DirecTV in the News

DIRECTV Offers Local Channels in New Orleans

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. Aug. 6, 2002--DIRECTV announced it will begin broadcasting local channels in New Orleans.

DIRECTV currently offers local channels in 47 major metropolitan markets via its high-power DIRECTV® digital satellite television service. New local channel markets launched recently include Providence, R.I., Oklahoma City, Buffalo, N.Y., and Grand Rapids, Mich. DIRECTV plans to offer local broadcast channels in 51 markets by year-end, representing more than 67 percent of U.S. television households.

The new markets, including New Orleans, will receive local channels from a DIRECTV satellite at the 119-degree West Longitude (WL) orbital slot, requiring the use of a multi-satellite capable DIRECTV System, which includes a single 18-by-24-inch dish and receiver. Currently most local channels from DIRECTV are broadcast from its primary orbital slot at 101 degrees WL.

"Consumers in New Orleans will soon have a complete alternative to their local cable provider," said Roxanne Austin, president of DIRECTV, Inc. "Local channels are an important programming staple for viewers, who should not have poor quality off-air signals or cable service as their only choices for local news coverage or their favorite network TV shows."

The successful launch and deployment late last year of a new, high-power spot-beam satellite provided additional capacity to expand existing local channel packages and made available capacity at 119 degrees. The DIRECTV 5 satellite launched last May is operating at the 119-degree orbital slot and has expanded capacity there, enabling DIRECTV to serve additional local channel markets.

DIRECTV recently received the highest score for customer satisfaction among satellite and cable TV companies rated by the American Customer Satisfaction Index.