DIRECTV Satellite Launch Sets the Stage for Delivery of Up to 150 National HD Channels

DIRECTV 11 Will Deliver Big Boost to HD Capacity and Expand Industry-Leading HD Lineup; With Next Satellite Launch in 2009 DIRECTV Will Have Capacity for Up to 200 National HD Channels

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A powerful, new DIRECTV satellite, launched successfully today from the Pacific Ocean-based Sea Launch platform, will further boost DIRECTV’s HD capacity, enabling the industry’s HD leader to deliver up to 150 national HD channels when the satellite goes into service this fall. With the additional capacity, DIRECTV will also expand its delivery of local HD channels to more than 100 markets, representing 84 percent of U.S. TV households.

“We are continuing to enhance the DIRECTV HD platform by broadcasting our exclusive, interactive sports packages like NCAA® MEGA MARCH MADNESS™, NASCAR HOTPASS™ and NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ all in HD and adding more HD content to our DIRECTV On Demand VOD platform that will formally launch in the coming weeks.”

DIRECTV will launch another satellite in 2009 that will enable the nation’s leading satellite TV service to offer consumers up to 200 national HD channels.

DIRECTV 11, a Boeing 702 model satellite, lifted off from the Odyssey Launch Platform aboard a Sea Launch Zenit-3SL rocket at 3:48 p.m. PDT from the equatorial Pacific launch site at 154 degrees West longitude.

After one hour and 55 seconds in flight, the rocket left the spacecraft in a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a high point of 1,323 miles (2,130 km) above the Indian Ocean. The satellite’s ultimate geostationary orbit position will be at 22,236 miles (35,786 km) above the earth. Controllers at the ground station in Hartebeesthoek, South Africa have made contact with the satellite and confirmed that all systems are functioning properly.

“Our new DIRECTV 11 satellite will soon join its sister satellite in orbit to form the most robust HD delivery system in the multichannel video industry and will be instrumental in maintaining DIRECTV’s position as the undisputed leader in HD for years to come,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc.

“The strength of our HD offer is not only about the quality and quantity of our national HD channels,” he added. “We are continuing to enhance the DIRECTV HD platform by broadcasting our exclusive, interactive sports packages like NCAA^® MEGA MARCH MADNESS™, NASCAR HOTPASS™ and NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ all in HD and adding more HD content to our DIRECTV On Demand VOD platform that will formally launch in the coming weeks.”

DIRECTV 11, the tenth owned and operated satellite in the DIRECTV fleet, will be maneuvered into a circular orbit at 99.2 degrees West longitude and when tests are completed, it is expected to begin operations in early September, providing capacity for up to 50 additional national HD channels.

The DIRECTV 11 satellite’s powerful spot beam transponders will also begin delivery of local HD channels to new markets across the U.S., expanding the number of markets where DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast networks to more than 100 by the end of 2008. DIRECTV now offers its customers an industry-leading 92 national HD channels and provides local HD broadcast channels in 77 cities, representing approximately 76 percent of U.S. TV households.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV), the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16.8 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with 92 national HD channels – more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.