It's been a long time since I started a thread, so.... Has anyone looked into DSS, the DIgital Satellite System, that has been developed for carrying the services called DirecTV, USSB, and various other direct broadcast packages? You may have seen ads for this by RCA, and various other joint-venture partners that are involved in rolling these services out nationwide. DSS is an 18 inch satellite dish and set-top box combination. I understand that it is fairly easy to install, and small enough to be portable. DirecTV is a direct satellite broadcast service, which sells programming the way a cable company does -- in multi-channel programming packages and various pay-per-view arrangements. DirecTV competes with USSB (U.S. Satellite Broadcasting), except that USSB does not currently offer sports. Here are some observations, gained from reading magazines and asking around: 1) The National Football League has become very interested in this technology. It offered via DirecTV "NFL Sunday Ticket" which let you buy the right to watch _ALL_ NFL games for the entire year for $99.00 - $139.00. This deal is supposed to be offered again in 1995 for a similar price. 2) DirecTV also offered a College Football Package this year, for $9.95 per weekend or $49.95 for the entire season. 3) In the December '94 issue of _Satellite Direct_, it said that DirecTV was about to close a deal with the NBA similar to the one with the NFL, and that it hoped to do the same with the NHL sometime this season. 4) In the same place, it also said, "Also, DirecTV is expected soon to complete its lineup for the regional sports channels. _Satellite Direct_ will carry programming schedules for the regional sports channels when the lineup becomes final." I contacted DirecTV in December, and found out that a regional sports channel package is being put together. If such a package was offered, it would probably be a bonanza for college hockey fans, and would make coverage by ESPN/ESPN2 less of an issue. BTW, the total price of a DSS system for your television is between $700 and $1000 dollars and dropping. Prices should get really competitive when RCA loses exclusive manufacturing rights sometime in 1995. Sony is apparently waiting in the wings. Does anyone have this system already? Is anyone else thinking along these lines? Dave Aiello Consultant J.P. Morgan & Company, Inc. New York