DirecTV in the News

DIRECTV Offers Local Channels in Columbus

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2000--DIRECTV Inc., provider of the nation's leading digital television service, today announced the availability of local broadcast network channels via satellite for its DIRECTVŽ customers in Columbus, Ohio.

Beginning today, Wednesday, Dec. 13, all DIRECTV customers in the Columbus designated market area (DMA) will receive a free preview of their local broadcast network channel package.

DIRECTV customers in the Columbus DMA can subscribe to a local channel package that includes WCMH (NBC), WTTE (FOX), WSYX (ABC) and WBNS (CBS). DIRECTV customers can subscribe to their local channel package for $5.99 per month. In addition to local broadcast network channels, a national PBS feed is included in each local channel package at no additional charge.

``The availability of local channels ushers in a new era for DIRECTV, and we are excited to commence our local channel offerings in Columbus,'' said Stephanie A. Campbell, senior vice president, Programming for DIRECTV Inc. ``By offering local channels on DIRECTV, our customers can access entertainment and information that's most relevant to their lives and their community. Now is as good a time as any for consumers in this market to cut cable and choose DIRECTV as their source for home entertainment.''

Local Columbus channels from DIRECTV are available in the following counties: All zip codes in the following Ohio counties:

COSHOCTON         FRANKLIN        MADISON        PICKAWAY
CRAWFORD          HARDIN          MARION         PIKE
DELAWARE          HOCKING         MORGAN         ROSS
FAIRFIELD         KNOX            MORROW         UNION
FAYETTE           LICKING         PERRY

Local channels are delivered to DIRECTV customers in the Columbus area from DIRECTV's primary orbital slot at 101 degrees West Longitude. As a result, DIRECTV customers can receive their local channels as well as DIRECTV's current lineup of national digital entertainment and information programming through their existing set-top box and 18-inch antenna.