan’s service got underway
fourth quarter. More than 2,000 Kmart stores were in December 1997. A very popular figure in Japan,
added as retail outlets, bringing DIRECTV’s total to film star Arnold Schwarzenegger, has become
more than 26,000 across the U.S. In addition, 18 new DIRECTV Japan’s marketing spokesperson.
channels of programming were offered, including From the start, DIRECTV Japan has provided
sports and news networks, and premium movies. subscribers superior value, higher quality video, and
An agreement was signed with Action Adventure a better array of local and international programming
Network, a new venture that will produce action- than competing satellite TV or cable TV systems.
adventure movies and TV series – by directors such
as John Landis and Francis Ford Coppola. This orig- 1998 Goals and Outlook
inal programming is now under production and will DIRECTV expects the strong worldwide demand
premiere on DIRECTV in 1998. for multi-channel TV to continue in 1998 and
At year-end, DIRECTV was received in more beyond. To attract more U.S. subscribers, DIRECTV
than 400,000 hotel rooms and seen by patrons at plans to work with retailers to make the purchase
thousands of restaurants, night clubs and other process simpler for customers. It has mounted a
commercial establishments. DIRECTV also entered more aggressive advertising campaign that directly
into agreements and partnerships that give it an targets cable television subscribers. And finally, it is
opportunity to provide its service to 100,000 apart- improving the value of offerings to customers by
ment, townhouse and condominium units across addressing issues such as access to local TV channels
the nation. The potential multiple-dwelling unit and the cost of extra digital receivers for subscribers
market includes more than one quarter of all U.S. with more than one TV set.
television households. DIRECTV also is seeking broader and new kinds
In Latin America and the Caribbean, DIRECTV of distribution across the country. For example, in
expanded its programming to include exclusive February 1998, long-term marketing agreements
offerings such as Disney Weekend, Playboy TV and were reached with Bell Atlantic and SBC
Spanish League Soccer. In 1997, service was Communications, Inc., both important regional
Subscribers to DIRECTV
Under an agreement
Japan’s service already
signed in 1997, the
have a fast-growing lineup
Action Adventure
of channels to choose from,
Network is producing
including more local and
original movies and new
international programming
TV series for DIRECTV.
than the competition
Filming is being overseen
provides. In 1998, subscribers
by some of the world’s
will also be offered exclusive
best directors, and the
new interactive services –
programs will air first
betting, shopping and ticket
on DIRECTV in 1998.
buying – directly through
their TV sets.
27. 23
telephone operating companies, to offer DIRECTV Also, early in 1998, Hughes and its GLA part-
service to millions of their customers. ners purchased a 6.9% stake in Via Digital, a fast
In March 1998, eight popular channels of music growing new satellite TV service based in Spain.
television and comedy, children’s and movie pro- Among other things, the agreement will allow for
gramming were added to DIRECTV’s U.S. program- the exchange of new Spanish channels between
ming packages at no extra cost to the subscriber. Latin America and Spain.
And this fall, it plans to offer America’s households In Japan, Hughes hopes to accelerate subscriber
the first nationwide high-definition television pro- growth and establish DIRECTV as the leader in
gramming as HDTV sets become available. direct-to-home entertainment. Its programming
A next generation service called DIRECTV lineup is expected to grow to as many as 130 chan-
Inter@ctive™ is also being readied for introduction nels in 1998, including more than 50 that can only
in the U.S. Through personal computers, and even- be received by subscribers of DIRECTV Japan.
tually through television sets as well, it will deliver Also, the number of distribution outlets and retail
home entertainment that combines all of stores selling DIRECTV throughout Japan should
DIRECTV’s programming with new interactive ser- increase to 50,000 or more from 35,000 at present.
vices. These will include “the best of the World Under an agreement with a Japanese broadcaster
Wide Web,” data-enhanced TV, news, sports and planning to end its own analog TV service later in
financial tickers, and software downloads. the year, a free transfer to DIRECTV will be offered
In Latin America, DIRECTV is expected to to its 95,000 customers starting in the spring of
reach five more countries, including Argentina and 1998. And DIRECTV subscribers throughout Japan
Peru, thus widening its service area to 97% of the will be offered exclusive new interactive services
marketplace. Utilizing a new Hughes satellite such as betting, shopping and ticket buying
launched in December 1997, DIRECTV is poised to through their TV sets.
expand its Latin American programming lineup to
over 250 video channels, including pay-per-view
movies, sports and new forms of information and
entertainment programming.
250
4.0
United States United States
United States
400
Latin America Latin America
Latin America 200
3.0
300 Japan Japan
Japan
150
2.0
200
100
1.0
100
50
94 95 96 97
94 95 96 97 95 96 97
TV Households Accessible by DIRECTV (Millions)
Cumulative DIRECTV Subscribers (Millions)
Video Channels Delivered by DIRECTV
28. emerging
24
businesses
Hughes continues to focus on emerging satellite Hughes and PanAmSat. The SPACEWAY system is
businesses with initiatives such as SPACEWAY™, expected to bring the power of satellite technology
which will use the Ka-band portion of the broad- directly to businesses and homes.
cast spectrum. This project – and others under As proposed, SPACEWAY will make high-
study for launch early in the 21st century – speed, two-way communications possible through
anticipates fast-growing global demand for high ultra-small, low-cost antennas. In doing so, it will
data-rate, interactive communications services. provide users with inexpensive “bandwidth on
SPACEWAY takes advantage of the company’s demand,” including fast access to the Internet,
advanced technologies. It exploits synergies corporate Intranets, local area and wide area net-
among existing Hughes businesses in spacecraft works, and the public-switched telephone net-
and ground system manufacturing, and satellite work. SPACEWAY plans to use HS 702 satellites,
and consumer services. Hughes’ powerful new spacecraft, that feature
In May 1997, the Federal Communications onboard digital processing and intersatellite com-
Commission assigned 15 Ka-band orbital slots to munications links.
This artist’s conception is
an HS 702 satellite that
will be used in SPACEWAY,
the high-speed, two-way
global communications
system that Hughes
expects to begin deploying
early in the 21st century.
SPACEWAY will provide
businesses and consumers
with inexpensive
“bandwidth on demand”
for numerous applications.
