Boeing announced in September 2004 a contract by DirecTV to build three Boeing 702 model satellites. These spacecraft will provide DirecTV with unprecedented national and local broadcast coverage in High Definition Television (HDTV) and will be among the largest and most powerful Ka-band satellites ever launched.

Three BSS-702 satellites, dubbed DirecTV 10 and DirecTV 11, an ground spare (DirecTV 12) and six Ka band uplink sites will enable DirecTV to significantly expand broadcasting to their customers across the continental United States, Hawaii, and Alaska. In addition to expanded national HDTV broadcasting, standard definition television broadcasting, and interactive television, DirecTV 10 and DirecTV 11 will provide the capability for DirecTV to broadcast local HDTV to 90 percent of their customers.