A receiver unit for receiving a time division multiplexed downlink data stream from a satellite comprises a phase shift keying demodulator for demodulating the downlink data stream into a stream of symbols. The downlink data stream comprises slots and is provided with a predetermined number of prime rate channels in respective ones of the slots by the satellite. A correlator is connected to the demodulator for locating and synchronzing to a master frame preamble inserted in the stream of symbols by the satellite. A demultiplexer is connected to the correlator for locating a time slot control channel in the stream of symbols. The time slot control channel is inserted into the stream of symbols by the satellite to identify which of the slots comprises the prime rate channels corresponding to each of a plurality of broadcast service providers. An input device is provided to allow an operator to select one the broadcast service providers and to provide an output signal to the demultiplexer. The demultiplexer extracts selected ones of the prime rate channels from the stream of data using the time slot control channel and the output signal.