Celebrate Cinco De Mayo with Direct TV

Cinco de Mayo is a regional holiday in Mexico, celebrating the Mexican army’s defeat of the much better armed and equipped French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It’s often confused with Mexican Independence Day, which is September 16.

In other countries around the world, including the U.S., revelers celebrate Mexican culture and heritage on Cinco de Mayo. For those who want an easy way to get immersed in Mexican and Hispanic culture and heritage, what better way than to watch Spanish-language programming on Direct TV?

Direct TV offers an incredible array of Spanish programming, ranging from sports to news to telenovelas - and so much more. Spanish-speaking (or aspiring Spanish-speaking) TV viewers can get 275+ channels with the Lo Maximo package from Direct TV. These include Azteca America, ESPN Deportes, Gol, Mexicanal, Univision, Cine Nostalgia, Cine Latino, Fox Sports en Espanol, Discovery en Espanol, Discovery Familia, History en Espanol, CNN en Espanol and so much more.

By regularly watching sports, news and even movies in Spanish on Direct TV, you may find yourself being able to speak a few words yourself. Don’t restrict your Cinco de Mayo celebration to enjoying margaritas and enchiladas at your favorite Mexican restaurant. Truly immerse yourself in the culture with Spanish-language programming from the satellite TV leader, Direct TV.

And for even more international flavor, explore the full array of WorldDirect Direct TV packages featuring Chinese, Italian, Polish, Russian, Vietnamese, Arabic, Brazilian and Korean programming.

Watch the Quail Hollow Championship in HD on DIRECTV

Calling all golf fans - the drama and excitement of the Quail Hollow Championship is playing out right now in Charlotte, North Carolina, as Tiger Woods opened this morning with a seven-under-par 65, taking an early lead.

Currently there’s a five-way tie among Lucas Glover, Retief Goosen, Jeff Maggert, Hunter Mahan and Phil Mickelson for the number-two slot, all with four under par. It’s Woods’ first time at the tournament since his 2007 win. His 65 is his lowest round of golf since the Buick Invitational well over a year ago.

If you’re not in Charlotte for the weekend, you can still catch all the action on the links with DIRECTV. The leading provider of satellite television services brings you The Golf Channel - and the Quail Hollow Championship - in brilliant, crystal-clear HD on channel 218. You’ll feel like you’re right there on the course with Woods and Phil Mickelson and all your other favorites. And you can enjoy it all in the comfort of your air-conditioned home rather than battling the 80+ degree heat and thunderstorms predicted in Charlotte this weekend.

Experience the Quail Hollow Championship the way it was meant to be - in amazing HD on DIRECTV. For more information about the tournament, visit The Golf Channel’s Quail Hollow Championship page at http://www.thegolfchannel.com/pga-tour/2009-quail-hollow-championship/overview/ for up-to-the minute news and stats.

DIRECTV Delivers Full-Throttle Action with NASCAR HotPass in HD

That pungent whiff of gasoline, the distinct squeal of burning rubber, the thrill of a high-speed ride—who can resist the rush of a race?  As a society, we have also been fascinated by speed.  So it’s no surprise that NASCAR, more formerly known as the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, has gripped the nation in its high-speed frenzy. In fact, NASCAR is the second most popular professional televised sport, with the NFL coming in narrowly at first place. NASCAR is the ultimate expression of our love of speed. Now, thanks to DIRECTV,  the leader in sports and HD, you can experience NASCAR as never before, up close and personal, without having to lay down one pretty penny.

NASCAR HotPass is being offered free of charge to all DIRECTV subscribers. This means you’ll get in-depth, crystal-clear, HD coverage of all your favorite races. NASCAR HotPass is indeed, a one of a kind program which you won’t see anywhere else. It dishes up behind-the-scenes coverage and real-time stats and audio. HotPass gets into the cockpit with the driver, so you can see all the heart-pounding, non-stop action.  Five channels are selected for exclusive, insider access to some of the most popular up-and-coming drivers, as well as their more established counterparts. You will be able to get an inside look at what’s going on inside the car and out, with full radio communication feeds between the drivers and their pitcrews.

