DIRECTV Further Expands HD Offering With the Launch of TNT in HD

ATLANTA, Feb. 8  /PRNewswire/ -- Turner Network Television (TNT) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with DIRECTV, Inc. to provide customers with the high-definition (HD) feed of TNT.  The service will launch on DIRECTV on Friday, Feb. 17 and will be available on DIRECTV channel 75. The 24/7 HD presentation of the TNT East Coast feed will offer DIRECTV's customers a wide range of dramatic programming in HDTV format, including sports such as live NBA games and NASCAR races; series; movies; and TNT Originals.

TNT in HD will be available as part of the DIRECTV HD package, which currently includes ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater(TM), HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD, and is available by subscription for $10.99 per month.  In addition to the HD Package, DIRECTV customers with HD-enabled equipment can also receive HBO(R) HDTV and SHO(R) HD as part of their premium package subscriptions, as well as HD Pay Per View movies. DIRECTV also offers local HD programming in select markets.

"We are pleased to partner with DIRECTV to further expand its robust HDTV package and enhance its customers' viewing experience with the addition of TNT in HD's extensive collection of top-rated content," said Coleman Breland, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Turner Network Sales. "NBA coverage on TNT in HD has raised the bar across the industry.  We're excited to share this compelling sports programming with DIRECTV customers in time for the NBA All-Star game."

"DIRECTV understands the importance of offering our customers quality HD programming and we are excited to be partnering with TNT to deliver an even better HD experience," said Dan Fawcett, executive vice president, Programming Acquisition, DIRECTV, Inc. "Not only will our customers have access to TNT's popular original programming in HD but they will also see NBA live game action in HD giving them a courtside seat right in their living room."

TNT in HD is broadcast in 1080i 24 hours a day and uses Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, a superior audio experience across all TNT in HD programming. In addition, TNT in HD presents all of its programming, including promotional content and commercials, in 16:9 wide-screen, giving viewers a consistent viewing experience.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc. is the nation's leading digital television service provider with more than 15 million customers.  DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc.  DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment services.  DIRECT is approximately 34 percent owned by News Corporation.

About Turner Network Television

Turner Network Television (TNT), television's destination for drama and one of cable's top-rated networks, offers original movies and series, including the detective drama series The Closer, starring Golden Globe(R) and Screen Actors Guild Awards(R) nominee Kyra Sedgwick; Saved, a new character- driven drama starring Tom Everett Scott; and next year's eagerly anticipated anthology series Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King. TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Law & Order, Without a Trace, Alias, Las Vegas, Cold Case, ER, NYPD Blue, Charmed, Judging Amy and Angel; broadcast premiere movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA.  TNT is also available in high-definition.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry. 

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DATASOURCE: Turner Network Television



CONTACT: Leigh Arwood of Turner Network Sales, [phone], or email

; or Jade Ekstedt of DIRECTV, Inc., [phone], or

email 

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