Updated: DIRECTV Adds Albany HD Locals

[xzi]

It's FINALLY officially in print! Finally...

phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1084510

DIRECTV to Deliver Local HD Programming In 76 Markets by Mid-2008
Eleven Additional Local HD Markets Named; More than 75 Percent of U.S. Television Homes Will have Access to Local HD Channels from DIRECTV

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2007--Continuing its momentum for delivering the best quality HD programming available, DIRECTV (NASDAQ:DTV) will offer local HD broadcast networks in 76 markets, representing more than 75 percent of U.S. TV households, when it rolls out 11 additional local HD markets by mid-2008. DIRECTV began the rollout with the launch of HD local channels in the Flint, Mich. and Waco, Texas designated market areas last week.

DIRECTV will deliver HD programming from each of the primary broadcast networks - ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC - where available, to customers who subscribe to any TOTAL CHOICE(R) programming package that offers local channels. DIRECTV HD customers will continue to pay only a $9.99 access fee, allowing them to receive DIRECTV's premier HD technology and all channels broadcast in HD that are tied to their particular base programming package.

The 11 local markets to receive HD programming from DIRECTV include:

-- Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y. -- Paducah, Ky.
-- Cedar Rapids/Waterloo, Iowa -- Tucson, Ariz.
-- Flint/Saginaw/Bay City, Mich. -- Waco/Temple/Bryan, Texas
-- Lincoln/Hastings, Neb. -- Wichita/Hutchinson, Kan.
-- Louisville, Ky. -- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Pa.
-- Omaha, Neb.
"While offering the most quality national HD channels is important, we believe that it is equally important to deliver popular local HD programming that will give our customers the most comprehensive HD experience available," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "Delivering local channels in HD to 76 markets will solidify our position as a leader in HD and enables us to compete even more aggressively with cable providers across the country."

Information regarding the full DIRECTV HD programming lineup, which includes 87 national HD channels, and details on receiving equipment needed for the new DIRECTV HD services, are available by calling 1-800-DIRECTV or visiting directv.com.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to 16.6 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution by offering more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for seven years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.

CONTACT: DIRECTV, Inc.
Jade Ekstedt, [phone]
[e-mail]

SOURCE: DIRECTV

[Skaggs]

This will end Albany TWC's current marketing claim as the only place to get all the HD locals.

I guess Albany TWC doesn't consider OTA as an altenative.

[adam]

Does TWC have any real marketing claim anymore? Satellite is really beating up cable and what is cable's response? NOTHING. What has TW done for us? Nothing. No new HD channels, in fact they say that their "HD lineup is as good as satellite's" which means they don't plan on improving it soon. If I wasn't in a dorm, I would definitely not have TW right now. Although getting digital cable and HD for about 20 dollars a month isn't bad.

[dkennedy]

DIRECTV Delivers Local HD Programming to Customers in Albany/Schenectady/Troy, N.Y. DMA

Local HD Programming from DIRECTV is Now Available in 70 U.S. Cities

January 3, 2008

Centre Daily Times, PA

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, is now offering local HD programming to customers in the Albany/Schenectady/Troy N.Y. designated market area. The following broadcast networks are available in HD:

WRGB/CBS
WTEN/ABC
WNYT/NBC
WXXA/FOX

With the addition of Albany, DIRECTV now offers local HD broadcast channels in 70 cities, representing more than 73.6 percent of U.S. TV households.

DIRECTV's roll out of local HD channels in Albany is part of a nationwide expansion of HD programming that includes 89 national HD channels.

WHEN: Beginning today, Thursday, Jan. 3, 2008.

HOW: To receive DIRECTV's local HD programming, customers must have an H20 or H21 HD receiver or an HR20 or HR21 DIRECTV Plus(R) HD DVR and a Ka/Ku band dish. DIRECTV is offering new customers a $100 mail-in rebate on all DIRECTV HD and HD DVR receivers or an instant $100 rebate for customers who lease the equipment online at DIRECTV.com. Customers can also learn more about DIRECTV's advanced products by calling 1-800-DIRECTV.

[adam]

Well, there goes Time Warner's last remaining advantage over DirecTV.

I'd be shocked if Time Warner's quarterly loss isn't bigger than it's last quarterly loss of subscribers.

[xzi]

Yup, verified... for those with DirecTV that use the "favorites" feature, you'll have to manually go in and add them--they don't appear automatically (I figured they would)--this is why I missed them this morning.

[macUser]

I just called tech because I couldn't see the new channels and he walked me through the process to get the channels to show if they aren't already. I have the DVR so your menu selections may be slightly different.

Check in your channel set up first to see if the channels are already there. If you have a custom channel setup be sure to check there. If they are not available, here are the steps to get them to show.

Hit the "SELECT" button after each step

1) Menu (on the remote)
2) Setting (or Setting & Help)
4) Set up
4) Sat (or Sat & Ant)
5) Repeat Sat Set Up
6) Put in - (dash) The dash button on the remote is just below the 7 button. (There may be a statement here to have a qualified service tech etc. The tech said to just continue).
7) Select 5 LMB dish

For the rest of the steps just select continue (Hit SETUP) There is one step where the it searches and takes about 5 to 7 minutes. It says the percentage of done.

Now go into your channel setup. You will see 2 WRGB's, 2 WTEN's, etc. Click in or 'turn on' by clicking in the empty box and turn off the yellow filled box .

PBS is also added.

[Skaggs]

Can anyone with DirecTV HD service confirm/deny that the HD versions of WCWN (CW) and WMHT (PBS) are available from DirecTV?

[adam]

directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/localChannels.jsp?_requestid=362478

[bruces]

I can receive both WCWN and WMHT using my DirecTV HR20-700 receiver and 5 LNB dish.

Only the primary feed is available for each one. The subchannels are not. This is the same for WRGB, WTEN and WNYT.

Since the local channels were not available when I installed DirecTV. I installed an antenna at that time. This still allows me to receive and record any of the subchannels and usually provides a better picture than the DirecTV feed.

[Skaggs]

adam said:

directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/localChannels.jsp?_requestid=362478

That link doesn't work.

I entered my zip code on the DirecTV website and it provided a chart showing that only four of the six local TV stations' HD signals are available with DirecTV.

WRGB(CBS), WTEN(ABC), WNYT(NBC), and WXXA(FOX) HD signals were are currently available with DirecTV.

WCWN(CW) and WMHT(PBS) were not available via DirecTV.

Shown below is a snapshot of the info on DirecTV's website:

[macUser]

I get DirecTV 45 and 51.

(I tried to post a pic of the channel list but don't know how to do it).

[Skaggs]

macuser said:

I get DirecTV 45 and 51.

The HD versions?

[xzi]

admin said:

macuser said:

I get DirecTV 45 and 51.

The HD versions?

No, they are SD. But they are MPEG-4

[yuppers519]

You get Wrgb-6, wten-10, wnyt-13 and wxxa-23 In HD, you get pbs 17, wcwn45, mntv 51 in sd, but you can hook up a antenna to your box and recieve pbs 3stations 45 51 in hd. but by mid 2008 pbs will be in HD and on demand on directv. also wb my network tv just went hd in NYC so i imagine they to will be here eventually.