You can also take advantage of the stunning camera coverage, as there are more than 20 cameras dedicated to showing you every twist and turn the cars make.  There are overhead pit box cameras, shoulder cameras for the pit crew, in-car cameras, and overhead cameras at key turning points. Watch in crisp, HD clarity as the cars barrel down the speedway, at lightning fast velocity. Take advantage of the three-in–one view, with three shots available on one screen. Your head will spin.  

HotPass  and DIRECTV also bring you a dedicated team of professional announcers along with a full list of stats in real time. Find out how fast your favorite driver is going and how much horsepower is in action.  Get the inside scoop. Watching NASCAR HotPass in HD is like being on the track; in fact, it’s the next best thing. Don’t miss out on the action. Call today to learn more about HotPass and other exciting DIRECTV packages for sports fans.

Your Direct TV DVR Does Even More

Digital video recorders, or DVRs, really have revolutionized the way Americans watch the tube.  Gone are the days of boring commercials and missed, priceless moments of entertainment—the most important scene, the game-winning play that you didn’t see because you had to get up to answer the door, go to the bathroom, check the oven, etc.  No, these travesties no longer must define the way the average person enjoys the television, all thanks to a little gadget known as the Direct TV DVR.

When satellite TV customers and others first got their hands on DVRs, it was amazing enough just to be able to record so many hours of programming, and keep it stored away to be enjoyed whenever they wanted.  Then, the shock of the privilege of being able to fast-forward through commercials really blew a lot of people away; nothing could be better than that, right?  Then they discovered that any show they watched, programmed to record or not, could be paused and rewound.  Then came the HD DVR, with the inherent superiority in quality that they imply.  Then, people learned that they could record two separate programs at once…a true revelation.  But, is that the end of the long line of benefits that DVRs have for today’s demanding customers?

No, it is not: there is one more excellent benefit to the DVR that really rounds out the motto of “full control” over your TV-watching practices.  What would it be?  The fact that you are able to not only schedule your recordings with your remote from the sofa, but you can also do so from anywhere with computer or phone access!  That’s right, you can program your recordings on your DVR by simply logging in to your Direct TV satellite TV account, something that can be done over the phone or over the internet, and looking at the program guide, selecting whatever new additions to your lineup you should choose.  When you get home, they will be there in your playlist just like the ones you chose with your remote, no difference whatsoever.

Since the average person tends to remember things at the inopportune moment—in this case, when they are not at home, which is most of the day for working people—this feature to the DVR is a complete lifesaver.  No more must you go through the rest of the day annoyed that you remembered there was that important show (whatever it may be) but won’t be able to watch it: with just a couple of clicks of the mouse, or a few buttons on the phone, your problem will be resolved, and your power over your TV-watching experience will be fully yours like never before.

So, if you are still suffering through the boredom of “regular” TV—that is to say, TV unenhanced by all these tremendous benefits—then suffer no more, and get yourself one of the great Direct TV packages that include a DVR.  You will thank yourself for that decision for as long as you sit down in front of the tube, which for most people is just about every day.

March Madness Basketball Glory on Direct TV

Good weather can take a hiatus during the month of March as far as college basketball fans are concerned, for they will be hunkered down in their living rooms paying close attention to the onscreen action. No matter where you live, Direct TV has all of the heart pumping competitive glory of March Madness. Fans can cheer their favorite teams on or adopt new schools to cheer for through each round of the championships. The high emotions and intense athleticism of college basketball have the power to rouse the most apathetic of viewers into a frenzy of cheers and jeers.

Direct TV packages like Mega March Madness bring all of the excitement of March Madness directly to audiences all over the country. The unique attitude that surrounds the college basketball championships makes the whole month a spectacle anyone can get swept up in. The intense determination on the faces of the players and their coaches is broadcast right into your home, offering sideline and aerial views of college basketball at its best. The weaving of intricate plays and the gravity defying moves of the young players are nothing short of awe inspiring, even if your grasp on the game’s rules are a little hazy.

