DIRECTV Extends Its HD lead With Over 160 HD Channels

MSNBC HD, ESPNU HD, Travel Channel HD, Hallmark Channel HD, Lifetime HD and Univision HD Are Among the New HD Channels to Begin launching in May

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — DIRECTV (NASDAQ:DTV), the world’s most popular video service, continues to deliver more full time HD channels than any other television provider in the nation with the addition of over 30 new HD channels. These new channels will begin rolling out in May and will continue in the following few months bringing DIRECTV’s total HD channel lineup to more than 160.

Among the 30 new HD channels that DIRECTV will begin launching next month are:

“From day one we have led the way with HD and, to the dismay of our competitors, that has not changed,” said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development for DIRECTV. “While DISH Network is very skilled at grossly inflating their HD numbers, you’d be hard pressed to find an actual list of comprehensive HD channels that match their recent claims. We invite consumers to go to DIRECTV.com/hdchannels to see a list of all of DIRECTV’s 160 HD channels. We challenge DISH to publish a list of all their full-time HD channels so consumers can decide and count for themselves.”

In addition to the new HD channels, beginning this June, DIRECTV will launch a suite of 3D channels, which will include N3D™ powered by Panasonic, ESPN 3D, a 3D DIRECTV Cinema channel; and a 3D DIRECTV on Demand channel.

DIRECTV continues to lead the industry with the most sports in HD by broadcasting exclusive interactive sports packages like NFL SUNDAY TICKET™ and NCAA® MEGA MARCH MADNESS™ all in crystal-clear HD. DIRECTV will also continue to add HD content to its DIRECTV on Demand platform. In addition, DIRECTV delivers local HD programming to 138 markets, representing 92 percent of U.S. TV households.