Panasonic To Manufacture And Market HDTV DirecTV Systems

Panasonic, the first consumer electronics company to introduce HDTV in the United States, and DirecTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital television service provider, have entered into an agreement to incorporate DirecTV PLUSô high definition television satellite receivers into Panasonic-brand digital television-certified set-top boxes. The announcement was made at the 2000 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.The new products will be manufactured by Matsushita Television and Network Systems Company (MTNC) and will be marketed and sold in the United States later this year by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC). Product development of the new set-top box is being carried out jointly by MTNC and Burlington, NJ-based Panasonic AVC American Laboratories, Inc. (PAVCAL), together with their parent labs.""Panasonic has demonstrated its leadership by becoming the first consumer electronics manufacturer to make high definition television available to consumers,"" said Bill Casamo, Executive Vice President for DirecTV. ""We're very excited about our new plan to develop DirecTV PLUS HDTV satellite receivers, as they will complement the already growing number of HDTV sets sold in the marketplace.""Panasonic was the first to introduce a high definition digital television monitor in the United States in August 1998, followed by its first all-format digital television set-top box in October 1998.""This agreement with DirecTV is another dynamic step in Panasonic's commitment to provide consumers with the greatest choice and convenience to enjoy the full breadth of digital television programming,"" said Bill Mannion, PCEC's General Manager, Television and Network Systems Division.DirecTV began broadcasting its first national high definition consumer channel to customers of its high-power satellite television service on Aug. 1. The channel, Home Box Office's high definition ""HBO HDTV,"" features blockbuster Hollywood films and original movies from HBO in high definition format and airs on DirecTVÆ 24 hours daily. A second DirecTV high-definition channel, featuring pay-per-view movies and other select programming was launched for consumers November 1.With Panasonic's DirecTV-enabled set-top receiver, consumers will have an expanded number of viewing choices, including access to DirecTV's satellite broadcasts in both standard and high definition, as well as terrestrial broadcasts available in the local service area via a rooftop antenna. The Panasonic receiver is also the first to feature the ""Advanced Programming Guide,"" which seamlessly displays program information from all available sources.""We believe DirecTV can play a pivotal role in the acceptance of HDTV technologies,"" added Mannion. ""With HBO and other program sources already broadcasting high definition via DirecTV, the addition of DirecTV-enabled set-top boxes to our comprehensive line of digital television products allows us to bring the excitement and benefits of high definition television to a much broader audience.""DirecTV is the only satellite TV service whose receiving system is being built into HDTV sets and DirecTV/ATSC* set-top converter boxes, thus providing consumers with virtually instant access to DirecTV programming and local digital terrestrial channels via a rooftop antenna, where available.The Panasonic DirecTV PLUSô set-top box is being displayed at the 2000 International Consumer Electronics Show in DirecTV Booth 5611 and Panasonic Booth 2001.About DirecTVDirecTV is the nation's leading digital television entertainment service with more than 8 million customers, including customers subscribing to PRIMESTAR By DirecTV. DirecTV and DirecTV PLUS are registered trademarks of DirecTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. Hughes Electronics is the world's leading provider of satellite and wireless systems and services. Visit DirecTV on the World Wide Web at www.directv.com.About PanasonicLocated in San Diego, California, Matsushita Television and Network Systems Company manufactures a wide range of television products, which are marketed and sold in the United States by Secaucus, New Jersey-based Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company (PCEC) or are exported to other countries. Both companies are divisions of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America (MECA), the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Company, Ltd. (NYSE: MC), one of the world's largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use.Consumers seeking more information on the company's products may contact Panasonic's Customer Call Center at 800-211-PANA or access Panasonic's home page at www.panasonic.com.*ATSC: Advanced Television Systems Committee.