Short answers, pulled from the story.
Satellite television first appeared in the Neiman-Marcus Christmas catalogue in 1979. The system was priced at $36,500 and featured a massive dish nearly three meters in diameter.
The Federal Communications Commission ruled that homeowner association restrictions on satellite dishes were illegal in 1986. This decision allowed the technology to spread into suburban backyards across the United States and Europe.
HBO began encrypting its channels using the VideoCipher II system in January 1986. This move forced viewers to purchase expensive descramblers or subscribe directly to the service.
Hughes launched DirecTV in 1994 and EchoStar launched Dish Network in 1996. These systems utilized digital modulation methods to transmit 150 to 200 channels of video and audio on a single transponder.
The last analog satellite Star One D2 from Brazil will continue to broadcast until 2025. This satellite serves as a critical communication tool for remote areas and international broadcasting.