DirecTV Talks HD, Dual-Carriage Issues at FCC

[Gregg Lengling]

As it prepares for an expansion of high-def programming, including local HD, DirecTV approached the Federal Communications Commission with concerns about possible future mandates and restrictions that could challenge its HD future offerings.

In a presentation recently given to staff with the FCC's Media and International bureaus, DirecTV executives said any dual carriage requirement, which would require delivery of both broadcast digital and analog signals, would reduce the number of markets that it could provide local TV service. DirecTV executives also said that any dual carriage requirement may violate the Constitution.

"DirecTV is making a significant investment in the infrastructure necessary to provide the best consumer experience by adding significant HD programming," the satellite TV company said in its presentation.

DirecTV said high-def places much greater burdens on DBS when compared to cable operators since satellite TV has limited capacity, a larger number of stations to carry from coast to coast, and since HD carriage increases - rather than decreases - bandwidth demand. In addition, DirecTV said that continued use of compression is critical for any HD carriage.

In its presentation, DirecTV detailed its future satellite launch plans, in which two Spaceway satellites set for flight next year will deliver 500 local HD channels and two additional satellites set for launch in 2007 will have capacity for an additional 1,000 local HD channels.

DirecTV said the Ka-Band satellites will increase capacity available for HD programming through higher order modulation, more advanced compression and the better use of spot beams. However, "Any HD carriage requirement prior to launch of all four satellites would severely limit DirecTV's ability to serve local markets," the company said.

Those meeting with FCC officials on DirecTV's behalf were Romulo Pontual, executive vice president and chief technology officer, and Susan Eid, stated the company's filing at the commission.