DirecTV Discloses HD Info

[Gregg Lengling]

DirecTV recently responded to inquiries from
the Federal Communications Commission
concerning its high-definition TV efforts,
including an assessment of the number of
HD set-top boxes deployed and how the
high-def business is going for the satellite
TV service.

In a letter detailing HD happenings, DirecTV
told commission officials that it has 180,000
active subscribers with HD set-top boxes.
The company also told the agency about
260,000 HD set-top boxes have been shipped.

DirecTV told the FCC that it anticipates rolling
out 30,000 to 50,000 HD-DVR set-top boxes in
2003 and 2004, with the bulk of shipments in
2004. Actual volumes for the product, which
allows for the digital recording of programming,
will depend on consumer demand, DirecTV said.

DirecTV also commented on the use of ATSC tuners
in HD set-top boxes. The company told FCC staff
that its HD models can receive over-the-air ATSC
broadcasts as effectively as other ATSC devices.

The follow-up letter came two weeks after DirecTV
executives met with commission officials on issues
concerning the delivery of local stations via
satellite. Satellite interests have been eyeing
efforts at the commission and on Capitol Hill
concerning the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement
Act, which is up for renewal in 2004.

DirecTV is not alone in its HD talk. In early
February, EchoStar Chairman Charlie Ergen met with
FCC commissioners to discuss concerns with a
requirement that would force satellite operators to
carry local broadcast signals in high-definition.
According to a FCC filing, Ergen also discussed
the possibility of requiring delivery of locals
on a single-dish, as well as consolidation in
the media marketplace.