Minneapolis, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Nashville, Kansas City, Columbus, Ohio and Birmingham to Begin Receiving Local HD Programming Today, Wednesday, April 19.
WHAT: DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital television service provider, announced today that it has begun offering local HD channels via satellite to customers in the Minneapolis, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Nashville, Kansas City, Columbus, Ohio and Birmingham DMAs. DIRECTV's roll out of local HD channels in eight more markets 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 a leading provider of HD programming. DIRECTV customers today have access to more than 900 hours of HD programming each week, as well as hundreds of hours of special event, movie and sports coverage. DIRECTV now offers local HD broadcast channels in 20 cities with plans to launch in an additional 16 cities by mid-year, offering access to DIRECTV-delivered local HD channels in more than 58 percent of U.S. television households. WHEN: Beginning today, Wednesday, April 19, 2006 HOW: Customers who subscribe to a programming package that includes local channels will receive both the standard and HD signals at no extra monthly charge. Customers can receive local HD channels by purchasing a new H20 HD receiver and satellite dish. DIRECTV is offering a $200 mail-in rebate to new and existing non-HD customers who purchase a DIRECTV HD receiver (limit one rebate per customer). Receiving equipment is available at major consumer electronics retailers like Best Buy or Circuit City, and through DIRECTV. CONTACT: DIRECTV, Inc. Robert Mercer 310-964-4683 PainePR for DIRECTV Elizabeth Owen 949-809-6734 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.