VOOM DOOM: DIRECTV Tosses Lifeline to VOOM Customers

[Gregg Lengling]

Limited Time Offer Includes $200 Mail-in Rebate Applied Toward DIRECTV HD or DIRECTV HD DVR Receivers


April 22, 2005--VOOM customers, despairing over the loss of their HD service, which goes dark at the end of this month, have been thrown a lifeline by DIRECTV. DIRECTV is offering a $200 mail-in rebate on its HD equipment exclusively to VOOM customers who will be without service when the company ceases operation on April 30, 2005.
All VOOM customers have to do is purchase a DIRECTV® HD System before June 30, 2005, subscribe to any TOTAL CHOICE® programming package for one-year and activate the DIRECTV® HD package, and they can get three months of free DIRECTV HD programming. VOOM customers can also get a DIRECTV HD system installed for as low as $99, after a $200 mail-in rebate or apply the rebate toward the purchase of a DIRECTV HD DVR. To take advantage of the offer, current VOOM customers must go to //www.directv.com/VOOM to download a $200 mail-in rebate form and send it with proof of a VOOM subscription and new DIRECTV HD System activation.

"VOOM customers need not despair over the loss of their HD programming," said Neal Tiles, executive vice president, Marketing, DIRECTV, Inc. "Our offer provides VOOM customers with an easy way to join the DIRECTV HD family, and thanks to unprecedented HD programming growth, including the launch of new HD programming during the second half of this year, there's never been a better time to become a DIRECTV HD customer."

As a leading provider of HD programming, DIRECTV offers HD feeds from all four major broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox (in select markets) - and an HD package that includes ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater(TM), HDNet, HDNet Movies and Universal HD, and is available by subscription for $10.99 per month. ESPN2 HD will be added to the HD package later this year at no additional charge. DIRECTV customers with HD-enabled equipment can also receive HBO® HDTV and SHO® HD as part of their premium package subscriptions, as well as HD Pay Per View movies for $4.99 each (when ordered by remote).

DIRECTV also airs more than 100 NFL games in HD during football season via a tiered upgrade of its exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) package.

To access DIRECTV HD programming, customers may purchase a DIRECTV-enabled high-definition set-top receiver or HD DVR and a single 18 x 20-inch multi-satellite dish with three LNBs. DIRECTV-enabled HD receivers and triple LNB satellite dishes are available from authorized DIRECTV retailers, such as Circuit City and Best Buy, nationwide.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc. is the nation's leading and fastest-growing digital multichannel television service provider with more than 13.9 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV - News) is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment services. DIRECTV is 34 percent owned by News Corporation.



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Contact:
     DIRECTV, Inc.
     Jade Ekstedt, (310) 964-3429



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Source: DIRECTV, Inc.

[bubbaridesfast]

Finally a word about ESPN2-HD!