WHAT: DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital television service provider, announced today that it has begun offering local high-definition (HD) channels via satellite to New York via new compression technology known as MPEG 4 AVC (Motion Picture Expert Group -- Advanced Video Compression). New York is one of dozens of cities that will receive HD local programming from DIRECTV using MPEG-4 AVC, the new standard in digital video compression, and advanced modulation that more than doubles the efficiency of DIRECTV's capacity. DIRECTV will carry each of the four primary broadcast networks that offer an HD feed in the market. Customers who subscribe to a programming package that includes local channels will receive both the standard and HD signals at no extra monthly charge. DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast channels in 12 cities with plans to launch an additional 24 cities early next year, offering access to DIRECTV-delivered local HD channels in more than 57 percent of U.S. television households. Customers can receive New York local HD channels by purchasing a new H20 HD receiver and a satellite dish that has the ability to receive programming from five different orbital locations. DIRECTV is offering new and existing non-HD customers who purchase a DIRECTV HD receiver a $200 mail-in rebate. (Limit one rebate per customer.) Receiving equipment is available at major consumer electronics retailers like Best Buy and Circuit City, and through DIRECTV. Existing DIRECTV customers do not need to upgrade their HD equipment initially since their existing MPEG-2 receivers will continue to receive local HD broadcasts. WHEN: Beginning today, the following high-definition local channels will be available to DIRECTV customers in the New York designated market area (DMA): New York DMA New HD Local Channels* -- WABC/Channel 7 -- WNBC/ Channel 4 -- WCBS/Channel 2 -- WNYW (FOX)/Channel 5 Contact: DIRECTV, Inc. PainePR for DIRECTV Jade Ekstedt Elizabeth Owen 310-964-3429 949-809-6734 * Eligibility for local channels is based on service address within certain designated market areas as defined by Nielsen Media Research, Inc. Visit DIRECTV.com for more information. PRNewswire-FirstCall -- Dec. 28 DATASOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc. Web site: http://www.directv.com/

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