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

DATASOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc.



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

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