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DirecTV Flips 2 Birds Into Orbit

El Segundo, Calif. –DirecTV launched two new satellites to expand capacity for HD and 4K Ultra HD channels in the U.S. and Latin America and back up its existing satellite fleet.

The dual launch follows the December 2014 launch of a U.S. satellite that became operational in the second quarter.

The more-than-six-ton D-15 satellite reaches the continental U.S., Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico and is the first DirecTV satellite able to operate in all five DirectTV U.S. orbital slots and in all frequency bands (Ku, Ka and Reverse Band). It is designed to provide service for more than 15 years.

The SKYM-1 satellite will double HD capacity in Mexico, Central America, Cuba and the Caribbean. It is designed to provide service for more than 15 years.

Both were launched yesterday on a single Ariane 5 launch vehicle operated by Arianespace from the European Spaceport in Kourou, French Guiana. Video replays of the launch are available on www.directv.com.

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