DIRECTV Introduces New Spanish-Language Service DIRECTV PARA TODOSô Programming In Several Areas

Hispanic households in several areas will be tuning in to a new way of watching television with the introduction of DIRECTV PARA TODOSô (""DIRECTV For Everyone""), the new bilingual programming service from DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading provider of digital satellite entertainment. This service will be offered to viewers in Denver, Colorado; New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Albuquerque, New Mexico and San Antonio and McAllen/Brownsville, Texas. DIRECTV PARA TODOS offers more than 22 Spanish language national and international channels including sports, news, religion, education and children's programming, as well as specially selected English-language channels - all in digital quality picture and sound. The DIRECTV PARA TODOS System, which receives DIRECTV PARA TODOS programming, is now available at select consumer electronics stores and independent retailers. In addition to print, radio and television advertising highlighting the new bilingual service locally, DIRECTV has also launched this week its first nationwide advertising campaign for DIRECTV PARA TODOS with commercials on Univision, the country's leading Spanish-language television broadcast network, and other television and cable networks. DIRECTV PARA TODOS offers Spanish-language programming from the United States, Latin America and Spain including Univision, Discovery en Espanol, FOX Sports World Espanol, Galavision, MTV S, TVN Chile and Canal Sur, among others. Customers will also have access to more than 210 English-language DIRECTV(R) channels, which feature a variety of sports, news, entertainment and family programming. DIRECTV is the only US broadcaster to carry both PUMA TV and The Weather Channel/El Canal del Tiempo. PUMA TV, which will be available in the coming weeks, is a Venezuela-based network that spotlights the world of music, entertainment and fashion. The Weather Channel/El Canal de Tiempo provides round-the-clock weather reports from Latin America and the US. ""We are excited at the opportunity to serve the country's Hispanic market with a comprehensive lineup of Spanish and English television programming that is relevant to the lives and culture of the Latino residents in the Denver area,"" said Yolanda Macias, Vice President of DIRECTV PARA TODOS and International Services. ""With DIRECTV PARA TODOS we are able to provide Hispanic households in the Denver area with access to more than 22 Spanish language channels and more sports and pay per view events than any other cable or satellite provider. By comparison, cable operators in many communities, including Denver, only offer a limited slate of two or three Spanish-language channels."" DIRECTV PARA TODOS offers two bilingual packages: OPCION ESPECIALô (Special Choice) programming provides 15 Spanish-language and 24 English-language channels for $19.99 a month; OPCION EXTRA ESPECIALô (Extra Special Choice) programming provides up to 23 Spanish-language and 77 English-language channels for $31.99 a month. Both packages include seven Music Choice channels of commercial-free Spanish-language music. Consumers can subscribe to the service by purchasing the DIRECTV PARA TODOS System, which features an 18-by-24-inch oval satellite dish, a specially designed set-top receiver and a remote control. DIRECTV PARA TODOS customers can also take advantage of the DIRECTV free standard professional installation offer. The offer is available to consumers who purchase a DIRECTV PARA TODOS System from participating retailers by April 23, 2000 and activate the OPCION EXTRA ESPECIAL programming package by May 5. For information on local retailers carrying the system, phone 888 388 6622. Hughes Network Systems currently manufactures the DIRECTV PARA TODOS System, which includes important features for Hispanic families such as the parental lock-out system that allows parents to control their children's viewing and spending limits, and on-screen menu options in Spanish. A bilingual call center is available to assist customers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. About DIRECTVDIRECTV has more than 8.1 million customers, including customers subscribing to PRIMESTAR By DIRECTV. DIRECTV, DIRECTV PARA TODOS, OPCION ESPECIAL and OPCION EXTRA ESPECIAL are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. Hughes Electronics is the world's leading provider of digital television entertainment, and satellite and wireless systems and services. The earnings of Hughes Electronics, a unit of General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE: GMH). Visit DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at http://www.directv.com.Source: DIRECTV Inc.