DIRECTV Launches Local Public Television Stations In HD Nationwide

Only Satellite TV Provider to Launch Local PBS In HD, DIRECTV Rolls Out 14 with More To Follow This Month and 2009 [The following is a release from DIRECTV]

December 3, 2008

Millions of viewers will be able to enjoy their favorite Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) programs in crystal clear HD as DIRECTV begins launching local public television stations in HD in markets across the country today. DIRECTV, which has long been at the forefront of HD programming, continues its unprecedented expansion of HD with the launch of local public television stations in 14 markets and will continue to roll out additional markets through the end of the year and in 2009 – ahead of the Feb. 17 digital transition. Local PBS stations in HD are now available in the following markets: Cedar Rapids-Waterloo-Iowa City-Dubuque, Iowa; Chicago; Davenport, Iowa-Rock Island-Moline, Ill.; Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York, Norfolk-Newport News, Va.; Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; Rochester, N.Y.; and Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas. The local public television HD launch follows the recent ratification by public television stations of the landmark agreement reached late last year by DIRECTV, Inc., the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) and PBS. Under the agreement, DIRECTV will offer HD programming from local public television stations in markets where it now provides local HD channels to its customers. DIRECTV offers local HD programming in 115 markets, representing more than 87 percent of U.S. TV households. “We applaud the cooperative effort put forth by the member stations, APTS and PBS, to ratify the digital carriage agreement that enables DIRECTV to begin delivering local public television stations in HD to our customers,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. “As the industry’s HD leader and the only satellite TV provider to offer local PBS stations in HD, we believe in delivering content that is worthy of this incredible technology. The addition of PBS’s high-quality programming to our HD lineup continues to raise the bar on the DIRECTV viewing experience.” APTS Acting President and CEO Lonna Thompson said: “DIRECTV has taken the historic step of ensuring its satellite customers have access to our stations’ local digital programming. We commend DIRECTV’s leadership in serving satellite viewers.” PBS President and CEO Paula A. Kerger said: “The digital future holds extraordinary promise for public television. This agreement helps ensure that all Americans will be able to enjoy the outstanding HD programming presented by our local stations across the nation.” DIRECTV will also carry two national, standard-definition channels of public television programming and will work with APTS and PBS stations to develop programming for DIRECTV’s video on demand service.

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