DIRECTV to Deliver Local HD Programming in 25 More Markets

EL SEGUNDO, October 10: DIRECTV will offer local HD
broadcast networks in 67 markets, representing approximately 74 percent of U.S.
TV households, by year-end when it rolls out 25 more local HD markets in the
fourth quarter.

Local news, sports and prime time programming from ABC, CBS,
FOX and NBC will be available in HD to customers who subscribe to any TOTAL
CHOICE programming package that offers local channels. There is no additional
charge for local HD programming.

"With 67 markets receiving local HD channels from
DIRECTV by year-end, we've set the stage for our historic capacity expansion in
2007," said Dan Fawcett, executive vice president, programming
acquisition, DIRECTV. "This will enable us to leapfrog the multichannel
video industry in terms of the sheer volume of HD programming available to our
customers. With more than 44 million homes projected to have HD TV sets next
year, we expect to be the video provider of choice for those consumers,
offering the best lineup of HD programming, including local broadcast networks,
sports, special events, and national networks, as well as original and
exclusive programming."

With the launch of two new satellites – DIRECTV 10 and DIRECTV
11 – in 2007, DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500 local HD
and digital channels and 150 national HD channels.