DIRECTV Brings High-Definition Local Channels to New York Today

[Gregg Lengling]

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital television service
              provider, announced today that it has begun offering local
              high-definition (HD) channels via satellite to New York via new
              compression technology known as MPEG 4 AVC (Motion Picture
              Expert Group -- Advanced Video Compression).

              New York is one of dozens of cities that will receive HD
              local programming from DIRECTV using MPEG-4 AVC, the new
              standard in digital video compression, and advanced modulation
              that more than doubles the efficiency of DIRECTV's capacity.

              DIRECTV will carry each of the four primary broadcast networks
              that offer an HD feed in the market.  Customers who subscribe to
              a programming package that includes local channels will receive
              both the standard and HD signals at no extra monthly charge.

              DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast channels in 12 cities with
              plans to launch an  additional 24 cities early next year,
              offering access to DIRECTV-delivered local HD channels in more
              than 57 percent of U.S. television households.

              Customers can receive New York local HD channels by purchasing a
              new H20 HD receiver and a satellite dish that has the ability to
              receive programming from five different orbital locations.
              DIRECTV is offering new and existing non-HD customers who
              purchase a DIRECTV HD receiver a $200 mail-in rebate.  (Limit
              one rebate per customer.)  Receiving equipment is available at
              major consumer electronics retailers like Best Buy and Circuit
              City, and through DIRECTV.  Existing DIRECTV customers do not
              need to upgrade their HD equipment initially since their
              existing MPEG-2 receivers will continue to receive local HD
              broadcasts.

    WHEN:     Beginning today, the following high-definition local channels
              will be available to DIRECTV customers in the New York
              designated market area (DMA):

                          New York DMA New HD Local Channels*

              -- WABC/Channel 7                 -- WNBC/ Channel 4
              -- WCBS/Channel 2                 -- WNYW (FOX)/Channel 5

    Contact:  DIRECTV, Inc.                     PainePR for DIRECTV
              Jade Ekstedt                      Elizabeth Owen
              310-964-3429                      949-809-6734

    *  Eligibility for local channels is based on service address within
       certain designated market areas as defined by Nielsen Media Research,
       Inc.  Visit DIRECTV.com for more information.

[gparris]

Since these first 12 cities have local HD channels, I wonder when:

1)The next 12 will come on line and in what order.
2) When the first 12 will get the balance of WB HD, UPN HD and PBS HD locals.
3) What the timetable is for our #33 DMA will be and its corresponding HD balance of locals (see #2).
4) When the HD DVRs for Directv customers will finally be ready and if they will offer a rental option to directly compete with the HD cable subs.
5) If any HD national channels will be added since the first 12 HD locals have been added-this could be the turning point for those cable HD subs who have lost all patience with their cable companies pithy excuses for no HD channel additions (like us in TWC Milwaukeeland).