DIRECTV Activates HD Local Channel Service In the St. Louis DMA; Local Channels in HD Have More Vivid Colors, Wider Images and Clearer, Crisper High-Resolution Digital-Quality Pictures.

DIRECTV, Inc.:

WHAT:     DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital television
          service provider, announced today that it has begun offering
          local HD channels via satellite to customers in the St.
          Louis DMA. The following local TV channels will be
          available: KDNL/ABC, KMOV/CBS, KTVI/FOX, and KSDK/NBC.

          DIRECTV's roll out of local HD channels in St. Louis is part
          of a nationwide expansion of HD programming that will
          culminate in 2007, when DIRECTV will have the ability to
          deliver more than 1,500 local HD channels and more than 150
          national HD channels, establishing DIRECTV as a leading
          provider of HD programming. DIRECTV customers today have
          access to more than 900 hours of HD programming each week,
          as well as hundreds of hours of special event, movie and
          sports coverage.

          DIRECTV offers local HD broadcast channels in 24 cities with
          plans to launch in an additional 26 cities later this year,
          offering access to DIRECTV-delivered local HD channels in
          more than 65 percent of U.S. television households.

WHEN:     Beginning today, Wednesday, May 17, 2006

HOW:      Customers who subscribe to a programming package that
          includes local channels receive both the standard and HD
          signals at no extra monthly charge. St. Louis customers can
          receive local HD channels by purchasing a new H20 HD
          receiver and satellite dish. Existing HD customers can
          upgrade their HD receiver and dish for $99 per receiver.
          New residential customers can take advantage of a $100
          Advanced Product Rebate through July 1, 2006. Receiving
          equipment is available at major consumer electronics
          retailers like Best Buy or Circuit City, and through
          DIRECTV.

          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.