DirecTV in the News

DirecTV Launches Family Package

A la Carte FAMILY Package Includes Odyssey, PBS KIDS, The Biography Channel, Discovery Kids, DIY, Boomerang, Oxygen and SoapNet

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--April 4, 2000-- Furthering its position as the best source for quality programming for the entire family, DIRECTV, Inc. today announced the addition of a new a la carte FAMILY package to the DIRECTVŽ digital satellite television service. The FAMILY programming option includes eight new channels and a national feed of PBS.

From May 25 to June 30, customers of the high-power DIRECTV service will enjoy a free preview of the a la carte programming package, which includes Odyssey Network, PBS KIDS Channel, Discovery Kids Channel, The Biography Channel, DIY (Do It Yourself), Boomerang, Oxygen, SoapNet and PBS.

``With presence in one of every 12 TV homes in the country, DIRECTV has been embraced by families as their preferred source for home entertainment,'' said Stephanie Campbell, senior vice president of Programming for DIRECTV, Inc. ``Our FAMILY package further expands the breadth of programming available from DIRECTV and provides our customers with a slate of diverse, family-focused channels for every member of the family.''

The FAMILY package will be available for $5 per month beginning July 1 and will be added to customers' existing programming as an a la carte service.

New Channel Descriptions
    -- Odyssey Network -- "the First Network for Today's Family,"
        from Henson & Hallmark Entertainment, Odyssey features
        exclusive movies, original series, documentaries and "Prime
        Family Time," designed to bring families together with popular
        programming.

    -- PBS KIDS Channel -- children's programming from the Public
        Broadcasting Service, featuring programs loved by kids and
        trusted by parents: "Barney," "Mister Rogers," "Teletubbies"
        and others.

    -- The Biography Channel -- from A&E, "the world of exceptional
        people," offers movies, documentaries and original short
        features profiling historic figures, entertainers, great women
        and other notable individuals.

    -- Discovery Kids Channel -- designed for young people ages 7
        through 14, Discovery Kids Channel offers hip new adventure
        programming, entertainment trivia and programs made by kids,
        for kids.

    -- DIY -- the Do It Yourself Network, also featuring DIY Kids,
        takes viewers step by step through home improvement with
        original programming and how-to shows on home and garden
        repair, design and maintenance.

    -- Boomerang -- featuring classic Hanna-Barbera favorites from
        the "TV generation," including cartoon icons Fred Flinstone,
        Yogi Bear, Huckleberry Hound, Popeye and George Jetson.

    -- Oxygen -- the TV channel for women, by women. Integrated with
        an online network, Oxygen offers original and diverse
        programming seven days a week dedicated to empowering and
        educating women.

    -- SoapNet -- the first 24-hour network devoted to soap operas
        and their fans, SoapNet offers original programming on
        "SoapCenter," highlighting today's soap stars and same-day
        telecasts of popular soaps including "General Hospital" and
        "All My Children."

DIRECTV currently features children's and women's programming from a number of networks in its programming lineup, including: Cartoon Network, Disney Channel (east and west), FOX Family Channel, The Learning Channel, Nickelodeon (east and west), Nick at Nite's TV Land, Toon Disney and Lifetime Television for Women. In addition, all DIRECTV Systems include a ``locks and limits'' parental-control feature, which enables families to restrict pre-selected types of programming.