DirecTV CFO: HD Plans Moving Along
(Multichannel News) _ DirecTV Group chief financial officer Michael Palkovic said the direct-broadcast satellite giant is moving ahead in its plans to launch 100 HDTV channels by the end of the year but he conceded that some of those channels will be multiple feeds from sports packages like NFL Sunday Ticket
Palkovic said DirecTV already has about 70 HD channels under contract and that number is growing. But when asked whether Sunday Ticket would count as 13 separate HD channels -- the package airs 13 out-of-market games each week -- he said it would.
"That's the way you would count that," Palkovic said, adding that 70 or 80 of the HD channels would be considered year-round channels.
Palkovic added that DirecTV's HD offerings will be far and above those from cable operators and other DBS companies. He noted that there are currently about 10 national HD channels, and its DBS competitor, EchoStar Communications, offers those packages, as well as about 10 Voom channels, the HD offering from Rainbow Media Holdings. Further differentiating DirecTV's HD package is that the channels will be compelling.
"First of all, there are no Voom channels, there is nothing like that that people would consider not really quality channels," Palkovic said. "We're talking USA [Network], Sci Fi [Channel], some of the Turner [Broadcasting System] networks, The Weather Channel, mainstream programming that's been around for a long time that's going to make the leap to HD."
In other DirecTV HD news, the DBS provider Wednesday began offering local HDTV programming from ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC to customers in Greenville, S.C.;Harrisburg,Pa.;Jacksonville,Fla.; andSpokane,Wash.
DirecTV now offers local HDTV broadcast channels in 53 cities, representing more than 67% of U.S. TV households.
When DirecTV's capacity expansion is completed next year, it will offer more than 1,500 local HDTV channels and more than 150 national HDTV channels.
DirecTV HD Fans
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Nutty Scrats
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sportsbettingman
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DirecTV HD Fans
That was the promise I got when I signed up for DirecTV 2 years ago. "We're planning to have tons of HD channels in the next 2 years."
It's about time!
~Lance
It's about time!
~Lance
"The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once."
~Albert Einstein
~Albert Einstein
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Nutty Scrats
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If his is true this could be pretty cool. Probably mean new equipment for alot of us.
DirecTV Plans 2,000 VOD Titles
'As Much as Possible' Will Be HD; Users Can Order Programs Online
DirecTV's upcoming launch of the first satellite-provider video-on-demand service will include 2,000 movie and television titles, with "as much as possible" in HD.
The service will launch in July for DirecTV customers with current-generation HD DVRs. Networks that currently offer VOD content&mdashsuch as Discovery and Showtime—will have their own VOD "channel" environment. The most popular content will be housed on DirecTV satellites, while the bulk of the library content will be delivered via the HD DVR's broadband connection.
"We have a commitment for 2,000 titles at launch, and that will continue to grow," said Eric Shanks, DirecTV's executive VP for entertainment. "We're pushing for as much as possible [in HD].
It will be a pretty small subset at the start, because there's not a whole lot of HD on demand."
The launch date for customers without HD DVRs has yet to be determined.
In addition to traditional television series and movies, DirecTV plans to encourage programmers to upload topical, short-form video. Such material could launch on the broadband server, then automatically switch to satellite once the VOD interest hits a certain level.
"If all of a sudden a news story about Don Imus is a very high-trafficked clip, the system will push that over to the satellite since everybody wants to see it," Mr. Shanks said.
Though cable operators have dismissed DirecTV's plan to launch a satellite-based VOD service as faux-VOD, Mr. Shanks said the operation will be very similar to the cable experience. Programs stored on the satellite will be available instantly, while users accessing library content via broadband can immediately begin watching the program "live" as it streams.
The only difference compared to cable VOD is that users will have to wait until the library content completely downloads before they can, for instance, skip forward to the end of a program. The rate of download will vary, determined by the user's broadband connection.
To help make the experience more seamless, DirecTV is planning to launch a new TiVo-like feature that will allow HD DVR users to order VOD programs (or schedule any DirecTV content for recording) online or by mobile phone.
"You will be able to browse titles on directv.com [and] have it waiting for you ready to go on your DVR when you get home," Mr. Shanks said.
