DirecTV Offers HDTV In Space

by Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 11/16/2007

El Segundo, Calif. – DirecTV has offered to outfit the new living space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) with a 42-inch HDTV and a package of high-def TV channels from its service.

DirecTV said it is taking advantage of the station’s newly repaired solar array and the addition of the Harmony module offering expanded living space to present the gesture.

“If NASA accepts DirecTV’s offer, the nation’s No. 1 satellite TV company is prepared to offer its top engineer to assist in the installation of the familiar satellite dish on the roof of the new module,” DirecTV stated.

“Sure, there’s the awe-inspiring view of planet earth from more than 200 miles up, but what do you do for an encore after you’ve entered your 180th day in space?” asked Jon Gieselman, DirecTV marketing senior VP. “But on a more serious note, we truly applaud both the shuttle and ISS crew for their incredible accomplishments and are honored to offer an HD experience worthy of the International Space Station. As a satellite TV service we obviously have a vested interest in space exploration and we’ve certainly benefited from NASA’s many technical and scientific achievements over the years. This is one way we can give a little something back.”

DirecTV’s offer also underscores its recently expanded HDTV channel package, which will include up to 100 national HD channels by the end of the year, the company said.

NASA had not issued a statement on whether or not it will accept the offer as this was posted.

DirecTV will launch its DirecTV 11 satellite early next year to support further HD expansion, the company said. The additional bird will give the satellite service the ability to offer 150 national HD channels and 1,500 local HD and digital channels in addition to new advanced programming services for customers, the company said.