DIRECTV Acquires Significant Portion of Its Installation Network with Close of 180 Connect and UniTek USA Transactions

  
    
  
  
    
      DIRECTV, Inc. and 180 Connect Inc. have completed the previously 
      announced transaction enabling DIRECTV, the nation’s 
      leading satellite television service, to gain control over a significant 
      portion of its installation and home service network. With the 
      acquisition of 100 percent of its outstanding common stock, 180 Connect, 
      one of North America’s largest providers of 
      installation, integration and fulfillment services to the home 
      entertainment, communication, and home integration service industries, 
      becomes a wholly-owned subsidiary of DIRECTV.
    
    
      In a related transaction, UniTek USA, LLC has acquired 180 Connect’s 
      cable services operating unit and certain DIRECTV installation services 
      from DIRECTV, in exchange for UniTek’s 
      satellite installation services in New York, Burbank, California and 
      Bloomington, California and cash.
    
    
      “With the close of the 180 Connect agreement, 
      we’ve taken an important step toward 
      developing the best installation network in the industry and further 
      enhancing customer satisfaction,” said Mike 
      Palkovic, executive vice president, Operations, DIRECTV, Inc. “Improving 
      the service experience for our customers is as important as anything we 
      do on the technology and content side of our business and we believe we 
      will now be in a stronger position to better understand and meet the 
      challenges of providing a high-quality experience for our customers.”
    
    
      Through the transaction, DIRECTV gains control of one of its largest 
      installation and home service providers and transitions approximately 
      3,200 employees in 46 U.S. market locations, throughout California, 
      Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Arkansas, 
      Virginia, Hawaii, Western Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Prior to the 
      acquisition, DIRECTV had outsourced all its installation service 
      operations through 12 home service provider companies.
    
    
      About DIRECTV, Inc.
    
    
      DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV), 
      the nation’s leading satellite television 
      service provider, presents the finest television experience available to 
      more than 17 million customers in the United States and is leading the 
      HD revolution with 95 national HD channels – 
      more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, 
      DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital 
      picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer 
      satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for eight years running) and 
      superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and 
      the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available 
      anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.
    
    
      About 180 Connect Inc.
    
    
      180 Connect Inc. is one of North America’s 
      largest providers of installation, integration and fulfillment services 
      to the home entertainment, communications and home integration service 
      industries. With more than 4,000 skilled technicians and 750 support 
      personnel based in over 85 operating locations, 180 Connect is well 
      positioned as the only pure play national residential service provider 
      in the market. 180 Connect shares are traded under the name of 180 
      Connect Inc. on the OTCBB under the symbols CNCT.OB, CNCTU.OB and 
      CNCTW.OB. For more information about 180 Connect Inc, please visit www.180connect.net.
    
    
      About UniTek USA, LLC
    
    
      UniTek USA, LLC, is a premier provider of engineering, construction 
      management and installation fulfillment services to companies 
      specializing in the telecommunications, broadband cable, cellular and 
      satellite industries. UniTek has created a scalable operating platform, 
      enabling each UniTek subsidiary to deliver quality services to its 
      Fortune 100 customers. UniTek USA, LLC, based in Blue Bell, PA utilizes 
      a diverse workforce of over 5,000 technicians deployed throughout the 
      United States. For more information about UniTek, please visit www.unitekusa.net.