[opendtv] New DIRECTV satellite to help deliver '150 HD channels'

This addresses two topics from recent dicussions:

1. The business about HD being a "niche" product, and

2. The number of TV channels deemed "de rigeur" in the US. More is
definitely more over here.

Bert

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http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=2956

New DIRECTV satellite to help deliver '150 HD channels'

A powerful, new DIRECTV satellite has launched successfully from the
Pacific Ocean-based Sea Launch platform. DIRECTV claim the new satellite
will enable the delivery of up to 150 HD channels to households across
America when the satellite goes into service later this year.

With the additional capacity, DIRECTV will also expand its delivery of
local HD channels to more than 100 markets, representing 84 percent of
US TV households.

DIRECTV said that they plan to launch another satellite in 2009, which
they believe will allow them to offer consumers up to 200 national HD
channels.

"Our new DIRECTV 11 satellite will soon join its sister satellite in
orbit to form the most robust HD delivery system in the multichannel
video industry and will be instrumental in maintaining DIRECTV's
position as the undisputed leader in HD for years to come," said Derek
Chang, executive vice president, Content Strategy and Development,
DIRECTV Inc.

"The strength of our HD offer is not only about the quality and quantity
of our national HD channels," he added. "We are continuing to enhance
the DIRECTV HD platform by broadcasting our exclusive, interactive
sports packages like NCAA MEGA MARCH MADNESS, NASCAR HOTPASSand NFL
SUNDAY TICKET all in HD and adding more HD content to our DIRECTV On
Demand VOD platform that will formally launch in the coming weeks."

DIRECTV 11, the tenth owned and operated satellite in the DIRECTV fleet,
will be maneuvered into a circular orbit at 99.2 degrees West longitude
and when tests are completed, it is expected to begin operations in
early September, providing capacity for up to 50 additional national HD
channels.

The DIRECTV 11 satellite's spot beam transponders will also begin
delivery of local HD channels to new markets across the U.S., expanding
the number of markets where DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast networks
to more than 100 by the end of 2008. DIRECTV currently offers 92
national HD channels and provides local HD broadcast channels in 77
cities, representing approximately 76 percent of US TV households.

DTG Staff 26.03.2008
 
 
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