Seeing the passion of these kids in high definition is infectious. The love of the game and desire to win is palpable as you watch teams battle till the end, each game being a culmination of a whole season of hard work. The accessibility of games through satellite makes March Madness something all people can easily get lost in as it is right at their fingertips. Whether a lifelong fan or a new recruit to the following, March Madness can appeal to anyone who appreciates people working their way to the top.  The blood, sweat, and tears these kids put into their craft is extremely admirable.

Direct TV offers so many sports channels that you can follow multiple games at the same time by simply flipping through the different channels. Every time out or half time gives you the opportunity to check the happenings of another game. When a game is looking to be a blow out that provides you the freedom to totally engross yourself in the drama of a nail biting close call. The beauty of March Madness is that only the best teams are featured in the games, meaning each contest is likely to be fought hard right down the last second. This intensity and high performance is what makes the college basketball championships so enticing to all viewers, whether they are regular fans or not.

The month of March changes a lot of people for those four great weeks. College basketball fans who have been following all of the great teams throughout the entire season get to see how these titans of basketball come up against one another and those who do not usually follow the action are sucked in to the overwhelming excitement. Direct TV deals bring the action and passion of March Madness right into the homes of viewers everywhere, allowing fans of all degrees of loyalty the opportunity to indulge in their passion all month long.

Direct TV - The Perfect Concert Venue

The last major concert I went to was great in a lot of ways – there was the energy of the crowd and I got to hang out with my friends.  On the other hand, the wind made it freezing cold and our “awesome tickets” that we had paid extra for to be on the ground near the stage ended up meaning that we couldn’t actually see a single thing happening on stage.  The sound system was great so I still thoroughly enjoyed the live music, and the massive screens showed me everything I was blocked from seeing due to the abnormally tall audience.  I had fun, bought the t-shirt, and afterwards spent 45 minutes getting out of the stadium and another 2 hours trying to track down a vacant cab to take me home, and when I finally found one, we sat in interminable post-concert traffic.  It got me to thinking: I spent all that time, money, and energy just to watch a concert on a screen.  Couldn’t I do all that from home?

The obvious answer was that I could, it had just never occurred to me.  My TV is for watching obscure late night movies on Direct TV or savoring my NFL Sunday Ticket on the weekends.  It had never occurred to me to use it as my own private concert venue.  Since I’m already paying for the satellite TV service anyway, the concerts are free; on top of that they require no travel, I can eat my own food, drink my own beer, and adjust the volume exactly as I please.

I started to regularly skim the channels in search of a good live performance being aired.  There are way more than I ever realized; I guess my eyes had always skipped right over the titles without paying much attention – makes me wonder what else I am missing through inattention.  I am lucky because my big HD TV is in a well-insulated part of the house, so I can blast the music as loud as I want when a good song comes on; and I can just as easily turn it down when my ear drums start to quiver.

Some special equipment is definitely recommended if you want to start watching televised concerts.  First and foremost it’s all about the music, so a solid sound system is an absolute must, and some surround-sound speakers really add to the effect.  Next, this is a concert, not the radio, so the visuals are important as well.  High definition captures the flashy lights and costumes of the performers, and makes you feel like you are really there watching the artist.  It should go without saying that selecting one of the great Direct TV packages is a must, since you need access to the channels that broadcast concerts.  Beyond that, I always enjoy having some extra treats to make it feel like a real event – as simple as popcorn or as involved as baking some cookies – and I always have a good beer in hand.  Finally, I have to admit, one of my favorite new things about watching concerts from home is that there is no one around to see how ridiculous I look when I dance!

If you’re tired of spending outrageous amounts on tickets, or perhaps if you are short and eternally stuck behind some tall person, try catching a concert from the comfort of your living room in beautiful Direct TV HD; you just might be converted!