DirecTV To Add HD Channels From 14 Markets

By Staff -- TWICE, 5/8/2006

El Segundo, Calif. — DirecTV said it will add local HD programming from 14 additional markets later this year, bringing the company's local HD market total to 50 major metropolitan areas, representing 65 percent of all U.S. TV households.

Local HD TV service will include primetime programming and other HD events from affiliates of ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Subscribers receiving the new services will be required to carry a Total Choice programming package with local channels; no additional charge will be asked for the added HD channels.

The 14 new local HD markets include Austin and San Antonio, Texas; Albuquerque, N.M.; Cincinnati; Grand Rapids, Iowa; Green Bay and Madison, Wisc.; Greensboro, N.C.; Las Vegas and Reno, Nev.; Memphis, Tenn.; Portland, Maine; Portland, Ore.; and Providence, R.I.

DirecTV said it will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500 local HD channels and 150 national HD channels following the launch of two new satellites next year.

(For DirecTV's first-quarter financial report, visit www.TWICE.com.)