DirecTV To Launch New High-Definition Package

4-Jun-03

DirecTVÆ, Inc., the nation's leading digital multichannel television service provider, announced that it will launch a new high-definition (HD) programming package on July 1. The HD package will include ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theaterô, HDNet, and HDNet Movies, and is available by subscription for $10.99 per month. In addition to ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, and HDNet Movies, DirecTV will also provide its customers with special events broadcast in HD, similar to events broadcast in the past, such as USA's coverage of the Masters Tournament, NBA games, and NBA TV programming blocks.""DirecTV has been a passionate proponent of HDTV since it launched the first coast-to-coast HD feed more than four years ago,"" said Stephanie Campbell, Senior Vice President, Programming, DirecTV, Inc. ""Over the last year, as the HD category has gained tremendous momentum, our customers have told us they want more HD programming. The launch of this HD package reinforces DirecTV's commitment to the category, and to offering our customers the best quality high-definition programming."" The DirecTV HD package includes:- ESPN HD: A 24-hour high-definition simulcast service of ESPN that delivers quality sports events, news and information, and entertainment telecasts, including games from Major League Baseball, the National Basketball Association, the National Football League, and the National Hockey League.- Discovery HD Theater: Discovery HD Theater is the new 24/7 channel produced entirely in high-definition. The channel delivers programs about nature, science and technology, geography, travel, and world culture--all designed to provide the highest-quality viewing experience available.- HDNet: A 24-hour network featuring live sports such as NHL and MLS games, boxing, drama series, concerts, and original news and documentary programming including HDNet World Report and Across America.- HDNet Movies: Delivers a 24-hour schedule of blockbuster movie titles from Warner Bros., Sony, and other major studios, as well as made-for-TV movies, independent films, and shorts.With the addition of the HD package, DirecTV will offer seven HD channels to its more than 11.4 million customers nationwide. DirecTV customers are currently receiving HBOÆ HDTV and SHOWTIMEÆ HDTV as part of their premium packages, as well as HD PPV movies for $4.99 each. In addition, under terms of its new five-year agreement with the National Football League for exclusive rights to NFL SUNDAY TICKETô, DirecTV also plans to begin offering high-definition telecasts of professional football games during the 2003 regular NFL season.To access HDTV channels, consumers may purchase any HDTV set with a built-in DirecTVÆ receiver or a DirecTV-enabled high-definition set-top receiver, and a single 18 x 20- or 18 x 24-inch multi-satellite dish with three LNBs. HDTV sets integrated with the DirecTV receiver, DirecTV-enabled HD receivers, and triple-LNB satellite dishes are available from authorized DirecTV retailers nationwide.For more information about DirecTV, visit www.DirecTV.com.

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