The launch will coincide with a relaunch of DirecTV's music and photos service, through which users can stream photos and music from their home computers to their DirecTV set-top boxes.
The VOD service is part of DirecTV's effort to take the lead in the HD race, primarily by launching 100 HD channels by the end of the year. DirecTV's cable competitors have responded by ramping up their own declarations of HD boosting, but fellow satellite provider EchoStar has remained silent about any HD plans and generally declines media interviews on the subject.
"Unless [EchoStar has] a satellite hidden up their sleeve, I'm not aware of any launches," Mr. Shanks said. "You can track the rollout of local HD from Dish and get a sense of what speed they're moving, which is slower than us."
DirecTV Plans 2,000 VOD Titles
'As Much as Possible' Will Be HD; Users Can Order Programs Online
DirecTV's upcoming launch of the first satellite-provider video-on-demand service will include 2,000 movie and television titles, with "as much as possible" in HD.
The service will launch in July for DirecTV customers with current-generation HD DVRs. Networks that currently offer VOD content&mdashsuch as Discovery and Showtime—will have their own VOD "channel" environment. The most popular content will be housed on DirecTV satellites, while the bulk of the library content will be delivered via the HD DVR's broadband connection.
"We have a commitment for 2,000 titles at launch, and that will continue to grow," said Eric Shanks, DirecTV's executive VP for entertainment. "We're pushing for as much as possible [in HD].
It will be a pretty small subset at the start, because there's not a whole lot of HD on demand."
The launch date for customers without HD DVRs has yet to be determined.
In addition to traditional television series and movies, DirecTV plans to encourage programmers to upload topical, short-form video. Such material could launch on the broadband server, then automatically switch to satellite once the VOD interest hits a certain level.
"If all of a sudden a news story about Don Imus is a very high-trafficked clip, the system will push that over to the satellite since everybody wants to see it," Mr. Shanks said.
Though cable operators have dismissed DirecTV's plan to launch a satellite-based VOD service as faux-VOD, Mr. Shanks said the operation will be very similar to the cable experience. Programs stored on the satellite will be available instantly, while users accessing library content via broadband can immediately begin watching the program "live" as it streams.
The only difference compared to cable VOD is that users will have to wait until the library content completely downloads before they can, for instance, skip forward to the end of a program. The rate of download will vary, determined by the user's broadband connection.
To help make the experience more seamless, DirecTV is planning to launch a new TiVo-like feature that will allow HD DVR users to order VOD programs (or schedule any DirecTV content for recording) online or by mobile phone.
"You will be able to browse titles on directv.com [and] have it waiting for you ready to go on your DVR when you get home," Mr. Shanks said.
The launch will coincide with a relaunch of DirecTV's music and photos service, through which users can stream photos and music from their home computers to their DirecTV set-top boxes.
The VOD service is part of DirecTV's effort to take the lead in the HD race, primarily by launching 100 HD channels by the end of the year. DirecTV's cable competitors have responded by ramping up their own declarations of HD boosting, but fellow satellite provider EchoStar has remained silent about any HD plans and generally declines media interviews on the subject.
"Unless [EchoStar has] a satellite hidden up their sleeve, I'm not aware of any launches," Mr. Shanks said. "You can track the rollout of local HD from Dish and get a sense of what speed they're moving, which is slower than us."
Ed
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Nutty Scrats
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DirecTV HD Fans
New press release concerning their HD programming!
DIRECTV Adds New HD Channels for Fall; Four Discovery HD Channels, Five Starz HD Channels, CNBC and Chiller to Join the HD Pack, More on the Way
HD Version of Disney's High School Musical 2 to Air Exclusively on DIRECTV
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2007--DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to set the stage for its unprecedented expansion of HD services. With agreements in place to launch four Discovery HD channels, five HD channels from Starz, CNBC and Chiller in HD, along with recently completed deals with The History Channel and A&E, DIRECTV is on schedule to roll out up to 100 national HD channels by year-end to satisfy the appetite of its HD customers, who have doubled over the last year.
"Earlier this year we called 2007 the 'Year of HD' and we're going to deliver on our commitment to offer more HD channels than any other multichannel provider," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "In addition to the networks we've signed to date, we will continue to add more HD programming to our launch list between now and year-end. Demand for HD continues to grow, and with the dramatic expansion of our capacity this summer and the nationwide reach of our service, we are uniquely positioned to lead the industry in the carriage and delivery of HD programming."
