ADVISORY/DIRECTV Offers Local Broadcast Channels In Grand Rapids, Mich.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...for Wednesday (July 31)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

WHAT:         DIRECTV, Inc. announced today that it will begin
              offering local broadcast channels via satellite in Grand
              Rapids, Mich. The local broadcast channel package is
              available to consumers in combination with any TOTAL
              CHOICE(R) programming package. The TOTAL CHOICE(R) PLUS
              with Local Channels package is available for $39.99 and
              offers more than 130 channels.

WHEN:         Beginning tomorrow, July 31, the following local
              channels will be available to customers in the Grand
              Rapids, Mich., designated market area (DMA):

              Grand Rapids, Mich., DMA New Local Channel Package

              --  WOOD (NBC)/Channel 8       -- WOTV (ABC)/Channel 41
              --  WZZM (ABC)/Channel 13      -- WZPX (PAX)/Channel 43
              --  WXMI (FOX)/Channel 17      -- WWMT (CBS)/Channel 3

              DIRECTV is in active discussion with WGVU (PBS)/Channel
              35 and will begin broadcasting the station as soon as an
              agreement is reached.

              Grand Rapids will receive its local channels from a
              DIRECTV satellite at the 119-degree West Longitude
              orbital slot, requiring the use of a multi-satellite
              capable DIRECTV System, which includes a single
              18-by-24-inch dish and receiver. Customers can purchase
              DIRECTV Multi-Satellite Systems at national retail
              locations such as Radio Shack, Circuit City and
              Blockbuster.

In select markets, DIRECTV offers local channels via the DIRECTV System or the DIRECTV Multi-Satellite System. 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.