HDTV Reviews

DIRECTV Continues to Expand Local HD Programming; Names 14 New HD Markets; Local HD to be Available to Customers in 50 Markets, Representing More Than 65 Percent of U.S. Television Homes.

Continuing its drive to lead the industry in thedelivery of HDTV to consumers, DIRECTV named 14 more markets where itwill offer local HD programming later this year. When the markets areadded, DIRECTV will offer local HD programming in 50 majormetropolitan areas, representing more than 65 percent of U.S. TVhouseholds. The rollout is scheduled to begin in the third quarter.

Local news, sports and popular primetime programming from ABC,CBS, FOX and NBC will be available in HD to customers who subscribe toany TOTAL CHOICE(R) programming package that offers local channels.There is no additional charge for local HD programming.

The 14 local markets to receive HD programming from DIRECTVinclude:
– Cincinnati — Madison, Wis.
– Austin, Texas — Memphis, Tenn.
– Albuquerque, N.M. — Portland, Maine
– Grand Rapids, Mich. — Portland, Ore.
– Green Bay, Wis. — Providence, R.I.
– Greensboro, N.C. — Reno, Nev.
– Las Vegas — San Antonio

“With the rollout of each new HD market, DIRECTV continues toaffirm its commitment to hold the competitive high ground in HDprogramming,” said Dan Fawcett, executive vice president, DIRECTV,Inc. “Our local HD expansion will continue through next year when weexpect to offer access to the crystal-clear picture and sound of localHD programming to nearly every household in the nation.”

DIRECTV currently offers standard-definition local channels in 142markets, covering nearly 94 percent of television households in thecountry, as well as 20 HD local channel markets including: Atlanta,Birmingham, Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Dallas-Fort Worth, Detroit,Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Nashville, New York,Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, Tampaand Washington, D.C. By June of this year, DIRECTV will have activatedlocal HD programming in 16 more previously announced markets for atotal of 36 markets, representing 58 percent of U.S. TV households.

With the launch of two new satellites - DIRECTV 10 and DIRECTV 11- in 2007, DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500local HD and digital channels and 150 national HD channels, inaddition to new advanced programming services for customers.

Customers can receive local HD channels by purchasing the new H20HD receiver and a satellite dish that has the ability to receiveprogramming from five different orbital locations. DIRECTV is offeringnew customers who purchase a DIRECTV HD receiver a $100 mail-inrebate. (Limit one rebate per customer.) Receiving equipment isavailable at major consumer electronics retailers like Best Buy andCircuit City, and through DIRECTV. Existing customers are eligible fora $99 upgrade to the new H20 receiver and dish, plus $99 for eachadditional HD receiver.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc. is the nation’s leading digital television serviceprovider with more than 15 million customers. DIRECTV and the CycloneDesign logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV(NYSE:DTV) is a world-leading provider of digital multichanneltelevision entertainment services. DIRECTV is approximately 37 percentowned by News Corporation.