Under the agreement with Discovery Communications, DIRECTV will launch four simulcasts - Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel - and two other channels to be named and launched by Discovery at a later date. The HD feeds of the four existing networks will launch in September.
DIRECTV also has an agreement in place with Starz to launch three new HD movie channels: Starz Edge, Starz Comedy and Starz Kids & Family, as well as Starz's East and West coast HD feeds. The new Starz HD channels, featuring first-run hit movies, and the Starz East and West HD channels, will also launch in September.
The History Channel and DIRECTV recently announced that DIRECTV will be the first to launch The History Channel HD, a new 24-hour HD network, and A&E HD in September.
As it continues to beef up its HD channel lineup, DIRECTV has also become the platform of choice for the debut of exclusive HD programming. Disney Channel is providing DIRECTV the exclusive rights to broadcast the premiere HD version of High School Musical 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the global sensation for kids and families. DIRECTV will air the movie in HD a few days after its standard-definition premiere Friday, August 17 on Disney Channel.
In addition to the networks listed below, DIRECTV also plans to offer the HD feeds of regional sports networks on a nationwide basis this fall, and has commitments from a number of other networks to launch their HD simulcasts. They will be added to the lineup for launch by year-end and will be announced at a later date.
To date, DIRECTV has signed agreements or agreements in principle, to launch the following networks.
-- A&E -- National Geographic
-- Bravo -- NFL Network
-- Cartoon Network -- SciFi Channel
-- CNN -- Speed
-- Food Network -- TBS
-- Big Ten Network -- The History Channel
-- HGTV -- The Weather Channel
-- MTV -- USA Network
-- Disney Channel -- Versus HD
-- Toon Disney -- TLC
-- ABC Family -- Animal Planet
-- ESPNNEWS HD -- The Science Channel
-- Starz E/W feeds -- Discovery Channel
-- Starz Edge -- The Tennis Channel
-- Starz Comedy -- Showtime West
-- Starz Kids & Family -- The Movie Channel
-- CNBC -- Chiller
HD networks currently offered by DIRECTV include ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies, TNT in HD, Universal HD, HBO HD, Showtime HD, an HD pay per view/special events channel and HD feeds from NY- and LA-based broadcast networks ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX (for eligible customers). DIRECTV also offers local HD broadcast channels in 60 cities, representing more than 70 percent of U.S. TV households.
DIRECTV's industry leading lineup of HD sports programming includes up to 10 MLB games a week in HD, and DIRECTV plans to offer all MLB games produced in HD beginning with the 2008 season. DIRECTV also offers NBA and NHL games in HD, and through its exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) Superfan subscription, DIRECTV customers have access to more than 150 NFL games in HD. In total DIRECTV offered more than 200 HD games last season, nearly twice as many as cable.
DIRECTV announced earlier this year that it will have the capacity to launch up to 100 national HD channels by the end of 2007, and offer local HD channels in up to 75 markets, following the launch of its D10 satellite this summer. The satellite will be operational and new HD services will begin rolling out in Q3.
The DIRECTV 11 satellite will be launched early next year to support further HD expansion. With the two satellites, DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500 local HD and digital channels and 150 national HD channels, in addition to new advanced programming services for customers.
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16 million customers in the United States, through exclusive content, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for six years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) and MLB EXTRA INNINGS(R). DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan(TM), US Open Interactive and YES Network Interactive and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.
CONTACT: DIRECTV, Inc.
Robert Mercer, 310-964-4683
or
Darris Gringeri, 212-462-5136
SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc.
DIRECTV Adds New HD Channels for Fall; Four Discovery HD Channels, Five Starz HD Channels, CNBC and Chiller to Join the HD Pack, More on the Way
HD Version of Disney's High School Musical 2 to Air Exclusively on DIRECTV
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 23, 2007--DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television service provider, continues to set the stage for its unprecedented expansion of HD services. With agreements in place to launch four Discovery HD channels, five HD channels from Starz, CNBC and Chiller in HD, along with recently completed deals with The History Channel and A&E, DIRECTV is on schedule to roll out up to 100 national HD channels by year-end to satisfy the appetite of its HD customers, who have doubled over the last year.
