DIRECTV Activates HD Local Channel Service in Hartford, Connecticut; 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, is now offering local HD programming via
        satellite to customers in the Hartford DMA. The following
        local TV channels are available: WFSB/CBS and WVIT/NBC.
        DIRECTV is in discussions with the owners of the ABC and FOX
        affiliates and hopes to add these stations to the DIRECTV
        lineup in the near future.

        DIRECTV's roll out of local HD channels in Hartford 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.

        With the addition of Hartford, DIRECTV offers local HD
        broadcast channels in 36 cities with plans to launch in an
        additional 13 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, June 28, 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. Hartford 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. 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.