DIRECTV Serves Up Exclusive 3D Tennis Experience

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--For the first time, tennis fans will soon be able to watch the world’s top players battle it out for the prestigious 2010 US Open title in 3D, only on DIRECTV. DIRECTV and Panasonic will deliver live 3D coverage of the 2010 US Open, exclusively on n3D™ powered by Panasonic (channel 103).

“Watching the US Open in 3D gives DIRECTV tennis fans a court-side view of the tournament’s most highly anticipated matches”

Throughout Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4-6, n3D will air CBS Sports’ center court coverage of both the men’s and women’s third and fourth rounds from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. EDT each day. DIRECTV will also broadcast coverage of the semifinal and final rounds on:

Sept. 10 from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT
Sept. 11 from 12:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT and 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT
Sept. 12 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. EDT

Immediately following the East Coast broadcast, DIRECTV will re-air matches played throughout the day.

“Watching the US Open in 3D gives DIRECTV tennis fans a court-side view of the tournament’s most highly anticipated matches,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president of Content Strategy and Development for DIRECTV. “Our 3D broadcast will bring every serve, volley and passing shot to life in viewers’ living rooms, giving them a completely different perspective on the game. Coming off of our successful 3D broadcast of the 2010 MLB All-Star Game earlier this summer, we are excited to offer the first 3D tennis event exclusively on DIRECTV and look forward to providing our customers with even more compelling 3D content that they can’t get anywhere else.”

Panasonic and DIRECTV will also provide the US Open semifinal and final matches live in 3D to hundreds of TV retail outlets nationwide, including Best Buy stores, as part of the Sept. 10-12 “National 3D Demo Days” organized by the Consumer Electronics Association.

In addition to the 3D broadcast, DIRECTV will continue to deliver the DIRECTV 2010 US OPEN Experience, a free, interactive service that will offer more than 550 hours of live tennis action, more than doubling the 250 hours available on ESPN2, Tennis Channel, and CBS, the event’s broadcast partners. DIRECTV’s exclusive television coverage (on channels 701-708) delivers up to 140 extra matches that cannot be seen anywhere else, with five extra court channels – all in HD – in addition to the main network feed on DIRECTV’s innovative six-on-one-screen Mix Channel. Each live court channel will feature natural sound and commentary from tennis experts and former touring pros. More DIRECTV US Open programming information is available by visiting DIRECTV.com/usopen.

n3D™ powered by Panasonic is now available at no additional cost to millions of DIRECTV HD customers. In addition to 3D events such as the 2010 MLB All-Star Game, the NASCAR Coke Zero 400 race and ESPN’s 3D coverage of the Summer X Games 16, n3D customers will also have access to exclusive, original 3D programming such as Guitar Center Sessions with Peter Gabriel and Jane’s Addiction.

DIRECTV HD customers received a free software upgrade that enables them to have access to the 3D channels on DIRECTV. DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is the world’s most popular video service delivering state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming, the most comprehensive sports packages available and industry leading customer service to its more than 26.3 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 18.7 million customers access to 160 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound (when available), access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, award winning technology like its DIRECTV® DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for ten years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 7.6 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit directv.com.