DirecTV Commences Local Broadcast Network Channels Offering In Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas And Houston

DirecTV Inc., provider of the nation's leading digital television service, Friday announced the availability of local broadcast network channels via satellite for its DirecTVÆ customers in Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas and Houston.Beginning December 18, all DirecTV customers in the Chicago designated market area will receive a free preview of their local broadcast network channel package. DirecTV customers in the Chicago DMA can subscribe to a local channel package that includes WLS (ABC), WBBM (CBS), WMAQ (NBC) and WFLD (FOX).Beginning Dec. 18, all DirecTV customers in the Cleveland designated market area (DMA) will receive a free preview of their local broadcast network channel package. DirecTV customers in the Cleveland DMA can subscribe to a local channel package that includes WEWS (ABC), WOIO (CBS), WKYC (NBC) and WJW (FOX).Beginning Dec. 18, all DirecTV customers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth designated market area (DMA) will receive a free preview of their local broadcast network channel package. DirecTV customers in the Dallas/Ft. Worth DMA can subscribe to a local channel package that includes KTVT (CBS), KXAS (NBC) and KDFW (Fox).Beginning Dec. 18, all DirecTV customers in the Houston designated market area (DMA) will receive a free preview of their local broadcast network channel package. DirecTV customers in the Houston DMA can subscribe to a local channel package that includes KTRK (ABC), KPRC (NBC) and KRIV (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.""The availability of local channels ushers in a new era for DirecTV, and we are excited to commence our local channel offerings in these areas,"" 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 their community. Now is as good a time as any for consumers in these areas to cut cable and choose DirecTV as their source for home entertainment.""Local channels are delivered to DirecTV customers 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 antenna.DirecTV is supporting its local-into-local offerings with marketing, point-of-sale and advertising campaigns in coordination with its extensive consumer electronics retailing partners and affiliate satellite dealers.

For more information, visit DirecTV on the World Wide Web at www.directv.com.