DIRECTV Customers Can Now Play Music and View Pictures on Their TV

SOURCE: DIRECTV Inc., Wednesday January 10, 2007

‘Intel, DIRECTV Customers Can Now Play Music and View Pictures on their TVs from their Intel(R) Viiv(TM) Technology-Based PCs via their DIRECTV Plus(R) HD DVRs.

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 10, 2007–DIRECTV, Inc., the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, announces that the DIRECTV Plus(R) HD DVR has been verified with Intel(R) Viiv(TM) technology. With this certification, DIRECTV becomes largest supplier of Viiv-verified digital media adapters (DMAs).

DIRECTV customers who have a DIRECTV Plus(R) HD DVR can now access and enjoy their pictures and music on their TVs directly from Intel Viiv technology-based PCs. The DIRECTV Plus(R) HD DVR is the world’s first digital set-top box with integrated DMA functionality verified to work with Intel Viiv technology.

“We announced our alliance with Intel at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show and we are happy to be here today, one year later, to show you the fruits of our labor,” said Romulo Pontual, executive vice president and CTO, DIRECTV, Inc. “The way people consume media is rapidly evolving and connectivity between digital devices is becoming an essential part of the home ecosystem. DIRECTV understands this evolution and is delivering innovative solutions to make sure our customers stay connected.”

“Today’s announcement marries the millions of Intel Viiv technology-based PC owners with DIRECTV’s high-definition TV viewers in a way that has never been done before,” said Kevin Corbett, vice president, Intel’s Digital Home Group and general manager of its Content Services Group. “DIRECTV’s product exemplifies what a digital or connected home is all about where PCs, TVs and CE devices all work in concert together and consumers enjoy their entertainment on a variety of screens and devices when and where they want to.”

Photos and music are just the beginning. The Viiv functionality is already available as a public beta trial to all DIRECTV Plus HD DVR customers. Later this year, DIRECTV plans to enhance the photo and music experience, as well as provide the ability to stream video from Intel Viiv technology-based PCs via DIRECTV Plus HD DVRs.

Delivering the ability to record and view 200 hours of standard definition content or 50 hours of MPEG 4 high-definition programming, the DIRECTV Plus(R) HD DVR receiver verified with Intel Viiv technology enables consumers to access and enjoy new experiences that combine the best of the TV with the best of the PC.

DIRECTV has established a dedicated location on the DIRECTV Web site to help customers understand the new connectivity options available to them. For more information and support customers can visit www.directv.com/viiv.

About Intel

Intel, the world leader in silicon innovation, develops technologies, products and initiatives to continually advance how people work and live. Additional information about Intel is available at www.intel.com/pressroom.

*Other brands may be claimed as the property of others. Intel and Intel Viiv are trademarks or registered trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other countries.’

DIRECTV Interactive Sports Takes Top Honors at 58th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy(R) Awards

SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc. Tuesday January 09, 2007

‘Third Emmy for DIRECTV’s Interactive Content

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 9, 2007–DIRECTV, Inc., today announced that it is once again being recognized for outstanding achievement in interactive television with an Emmy award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). DIRECTV received the award at the 58th Annual Technology & Engineering Emmy Awards held during the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Jan. 8, which was attended by more than 450 industry leaders.

DIRECTV was awarded the Emmy for its interactive sports applications in the category of Outstanding Achievement in Advanced Media Technology for the Synchronous Enhancement of Original Television Content. This most recent Emmy Award is DIRECTV’s third Emmy for interactive content and sixth Emmy overall.

“DIRECTV is honored to receive this Emmy award and would like to thank NATAS for continually acknowledging DIRECTV’s contributions to the television industry,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “We are committed to providing innovative technologies to our customers and are constantly looking for new ways to enhance the television viewing experience.”

DIRECTV received the award for innovation in television sports interactivity for its NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) service and its enhanced game function that gives customers detailed player and team stats, real-time scores and live updates from other games, as well as a game mix feature which gives viewers the ability to watch eight games at once on a single screen.
The award also recognized achievement for the MEGA MARCH MADNESS(R) sports package, which provides live scores, a game mix channel featuring up to four games on one screen and an on-demand tournament bracket where viewers can choose their teams and follow them throughout the tournament.

Additionally, the award recognized DIRECTV’s Sports Mix Channel and its ability to provide access to all Olympic coverage on one screen, a broadcast schedule of Olympic events, up-to-date medal counts and Team USA information.

