DIRECT TV also had one of the highest scores in the overall communications sector, which includes phone and wireless providers.

The score reflects customers' overall satisfaction with the service. Customers surveyed by the ACSI in the first quarter of 2006 were asked about such issues as perceived quality, perceived value and their expectations prior to subscribing to the service. The ACSI also measures customer loyalty and retention.

This year, the industry overall posts its first ever gain, up 3% to a score of 63. The improvement is largely due to DIRECTV, up 6% to a score of 71. The rest of the firms either remain stable or show marginal gains, with the lone exception of Charter Communications, falling by 2% to a score of 55, which is the lowest in the industry.

"DIRECTV's top score for overall customer satisfaction in this year’s ACSI survey demonstrates a continuing commitment by all DIRECT TV satellite TV employees to provide our 15.4 million customers with the best television entertainment experience, backed by strong service," said John Suranyi, president, DIRECTV Sales and Service. "While we scored considerably higher than our competitors and pulled up the industry average from last year, we will continue improving our service until we reach 100 percent customer satisfaction."

The ACSI is produced by the Stephen M. Ross Business School at the University of Michigan, in partnership with the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and the international consulting firm, CFI Group.