–(BUSINESS WIRE)– DIRECTV, Inc.: 

WHAT:

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation’s No. 1 satellite television service, is offering local HD programming to customers in the Missoula, Mont., designated market area. The following broadcast networks will be  available in HD: KTMF/ABC, KPAX/CBS, FOX/MNT, KECI/NBC, KUFM/PBS, and CW in standard-definition. DIRECTV now offers local HD broadcast channels in 136 markets, representing more than 92 percent of U.S. TV households.

HOW:

To receive DIRECTV’s local HD programming, customers must have an H20, H21 or H23 HD receiver, or an HR20, HR21 or HR23 DIRECTV Plus® HD DVR and a Ka/Ku band dish. For information on how to get DIRECTV HD consumers can visit directv.com. 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.

MEDIA CONTACT ONLY:

rgmercer@directv.com

CUSTOMER SERVICE:

1-800-DIRECTV

Press Release Contact Details:

MEDIA CONTACT ONLY: DIRECTV, Inc. Robert Mercer, 310-964-4683 rgmercer@directv.com

DIRECTV IPAdvantage™ Offers Unique, Cost-effective Multi-Family Housing Triple-Play Distribution System

PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)– DIRECTV will market its innovative satellite-based IP technology platform for the MDU market under a new name – DIRECTV IPAdvantage™ — to highlight the value this unique, single-dish distribution technology offers to property owners who want a cost-effective way to provide their residents with the best entertainment experience. The new brand was unveiled today at the NMHC Apartment and Technology Conference & Exposition in Phoenix. More information is available at DIRECTV’s booth #308.

DIRECTV IPAdvantage™, formerly known as MFH3 (Multi-Family Housing version 3), enables the delivery of all DIRECTV® programming and services using existing in-building wiring – CAT3 or CAT5 – by converting DIRECTV signals into IP video packets to IP-enabled DIRECTV receivers. The system, not to be confused with IPTV, uses the technology as a simple distribution platform to deliver, over a single home-run wire, satellite TV and other services from a private “on-property” head-end to each customer dwelling.

A single dish antenna can serve more than 1,000 receivers in each building, providing a more cost-effective installation for large properties and enabling “injection” of local content, such as on-site amenity and security video feeds into the system.

In addition to supporting both DIRECTV standard and HD DVR receivers, the IP distribution platform will also support voice, internet and interactive services over a single connection, enabling the delivery of IP based triple-play bundles including Fiber to the Home.

“We believe the new brand, DIRECTV IPAdvantage™, enables MDU property owners to immediately grasp the unique and innovative nature of this technology and its ability to transform an apartment or condo complex into a high-tech hub for satellite TV entertainment, internet and VoIP services,” said Mike Olson, vice president, MDU Sales for DIRECTV. “This technology is really a game-changer for property owners who want to remove dishes from balconies and compete for new business in a tight economy by offering residents the full breadth of DIRECTV services, including HD, DVR and international services, as well as a triple play bundle with voice and very high speed broadband internet services.”

Among the other advantages of the IPAdvantage™ platform, the entire system can be monitored remotely over a secure VPN connection and property owners have the ability to view the current state of the system from anywhere via the Internet.

The IPAdvantage™, platform has been installed in numerous properties including Mill Creek in Bluffton, S.C., Bridgemore Village in Nashville, Tenn and City Center in Las Vegas, NV.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV), the nation’s No. 1 satellite television service, presents the finest television experience available to more than 18.4 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with more than 130 HD channels – 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 all national cable companies for nine 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.

Press Release Contact Details:

DIRECTV, Inc. Robert Mercer (310) 964-4683

Registration Fee: It's FREE to attend! 

SBCA's SkyFORUM is the industry's new online event that delivers the benefits of a traditional trade show but without the travel headaches.  SkyFORUM gives you the experience of product presentations, keynote speakers, networking, and prizes found at trade shows but without the time away from your business and customers.

• Explore the virtual exhibit hall where you can view product demos, collect brochures, and meet with industry suppliers.
• Learn about new business opportunities and services
• Participate in webcasts presented by keynote speakers and industry experts to learn about new products, revenue streams, business channels, techniques and skills.
• Chat, ask questions, collect business cards and network with your peers from around the country.
• Encourage your staff to attend so your entire team learns about products first hand.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association of America (SBCA) is the national trade organization representing all segments of the satellite industry. Its mission is to promote the interests of the consumer based satellite industry by:

• Improving the customer experience through professional development and training opportunities to industry installation professionals.
• Protecting the rights of consumers to receive satellite delivered video audio and data services through education, training and public outreach.
• Developing benefits to members that increase their efficiency and profitability and adding value to their membership with SBCA.

