DIRECTV Activates HD Local Channel Service in Austin, Texas, Cincinnati and Las Vegas

Local Channels in HD Have More Vivid Colors, Wider Images and Clearer, Crisper High-resolution Digital-quality Pictures

WHAT:
DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, is now offering local HD programming to customers in the Austin, Texas, Cincinnati and Las Vegas DMAs. With the addition of these markets, DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast channels in 42 cities, representing 62 percent of U.S. TV households. DIRECTV will launch additional HD local markets throughout the remainder of the year.

The local HD rollout is part of a nationwide expansion of HD programming that will culminate in 2007, when DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500 local HD channels and more than 150 national HD channels, establishing DIRECTV as the leading provider of HD programming.

WHEN:
Beginning today, Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2006

HOW:
Customers who subscribe to a programming package that includes local channels receive both the standard and HD signals at no extra monthly charge. Customers can receive local HD channels by purchasing an HD (H20) receiver or the new DIRECTV Plus HDDVR (HR20), which can record up to 50 hours of (MPEG4) programming, and satellite dish. Existing HD customers can upgrade their HD receiver and dish for $99 per receiver. New customers can take advantage of a $100 mail-in rebate on the DIRECTV HD and HDDVR receivers.

CONTACT:
DIRECTV, Inc.
Robert Mercer
310-964-4683
PainePR for DIRECTV
Danielle Kowalski
212-613-4912

Eligibility for local channels is based on service address within certain designated market areas as defined by Nielsen Media Research, Inc. Visit DIRECTV.com for more information.