DIRECTV Brings High-Definition Local Channels to New York Today

DIRECTV Brings High-Definition Local Channels to New York Today

WHAT: DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital television service
provider, announced today that it has begun offering local
high-definition (HD) channels via satellite to New York via new
compression technology known as MPEG 4 AVC (Motion Picture
Expert Group -- Advanced Video Compression).

New York is one of dozens of cities that will receive HD
local programming from DIRECTV using MPEG-4 AVC, the new
standard in digital video compression, and advanced modulation
that more than doubles the efficiency of DIRECTV's capacity.

DIRECTV will carry each of the four primary broadcast networks
that offer an HD feed in the market. Customers who subscribe to
a programming package that includes local channels will receive
both the standard and HD signals at no extra monthly charge.

DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast channels in 12 cities with
plans to launch an additional 24 cities early next year,
offering access to DIRECTV-delivered local HD channels in more
than 57 percent of U.S. television households.

Customers can receive New York local HD channels by purchasing a
new H20 HD receiver and a satellite dish that has the ability to
receive programming from five different orbital locations.
DIRECTV is offering new and existing non-HD customers who
purchase a DIRECTV HD receiver a $200 mail-in rebate. (Limit
one rebate per customer.) Receiving equipment is available at
major consumer electronics retailers like Best Buy and Circuit
City, and through DIRECTV. Existing DIRECTV customers do not
need to upgrade their HD equipment initially since their
existing MPEG-2 receivers will continue to receive local HD
broadcasts.

WHEN: Beginning today, the following high-definition local channels
will be available to DIRECTV customers in the New York
designated market area (DMA):

New York DMA New HD Local Channels*

-- WABC/Channel 7 -- WNBC/ Channel 4
-- WCBS/Channel 2 -- WNYW (FOX)/Channel 5

Contact: DIRECTV, Inc. PainePR for DIRECTV
Jade Ekstedt Elizabeth Owen
310-964-3429 949-809-6734

* Eligibility for local channels is based on service address within
certain designated market areas as defined by Nielsen Media Research,
Inc. Visit DIRECTV.com for more information.

PRNewswire-FirstCall -- Dec. 28

Source: DIRECTV, Inc.

Web site: http://www.directv.com/

-------
Profile: intent