All segments of the industry are represented, including video and data satellite providers, distributors, manufacturers, retailers, installers and individual satellite professionals. Learn more at http://www.sbca.org/.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association (SBCA) has announced the launch of an on-line version of their MDU/SMATV certification course. The course was prepared by SBCA’s on-line curriculum development partner SatProf, Inc. To take a short guided tour and to register for immediate access, visit http://sbca.coursehost.com.

The course provides the detailed knowledge required for installation and maintenance of MDU and SMATV systems. The curriculum was designed by a team of industry partners including DIRECTV, DISH Network, PACE International, PDI-SAT, DOW Electronics, Mastec Advanced Technologies, and SatProf. “By utilizing the expertise of our member companies we have been able to develop a comprehensive program to educate technicians on the technical requirements of these advanced installations,” stated Steve Hill, SBCA’s Deputy Executive Director. “The on-line format provides students a self paced learning option, with thorough coverage of MDU and SMATV skills and extensive interactive exercises. Our distributor partners will continue to offer the extensive hands on MDU/SMATV course at their facilities.”

To register go to: http://sbca.coursehost.com. For information on SBCA National Standards and Testing Program (www.sbcatest.com) courses and SBCA partnership opportunities, contact Steve Hill at 202-349-3620, or shill@sbca.org.

The Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association is the national trade organization representing all segments of the consumer satellite industry. It is committed to creating value added programs to improve the long term growth and sustainability of our member companies while continuing the industry’s leadership in protecting the rights of consumers and technician to access the best in satellite delivered services. Additional information can be found at www.sbca.com.

Samsung Electronics, the leader in digital television products worldwide, has signed PDI-SAT, a DIRECTV™ Master System Operator and equipment distributor as a key Satellite Technology Partner for the U.S. Commercial, MDU, and Hospitality markets.

PDI-SAT has been a distribution partner of DIRECTV for special markets for over ten years and has been a key partner in the development and roll out of DIRECTV’s new COM1000 HDTV SMATV delivery system for hospitality and commercial services. This new relationship with Samsung gives PDI-SAT and its dealers a complete end-to-end solution by providing equipment, content, installation, and services for their customers throughout the commercial marketplace.

“We are very excited to have Samsung as a partner. By creating strategic relationships with the market leader Samsung, PDI-SAT can provide the best solutions for our dealers and customers. With superior picture quality, design and performance, Samsung delivers the best commercial television solution today and we are proud to be part of that winning combination moving forward” said Jason Cohen, VP of Sales for PDI-SAT.

PDI-SAT will be offering the entire line of hospitality & commercial televisions which includes the popular Touch of Color™ line which won several awards for technology, innovation and design in 2008, as well as the ultra-slim LED televisions with breakthrough picture quality as unveiled at CES 2009. With unique hotel & commercial features such as Hotel Logo On-Screen Display, PMOLED Clock and USB Cloning, combined with Samsung’s superior picture quality, PDI-SAT has the ideal solutions in 19” through 52” screen sizes.

PDI-SAT will be releasing more details on the program in the near future. For more information regarding Samsung commercial television product and pricing information, call Dave Ward at 888-247-8230 or email your request to dward@pdisat.com. To become a PDI-SAT System Operator, call or  email your request today! For more information regarding hospitality televisions, please visit Samsung online at http://www.samsung.com/global/experience/hospitality.

Hotel Base Incentive:
The Hotel Premier Package is designed to help dealers in closing HD deals with hotels. This buy-down program enables hotels to offset the cost of the equipment needed for HD programming.

Hotel Public and Business Viewing Incentive:
In addition to the base rebate, an incentive will be available to the Public and Business Viewing space located on the hotel property. New to DIRECTV Public and Business viewing accounts receive NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, MLB EXTRA INNINGS^® and NCAA^® MEGA MARCH MADNESS^® free for the first year, which will auto-renew unless otherwise requested or instructed.

Hotel Eligibility:
New and existing hotels with 100+ rooms with no previous DIRECTV HD programming services.

Hotel Program Dates:
8/1/09 – 12/31/09

Please contact me for more info!

Dave Ward

Regional Sales Manager

PDI-SAT, a division of PDI Communications, Inc.

(888) 247-8230 Toll Free Direct

(661) 952-9238 Direct Line

(818) 371-6251 Cell

(877) 597-6395 Direct Fax

dward@pdisat.com

www.pdisat.com

According to ACSI, DIRECTV also outperformed all of the cable companies surveyed with an overall index score of 71, up three points from last year. The DBS providers scored five points higher than Cox, 12 points higher than Comcast and Time Warner Cable and 20 points higher than Charter.

Come check out the new DIRECTV/Thomson COM1000 HD SMATV Headend Sytem, MFH2 and the new MFH3 IPTV distrubution system!

Contact me if you have any questions or would like to meet at the expo.