About the Technical Emmy Awards

The National Television Academy is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime, Creative Arts, Public & Community Service, Technology & Engineering/Advanced Media and Business & Financial Reporting. Excellence in Primetime programming and international programming is recognized by its affiliate, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Regional Emmys are given in 19 regions across the United States. Beyond awards, the National Television Academy has extensive educational programs including National Student Television and its Student Award for Excellence for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public. For more information, please visit the website at www.emmyonline.tv.’

DIRECTV Takes Gaming World by Storm

SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc. Monday January 08, 2007

‘Fatal1ty Trades in Mouse for Microphone as Exclusive Commentator For DIRECTV’s Internationally Televised Video Gaming League

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 8, 2007–DIRECTV, the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, announced today at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show that it is taking the sports entertainment world by storm with launch of the Championship Gaming Series, an international video gaming league which will broadcast to over 100 million homes worldwide starting in Spring 2007 and airing nationally on DIRECTV’s The 101. The Series, which was originally announced last year, will expand to feature teams from North America, Latin America, United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia as the world’s top pro gamers battle in cyber-space for the international title and over $1 million in prize money.

DIRECTV is in final discussions with global entertainment giants British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) and STAR Asia, among others, to build an international network and to broadcast the Championship Gaming Series. In addition to international televised distribution, the series will partner with Internet powerhouse IGN Entertainment, a unit of Fox Interactive Media, to provide online coverage, creating a multi-platform opportunity to bring gaming to the masses. Gaming legend Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel will capture the action as the exclusive play-by-play commentator and global league spokesperson and advisor. With a roster of the best pro gamers in the world, unparalleled production values and best-in-class televised sports-style coverage, the series will be the dominant force in professional gaming worldwide.

The series will take the exploding phenomenon of professional gaming to the next level with high-definition televised league play using advanced technology to take viewers inside the games themselves. For the first time in the history of the sport, team members who qualify for the Championship Gaming Series will be drafted by franchises and paid salaries as full-time pro gamers. Team franchises will be led by salaried General Managers, who are established leaders in competitive gaming.
“We couldn’t help but notice that gaming had actually become a sport. Not only in the way the gamers created teams to compete, but also in their conditioning and mind set and dedication while playing. So it wasn’t a quantum leap to then determine if it was becoming a sport, we should cover it like a sport, said David Hill, President, DIRECTV Entertainment. “The reaction to our first production, the Championship Gaming Invitational, was little short of phenomenal, so it was a no-brainer to take this next logical step to create the series. We believe the combination of a world wide broadcast platform, coupled with forward thinking partners like Mountain Dew, will create a brand new sport which is truly universal. Championship Gaming Series has the potential to become the next soccer in terms of world wide appeal.”

The series will employ industry giants to transform the game action into compelling television for both gamers and non-gamers alike. Fatal1ty, who after dominating the sport for seven years, will take on a new role as exclusive play-by-play commentator for the Series. Eleven-time Emmy Award-winner Mike Burks will control multiple high-definition cameras, as well as virtual cameras to cover all the action, both on and off the playing field. With its unparalleled production value and televised sports-style coverage, the Championship Gaming Series will set the standard for professional gaming competitions worldwide.

“DIRECTV really understands the nature of gaming and has figured out how to turn the sport I love into something that gamers and non-gamers will enjoy on television,” said Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel. “I can’t wait to take over the microphone and play such an important role in the evolution and expansion competitive video gaming. Championship Gaming Series is going to be the best platform for aspiring gamers to realize what it takes to become an international gaming champion.”

“We are excited about the Championship Gaming Series and look forward to becoming the lead gaming and broadcast partner for the Series in the UK and Ireland. Gaming fits squarely into Sky’s strategy for providing an unmatched in-home entertainment experience and we look forward to moving ahead with the project,” comments James Baker, Managing Director of Sky Networked Media.

Championship Gaming Series will be structurally based in five regions around the world - North America, Latin America, UK, Europe and Australia/Asia/Middle East. Each region will host online qualifiers and live tournament events to determine the teams which will represent each area. From those competitions, twelve champion teams will emerge and compete in the league’s Grand Slam round. Grand Slam winners, both individuals and teams, will advance to the Championship Gaming Series World Championship, which will be hosted in the United States.

“The Championship Gaming Series has the potential to transform the professional gaming industry,” said Frank Cooper, vice president, flavored soft drinks, Pepsi-Cola North America. “As a founding partner of the series, Mountain Dew sees this as a unique opportunity to redefine our role in the world of gaming, supporting a unique initiative that enables gaming enthusiasts get closer to the latest technology.”

