Why does DISH need a 36" dish??

[DIRECTV_Mole]

Maybe this is a stupid question, but I want to know if anyone can give me a technical reason for the 36-inch size of the SuperDish. Consider that E*'s primary bird is at 119 deg. and the farthest bird away from that is 14 degrees of orbit away, at 105 deg. Now consider that D*s primary bird is at 101 and the farthest bird away from that (not counting those used for LIL and International programming) is at 119, an 18-degree spread. So:

DIRECTV - 18 degrees - 18x20" dish
DISH - 14 degrees - 20x36" dish

Smaller orbital spread...larger dish??

 

[BFG]

all of D*s satellites are DBS. The 105 and 121 satellites E* use are FSS and require a larger dish because those sat have a lower gain.

 

[Mr Tony]

Actually
Direct's 95 degree slot for int'l reuired a "Superdish" type configuration. FSS band (also known as KU) is lower powered so you need at least a 30" dish