"Earlier this year we called 2007 the 'Year of HD' and we're going to deliver on our commitment to offer more HD channels than any other multichannel provider," said Derek Chang, executive vice president, Strategy and Development, DIRECTV, Inc. "In addition to the networks we've signed to date, we will continue to add more HD programming to our launch list between now and year-end. Demand for HD continues to grow, and with the dramatic expansion of our capacity this summer and the nationwide reach of our service, we are uniquely positioned to lead the industry in the carriage and delivery of HD programming."
Under the agreement with Discovery Communications, DIRECTV will launch four simulcasts - Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet and The Science Channel - and two other channels to be named and launched by Discovery at a later date. The HD feeds of the four existing networks will launch in September.
DIRECTV also has an agreement in place with Starz to launch three new HD movie channels: Starz Edge, Starz Comedy and Starz Kids & Family, as well as Starz's East and West coast HD feeds. The new Starz HD channels, featuring first-run hit movies, and the Starz East and West HD channels, will also launch in September.
The History Channel and DIRECTV recently announced that DIRECTV will be the first to launch The History Channel HD, a new 24-hour HD network, and A&E HD in September.
As it continues to beef up its HD channel lineup, DIRECTV has also become the platform of choice for the debut of exclusive HD programming. Disney Channel is providing DIRECTV the exclusive rights to broadcast the premiere HD version of High School Musical 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the global sensation for kids and families. DIRECTV will air the movie in HD a few days after its standard-definition premiere Friday, August 17 on Disney Channel.
In addition to the networks listed below, DIRECTV also plans to offer the HD feeds of regional sports networks on a nationwide basis this fall, and has commitments from a number of other networks to launch their HD simulcasts. They will be added to the lineup for launch by year-end and will be announced at a later date.
To date, DIRECTV has signed agreements or agreements in principle, to launch the following networks.
-- A&E -- National Geographic
-- Bravo -- NFL Network
-- Cartoon Network -- SciFi Channel
-- CNN -- Speed
-- Food Network -- TBS
-- Big Ten Network -- The History Channel
-- HGTV -- The Weather Channel
-- MTV -- USA Network
-- Disney Channel -- Versus HD
-- Toon Disney -- TLC
-- ABC Family -- Animal Planet
-- ESPNNEWS HD -- The Science Channel
-- Starz E/W feeds -- Discovery Channel
-- Starz Edge -- The Tennis Channel
-- Starz Comedy -- Showtime West
-- Starz Kids & Family -- The Movie Channel
-- CNBC -- Chiller
HD networks currently offered by DIRECTV include ESPN HD, ESPN2 HD, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet, HDNet Movies, TNT in HD, Universal HD, HBO HD, Showtime HD, an HD pay per view/special events channel and HD feeds from NY- and LA-based broadcast networks ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX (for eligible customers). DIRECTV also offers local HD broadcast channels in 60 cities, representing more than 70 percent of U.S. TV households.
DIRECTV's industry leading lineup of HD sports programming includes up to 10 MLB games a week in HD, and DIRECTV plans to offer all MLB games produced in HD beginning with the 2008 season. DIRECTV also offers NBA and NHL games in HD, and through its exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) Superfan subscription, DIRECTV customers have access to more than 150 NFL games in HD. In total DIRECTV offered more than 200 HD games last season, nearly twice as many as cable.
DIRECTV announced earlier this year that it will have the capacity to launch up to 100 national HD channels by the end of 2007, and offer local HD channels in up to 75 markets, following the launch of its D10 satellite this summer. The satellite will be operational and new HD services will begin rolling out in Q3.
The DIRECTV 11 satellite will be launched early next year to support further HD expansion. With the two satellites, DIRECTV will have the ability to deliver more than 1,500 local HD and digital channels and 150 national HD channels, in addition to new advanced programming services for customers.
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 16 million customers in the United States, through exclusive content, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed cable for six years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere, including NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM) and MLB EXTRA INNINGS(R). DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan(TM), US Open Interactive and YES Network Interactive and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.
CONTACT: DIRECTV, Inc.
Robert Mercer, 310-964-4683
or
Darris Gringeri, 212-462-5136
SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc.
Ed