Championship Gaming Series teams will consist of squads dedicated to playing specific game genres, including racing, fighting, action/adventure/strategy and first person shooters. In the United States, the series will have six regional teams comprised of the best players in each gaming genre.

DIRECTV’s first U.S. Championship Gaming Invitational (CGI), which aired in July of 2006, was held in a 16,000-square-foot airplane hanger, at the former Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco. Competitors faced off in games such as Electronic Arts(TM) Battlefield 2(TM), Microsoft Game Studio’s(TM) Project Gotham Racing(R) 3 and Halo(R) 2, for prizes and instant money payouts. First prize winners included complexity, 20ID, Jason “FiddyownsU” Hodges, Joe “Phantom Hitman” Tackett and Emmanuel “MASTER” Rodriguez. The second CGI took place at Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, CA on December 16 and will premiere on DIRECTV’s The 101 in February, 2007.

About British Sky Broadcasting

Sky is the UK’s leading entertainment company and operates the most comprehensive multichannel, multi-platform television service in the UK and Ireland. Around 21 million viewers in 8.3 million households enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels and interactive services on Sky digital, the UK and Ireland’s first and most popular digital television service.

Sky is committed to offering customers an unparalleled choice in content, delivered through innovative and technological advanced platforms that best serve the demands of today’s viewers.

About Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel:

In 1999 Johnathan ‘Fatal1ty’ Wendel began his journey as the world’s first full time professional video gamer. Fatal1ty built his legend over the next 7 years by winning or placing top three in almost every tournament he contested. Johnathan has now turned his focus and determination to help make professional video gaming an established sport. Johnathan has joined forces with the Championship Gaming Series as exclusive commentator, global spokesperson and advisor to help take video gaming to this next step. Prior to joining the Championship Gaming Series in January 2007, Johnathan had already won 12 Major Championships, accomplished while competing in 5 different games - an unprecedented achievement. Fatal1ty has placed 1st in 65% of all the competitions he has entered and top 3 in 90% of them. To this day, having competed on six continents, Fatal1ty continues to dominate competitions worldwide.’

DIRECTV Anywhere, Anytime, Anyplace

SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc. Monday January 08, 2007

‘DIRECTV to Launch World’s First Fully Integrated, Portable Satellite and TV System - DIRECTV(R) Sat-Go

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Jan. 8, 2007–Going where no other television service provider has gone before, DIRECTV, the nation’s leading digital satellite television service, is introducing the world’s first fully-integrated, portable satellite and TV system -
DIRECTV(R) Sat-Go (Satellite-To-Go). This new product, created by DIRECTV and TV producer/writer, Rick Rosner, was unveiled today at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Scheduled to launch in spring 2007, DIRECTV Sat-Go will come in an easy-to-carry, briefcase-like design that includes a 17-inch LCD monitor with integrated DIRECTV Receiver, flat antenna and replaceable/rechargeable laptop-style battery. Once the DIRECTV Sat-Go unit is opened, its quick and simple setup makes it easy for customers to find line-of-sight with DIRECTV satellites and receive DIRECTV(R) programming within minutes (provided the user is within range of the DIRECTV signal).

DIRECTV(R) Sat-Go is specifically designed to be compact and highly portable for a variety of outdoor and indoor settings, including camping and hiking trips, RVing, tailgating, college dormitories, hospital rooms, hotels/motels, emergency response, and in-home as a second TV set.

“DIRECTV Sat-Go will revolutionize the way people stay connected to news and information no matter where they are in the United States,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment. “Not only is this product a die-hard sports fan’s dream and an absolute essential for the ultimate tailgate party, but it will also provide an important value for emergency services who need to stay connected to up-to-the-minute news and information while they are stationed remotely.”
DIRECTV(R) Sat-Go was conceived by television producer and first DIRECTV West Coast customer, Rick Rosner. Rosner, who was trying to find an alternative to bringing his DIRECTV Dish and Receiver with him while traveling to different location shoots across the country, teamed up with DIRECTV engineer, David Kuether, to develop the DIRECTV Sat-Go prototype.

