DirecTV Commences Local Broadcast Network Channels Offering In New York And Los Angeles

DirecTV Inc., provider of the nation's leading digital television service, today announced the availability of local broadcast network channels via satellite for its DirecTVÆ customers in New York and Los Angeles.Beginning yesterday, all DirecTV customers in the New York designated market area (DMA) and Los Angeles DMA will receive a free preview of their local broadcast network channel package.DirecTV customers in the New York DMA can subscribe to a local channel package that includes WABC, WNBC, WCBS and WNYW (FOX). DirecTV customers in the Los Angeles DMA who choose to subscribe to their local channel package will receive KABC, KCBS, KNBC and KTTV (FOX). DirecTV customers can subscribe to their local channel package for $5.99 per month.In addition to local broadcast network channels, a national PBS feed is included in each local channel package at no additional charge. DirecTV will continue to add additional local markets throughout the remainder of 1999 and in 2000.""The availability of local channels ushers in a new era for DirecTV, and we are excited to commence our local channel offerings in the nation's two largest markets,"" said Eddy W. Hartenstein, President of DirecTV. ""By offering local channels on DirecTV, our customers can access entertainment and information that's most relevant to their lives - and they can watch their local channels with digital picture and CD-quality sound.""Now is as good a time as any for consumers in New York and Los Angeles to cut cable and choose DirecTV as their source for home entertainment.""Local channels are delivered to DirecTV subscribers in New York and Los Angeles from DirecTV's primary orbital slot at 101 degrees West Longitude. As a result, DirecTV customers can receive their local channels as well as DirecTV's current lineup of national digital entertainment and information programming through their existing set-top box and 18-inch satellite dish.DirecTV is supporting its local channel offerings in New York and Los Angeles with marketing, point-of-sale and advertising campaigns in coordination with its extensive consumer electronics retail partners and affiliate satellite dealers.DirecTV has more than 7.8 million customers, including customers subscribing to PrimeStar By DirecTV. DirecTV is a registered trademark of DirecTV Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp. Hughes Electronics is the world's leading provider of digital television entertainment, and satellite and wireless systems and services.

For more information, contact DirecTV, El Segundo, Bob Marsocci, 310 726 4656.