Thanks pptp,

I know some reboot is occurring because the system goes dark, then goes through a complex restart process beginning with acquiring a network address and downloading programming from the satellite (different seats will go through this process independently as they receive their network address).

I thought I saw the FA do this from the control panel above the jumpseat, but perhaps it was the flight deck resetting the system by turning it off and on. I know on a previous flight, the crew did this proactively and said the Captain would be resetting the system from the flight deck.

Normal banking might take the satellite off-lock, but if the programming is not available when the aircraft is at the gate or flying straight/level, there is a problem with the system and I think CO and DirecTV should agree on an approved crew process for resetting it on the spot.

Yanking the circuit breaker sounds good to me - but probably not to DirecTV.