Why doesn't DirecTV use all of the transponders?

[Mr Tony]

How can two satellites share the same orbital location? Yes, I know that there is a lot of space up there (yeah... I know, that was bad but I had just to ) but a satellite is... quite huge. Just like here on Earth, two objects can't be in the same exact location in space.

when you are 22,000+ miles up in space they can be in the same vicinity and still be considered "same location" to us down here at earth level

 

[HappyDay]

Someone might have a better distance number but I believe You have about a half mile to each side or so of dead center of a orbital slot and a dish down on earth won't really know the difference.

 

[mike123abc]

Geostationary satellites are usually assigned a box of .1 degrees, or about 50 miles to occupy. They slowly drift out of place then fire thrusters a bit to push them back to the other side of the box and they slowly drift back over and over. With DBS sized dishes all satellites within about 2 degrees look like one satellite.

 

[lfp302]

If a particular transponder really was vacant, it would cost money to put programming on it. Also, there could be an effort to retain some reserve capacity.