Direct broadcast satellite signal transmission system

Audio and control signals are digitized and inserted in the horizontal intervals of the distributed composite television signal (Figure 3). The control signals are in the form of a data stream which includes a header (Figure 4) containing group address, sync, and program-related information applicable to all receiving units, and a plurality of portions (Figure 5) which are addressable to and contain information applicable to the control of particular individual receiving units in the addressed group. The information in the addressable portions (Figure 5) can be altered on a real time basis such that the system operator has direct control over certain functions of individual receiving units from the transmission end.