El Segundo, Calif.-based DirecTV Group [DTV] agreed to sell the set-top box manufacturing operations of its Germantown, Md.-based Hughes Network Systems subsidiary to France-based Thomson [TMS] for a minimum of $250 million. The deal could escalate to as much as $400 million if future order levels warrant.

Thomson, a global provider of integrated technologies, equipment and services for the entertainment and media industries, also announced a related definitive agreement for the long-term development and supply of digital satellite set-top boxes (STBs) for DirecTV Group’s U.S. satellite TV services provider DirecTV. The five-year supply agreement provides DirecTV with an experienced partner for its forthcoming product and service development initiatives, both companies said.

For in-depth coverage of this story, see the May 17 issue of Satellite News. For more information about subscribing to PBI Media’s satellite newsletters, check out our Web site at https://www.satellitetoday.com.