DIRECTV Activates HD Local Channel Service In 7 Cities; Local Channels In HD Have More Vivid Colors, Wider Images And Clearer, Crisper High-Resolution Digital-Quality Pictures

July 6, 2006

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital television service provider, is now offering local HD programming via satellite to customers beginning today, Wednesday, June 28, 2006 to the following cities: Baltimore DMA- The following local TV channels are available: WMAR/ABC, WJZ/CBS, WBFF/FOX and WBAL/NBC. Cleveland DMA- The following local TV channels are available: WEWS/ABC, WJW/FOX and WKYC/NBC. DIRECTV is in discussions with the owner of the CBS affiliate and hopes to add this station to the DIRECTV lineup in the near future. Charlotte DMA- The following local TV channels are available: WSOC/ABC, WCCB/FOX and WCNC/NBC. DIRECTV is in discussions with the owner of the CBS affiliate and hopes to add this station to the DIRECTV lineup in the near future. Denver DMA- The following local TV channels are available: KMGH/ABC, KCNC/CBS, KDVR/FOX and KUSA/NBC. Hartford DMA- The following local TV channels are available: WFSB/CBS and WVIT/NBC. DIRECTV is in discussions with the owners of the ABC and FOX affiliates and hopes to add these stations to the DIRECTV lineup in the near future. Miami DMA- The following local TV channels are available: WPLG/ABC, WFOR/CBS, WSVN/FOX and WTVJ/NBC. Raleigh-Durham DMA- The following local TV channels are available: WTVD/ABC and WNCN/NBC. DIRECTV is in discussions with the owners of the CBS and FOX affiliates and hopes to add these stations to the DIRECTV lineup in the near future. DIRECTV's roll out of local HD channels in these cities is part of a nationwide expansion of HD programming that will culminate in 2007, when DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500 local HD channels and more than 150 national HD channels, establishing DIRECTV as a leading provider of HD programming. DIRECTV customers today have access to more than 900 hours of HD programming each week, as well as hundreds of hours of special event, movie and sports coverage. With these additions, DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast channels in 36 cities with plans to launch in an additional 13 cities later this year, offering access to DIRECTV-delivered local HD channels in more than 65 percent of U.S. television households. WHEN: Beginning today, Wednesday, June 28, 2006 Customers who subscribe to a programming package that includes local channels receive both the standard and HD signals at no extra monthly charge. Baltimore customers can receive local HD channels by purchasing a new H20 HD receiver and satellite dish. Existing HD customers can upgrade their HD receiver and dish for $99 per receiver. New residential customers can take advantage of a $100 Advanced Product Rebate. Receiving equipment is available at major consumer electronics retailers like Best Buy or Circuit City, and through DIRECTV.

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