DIRECTV to Offer HD Local
Channels in 121 Markets by Year-End
28 July 2008
DIRECTV, Inc., continues to
strengthen its HD presence with the
addition of 44 new HD local channel
markets. By the end of 2008, DIRECTV
will provide local HD broadcast
channels in 121 cities, representing
more than 88 percent of U.S. TV
households. DIRECTV will begin the
rollout of the new HD local markets
in August and continue through the
end of the year.
“With
the rollout of 44 new HD local
markets, DIRECTV continues to
strengthen its position as the
leading provider of quality HD
programming among cable and
satellite competitors nationwide,”
said Derek Chang, executive vice
president, Content Strategy and
Development, DIRECTV, Inc.
“Our
DIRECTV 11 satellite has recently
begun operations and significantly
expands our capacity for more
national and local HD channels. And
as we have with the SuperFan®
service for MLB EXTRA INNINGS®
and NFL SUNDAY TICKET™
and our multi-screen coverage of US
Open golf, we will continue to use
HD to enhance our unique interactive
services to provide our customers
with more of what they want and
expect from us –
the best television experience
available.”
DIRECTV will deliver HD
programming from the primary
broadcast networks
– ABC,
CBS, Fox and NBC
– where available and
authorized, to customers who
subscribe to any TOTAL CHOICE®
programming package that offers
local channels. DIRECTV HD customers
will continue to pay only a $9.99
access fee, allowing them to receive
DIRECTV’s
premier HD technology and all
channels broadcast in HD that are
tied to their particular base
programming package.
Customers should visit
directv.com to learn more about the
full complement of DIRECTV’s
HD programming lineup including
existing channels, new channels,
details on equipment required for
the new DIRECTV HD services and
updates on when the new markets
will launch.
With the DIRECTV 11 satellite
just introduced to the fleet and the
launch of the DIRECTV 12 satellite
next year, DIRECTV will have the
capacity to deliver 200 national HD
channels and 1,500 local HD and
digital channels in addition to new
advanced programming services for
customers nationwide.
