DIRECTV On Demand Now Available Nationwide

July 4, 2008, 9:06 am

DIRECTV's New On Demand Service Offers Thousands of Free Titles, Internet Program Guide, Rich Graphics and High-Definition

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., June 30, 2008 - DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, today launched its highly anticipated DIRECTV on Demand service to customers across the country. The platform is available at no additional charge to customers with a DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR or R22 DVR receiver, and offers more than 4,000 standard-definition and HD titles, 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week.

The service allows customers to download the programming of their choice from the DIRECTV on Demand library to their DVRs to enjoy whenever they want. The service offers one of the easiest-to-use on demand interfaces on television, with unique features that make navigating through titles simple and quick, including:
  • Customized Programmer Homepages - Each programmer has its own on demand channel that highlights the latest shows and movies available from the network. Each programmer page consists of rich graphics and posters that highlight the most popular content. The customized home pages correspond to the programmer's regular channel number with a "1" in front of it (i.e. The Discovery Channel is on 276, The Discovery Channel on Demand is at 1276.) Channel 1000 is the main home page for DIRECTV on Demand.
  • Internet Remote Scheduling - On demand customers have access to DVR Scheduler, which will allow them to remotely schedule on demand programming to their DVR from an internet-connected computer or mobile phone.
  • Free Titles - Thousands of free titles (in both standard-definition and HD) always available, including movies, TV series, kids shows, specialty programming (music, exercise, educational, and more.)
  • Expanded Pay Per View Titles - Expanded variety of pay per view titles is also available with on demand trailers.
"We couldn't be happier with the DIRECTV on Demand service. The folks here have actually made the on demand experience fun and enjoyable," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. "We are continuing to not only level, but elevate the playing field among pay TV providers with a dynamic on demand service that truly answers the needs of our customers and provides them with a robust lineup of on demand programming."

The DIRECTV on Demand service offers content downloaded via a broadband connection, while other content, primarily blockbuster movies, is pushed to the customer's DVR via satellite. Much of the content, depending on the speed of the customer's broadband connection and type of content, can be viewed in real time as it is being downloaded.

To begin receiving the DIRECTV on Demand service, customers can choose professional installation or request a self-installation kit. Customers will need broadband high-speed internet access, a router or Internet gateway with an available Ethernet port, and equipment to network the HD DVR or R22 DVR. Options to connect the receiver to the internet include: Internet Connection Kit (HomePlug® networking device), Ethernet cable or wireless (requires external adapter).




by Cody Ibanez in General
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DIRECTV Satellite Launch Sets the Stage for Delivery of Up To 150 National

June 18, 2008, 9:07 am
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

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.

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.



by Cody Ibanez in General
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