DirecTV, LLC is an American multichannel video programming distributor headquartered in El Segundo, California. Founded in 1994, the company was a long-time subsidiary of AT&T before being spun off in 2021 into a new entity primarily owned by AT&T with a 30% stake held by private equity firm TPG Inc. In a deal completed in July 2025, TPG acquired AT&T's remaining stake, making DirecTV a wholly-owned, private subsidiary of TPG. As a private company, its revenue is not consistently reported, though some estimates place it in the billions of dollars. Recent workforce intelligence data from late 2025 suggests the company has around 10,200 employees.
DirecTV is an operating company whose primary business is providing pay television services. Its offerings include direct-broadcast satellite service and an internet-based streaming service, which provide access to live and on-demand content, including local channels, national networks, and premium programming. The company serves both residential customers and commercial clients, such as bars, restaurants, and hotels, through its "DirecTV for Business" division, which focuses on distributing live sports.
Based on its litigation history, DirecTV is an operating company that defends against patent infringement claims. It has been a defendant in all three of its tracked patent cases and has not been a plaintiff. This pattern is typical for a company focused on selling its own products and services rather than asserting patents for revenue. The cases are filed in the district courts of Delaware and the Southern District of New York.
All three of DirecTV's tracked patent lawsuits were filed in late 2023 by Dish Technologies L.L.C., an affiliate of Dish Network. This litigation context highlights a patent dispute between DirecTV and its primary competitor in the U.S. satellite television market.