DIRECTV to Offer First Interactive, Multi-Screen Coverage of Masters Tournament

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DIRECTV will offer its customers an unprecedented level of coverage during the 2008 Masters Golf Tournament through a unique multi-channel broadcast package. The new service will combine live CBS and ESPN coverage of the Tournament with additional views of the legendary Augusta National Golf Club course, access to complete Tournament leader board information, hole-by-hole player statistics, scores, a course tour and on-demand Masters video clips. All Masters channels will be available in both HD and standard-definition to all DIRECTV customers.

“The magnitude of this coverage and the unprecedented production effort put forth by CBS and DIRECTV for this broadcast certainly befits the stature and tradition of the Masters Tournament, and we thank Chairman Payne for his support and interest in providing this extraordinary experience for our viewers.”

The 2008 Masters will be contested April 10-13 and the enhanced DIRECTV service will be available during ESPN coverage of the first two rounds and CBS coverage of the final two rounds on Saturday and Sunday.

The centerpiece of DIRECTV’s coverage of the Tournament will be the Masters Mix Channel, offering viewers a unique window on the fabled Augusta course with access to four different views on one screen, including a view dedicated to covering the famed “Amen Corner,” another focusing on critical finishing holes 15 and 16, a continuously updated highlight channel showcasing Tournament leaders and their scores, and the CBS national broadcast.

Viewers will also be able to access scores and stats, a top five leader board, Masters trivia and Tournament history by clicking on a small menu icon that appears on each channel.

“We are proud to be a part of the Masters tradition and have the opportunity to offer our customers expanded and enhanced coverage of what is already a special viewing experience for golf fans,” said Chase Carey, president and CEO, DIRECTV, Inc. “The magnitude of this coverage and the unprecedented production effort put forth by CBS and DIRECTV for this broadcast certainly befits the stature and tradition of the Masters Tournament, and we thank Chairman Payne for his support and interest in providing this extraordinary experience for our viewers.”

The Masters Mix Channel will be available on DIRECTV channels 701 (standard-definition) and 706 (high-definition) and will offer the following views within a single screen, including:

• View One – CBS and ESPN’s live coverage of the Tournament.
• View Two – “Today’s Highlights” offers a continuously updating loop of the best shots from the day’s play with voice-over providing context and commentary.
• View Three – “Amen Corner” provides complete coverage of the most famous stretch – holes 11, 12 and 13 – of Augusta National Golf Club. The channel will provide a continuous view of play as the field challenges this most treacherous part of the course.

• View Four – Holes 15 (the par 5 Firethorn) and 16 (the par 3 Redbud) spotlights this especially difficult part of the course, which can make or break a golfer’s round.

Each of the additional three Masters channels is a fully-produced channel with its own production crew, additional cameras and announcers – provided by CBS Sports and DIRECTV. Customers with interactive receivers can highlight any of the four views on the Mix screen to hear live audio on each and expand them to full screen by pressing the select button on their remote.

To round out what is the most Tournament coverage available from any provider, DIRECTV will offer an on-demand capability to all its DVR customers featuring a preview of the 2008 Tournament, a recap of the 2007 Masters and round-by-round highlights.

A special Masters show and recap will also air on The 101, DIRECTV’s original entertainment channel following the Tournament.

The Masters service joins DIRECTV’s industry-leading line-up of innovative interactive sports services that include NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ SuperFan^®, NASCAR HOTPASS™, MEGA MARCH MADNESS™, U.S. Open Tennis, U.S. Open Golf and YES Interactive.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to 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.