DIRECTV is the Only Place to See the Premiere of Disney Channel's High School Musical 2 in HD; Three HD Screenings Scheduled Exclusively for DIRECTV Customers on August 24 on The 101

Fans of the Hit Television Movie Get up-Close-and-Personal with Their Favorite High School Characters in Disney Channel’s First-Ever HD Broadcast

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DIRECTV, the nation’s leading satellite television provider, ends the summer on a high note with the exclusive HD broadcast of the premiere of Disney Channel’s hit movie High School Musical 2 on August 24 at 6 p.m., 9 p.m., and midnight EST. Only DIRECTV customers can watch the three screenings in HD, with 5.1 digital audio, by tuning into DIRECTV’s original entertainment channel, The 101. Fans without DIRECTV can call 1-800-DIRECTV or log on to directv.com to make sure they don’t miss out on all the fun while at the same time securing the finest television experience in the country.

“This is just one of many ways DIRECTV will continue to be the HD leader in the industry in the months and years to come.”

“Come this fall, we will offer more national HD channels than any other TV service provider, so it makes sense that DIRECTV is the only place to see the HD premiere of this immensely successful pop culture phenomenon,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “This is just one of many ways DIRECTV will continue to be the HD leader in the industry in the months and years to come.”

"We are excited to bring High School Musical 2 in high-definition to DIRECTV's customers," said Nathalie Lubensky, senior vice president, affiliate marketing, Disney and ESPN Media Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing. "Making Disney Channel's latest blockbuster available for these special HD showings is not only great for fans of the movie, but is a perfect example of how we are dedicated to working with our affiliates to help drive their key business priorities."

High School Musical first premiered on Disney Channel in January 2006 and has since been seen by more than 200 million people around the world. In the sequel, it is summertime, school's out and the East High Wildcats yet again take center stage – this time at the Lava Springs Country Club, where Sharpay tries to lure Troy away from Gabriella and his friends and into a duet with her for the club's Midsummer Night's Talent Show.

High School Musical 2 will air three times on The 101, providing multiple opportunities for viewers to catch the HD adventures of some of their favorite high school heroes. In between each airing, The 101 will also feature additional Disney Channel programming including a sneak peek of the brand new upcoming animated comedy series Phineas and Ferb, High School Musical: The Concert and a variety of the channel's short form programming. The 101 is home to DIRECTV’s original entertainment featuring hit shows like Project MyWorld, Championship Gaming Series, DIRECTV Concert Series, and the Passions.

In early 2008, DIRECTV will launch Disney Channel HD, a simulcast of Disney Channel featuring the channel's blockbuster Disney Channel Original Movies in high-definition as well as original live action and animated series for older kids and Playhouse Disney programming for preschoolers.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16.3 million customers in the United States, through exclusive content, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ and MLB EXTRA INNINGS®. DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan™, US Open Interactive and YES Network Interactive and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.

About Disney Channel

Disney Channel is a 24-hour kid-driven, family inclusive television network that taps into the world of kids and families through original series and movies. Currently available on basic cable in over 90 million U.S. homes and to millions of other viewers on 27 Disney Channels around the world, Disney Channel is part of the Disney-ABC Television Group.