“Lugging that equipment with me and trying to set it up in my hotel room was exhausting and I knew there had to be a better way to bring my DIRECTV service with me everywhere I went,” said Rosner, producer, Rosner Television. “DIRECTV Sat-Go is the answer that I, others in the industry, and many travelers have been searching for. It delivers everything my DIRECTV System at home gives me - the ultimate in TV viewing - in a portable and affordable travel system. Now I can take DIRECTV with me wherever I go and watch television in minutes.”

When not being used as a portable/travel unit, DIRECTV Sat-Go can also be utilized as a stand-alone, in-home DIRECTV Receiver and television. The LCD TV screen has a built-in DIRECTV Receiver, which can be separated from the DIRECTV Sat-Go antenna casing and connected to a customer’s existing DIRECTV Satellite Dish.

DIRECTV Sat-Go customers will have access to DIRECTV’s programming lineup, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) and MEGA MARCH MADNESS(R). For information on pricing for DIRECTV programming, please visit directv.com.

Key DIRECTV Sat-Go features include:

• Integrated 17-inch LCD monitor and satellite receiver with two speakers
• Compact and portable flat antenna and satellite receiver
• DIRECTV(R) programming accessed through a platform based on DIRECTV’s D11 set top box
• Small profile IR remote
• Component and composite A/V inputs
• Composite A/V out
• Satellite in connection
• Phone Jack
• USB connection
• AC and DC capable (cigarette lighter adapter included)
• Rechargeable, replaceable, laptop-style battery

Winner of an honoree award for “Most Innovative Portable Audio-Video Award” of the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show, DIRECTV(R) Sat-Go will be available through DIRECTV.com and select retailers across the country. Pricing details for DIRECTV(R) Sat-Go will be released at a later date.’

Court TV Dropped from DISH Network Lineup

SOURCE: SkyReport.com, Tuesday January 2, 2007

‘The year-end programming carriage spats that have surfaced between programmers and platform providers apparently caught up with a satellite TV service.

On New Year’s Day, CourtTV began carrying a message on its Web site saying its service is no longer available on DISH Network, EchoStar’s DBS offering. The site asks dedicated fans to stand up “to this injustice” and gives viewers a toll-free number they can call about the loss of service.

In response, EchoStar said in a statement it regrets the disruption of service. However, prior to the loss of CourtTV, the channel’s parent Turner Networks refused to offer an extension in the company’s America’s Top 120 Package for continued negotiations, the satellite TV company said.

“We are working hard to negotiate a fair contract with Turner Networks and CourtTV,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of programming for EchoStar’s DISH Network. “But we must also protect our customers from unreasonable demands. It is not fair to ask our customers to pay a DBS premium for a channel owned by the second largest cable operator, Time Warner. We take pride in offering consumers the best value for pay TV service in the industry, and we remain committed to keeping our cost structure low to the benefit of our customers.”

EchoStar said it “diligently tried” to reach an agreement with Turner Networks for continued carriage of CourtTV. “Unfortunately, Turner Networks refused to deliver an offer for carriage in America’s Top 120 package that fairly reflects CourtTV’s overall ratings performance and value,” the company said.’

DIRECTV – 2007’s HDTV Leader

SOURCE: SkyReport.com, Tuesday January 02, 2007

‘It’s no surprise that high-def TV had a killer year in 2006 as sales skyrocketed both online and at retailers nationwide. With the popularity of the technology reaching new levels, some researchers have projected more than 3.2 million flat-panel HDTVs to be sold to U.S. consumers during the past several weeks.

So with all those new TV sets in American homes, what can viewers expect from HDTV in 2007?

According to one of our favorite new HDTV experts, expect DIRECTV to firmly establish itself as the HDTV king as the company unveils its much-anticipated high-def expansion. HDTV writer Phil Swann (a.k.a. the Swanni, he tells us) said in 2007 DIRECTV will increase its national high-def lineup thanks to two new satellites dedicated largely to HD. Swann(i) said once the birds go up, DIRECTV will have more capacity than any other pay-TV provider.

Swann also said that once DIRECTV expands its capacity, the market will see a flurry of new HDTV channels launching in late spring or early summer. “Until now, a new HDTV channel has had to struggle to get a cable or satellite operator to add it,” he said. “But DIRECTV’s two new satellites will change that in a heartbeat; they will have room for all.” Likely candidates for HD launches, Swann said, could include CNN, E!, TBS, FX and The Sci-Fi Channel.

Other things the Swanni foresees in 2007 for HD: Cable operators will continue to drop analog channels to make room for HDTV, HDTV prices will continue to drop, Apple will introduce an HDTV service and multicasting will continue to struggle.’

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