DIRECTV Announces New Initiatives at International Consumer Electronics Show.

Business Editors

2003 International CES

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2003

New HDTV DVR, New Philips and Samsung DVRs, HD Pay Per View Channel

and National Retail Offer Among Announcements

DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation, in addition to announcing the launch of 50 new local channels markets this year, today announced the following new initiatives at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas:

New DIRECTV(R) HDTV Digital Video Recorder 

DIRECTV, Inc. and TiVo (Nasdaq:TIVO) will introduce a new DIRECTV(R) HDTV Digital Video Recorder that will enable consumers to record and play back DIRECTV high-definition, as well as standard-definition DIRECTV(R) programming and terrestrial ATSC broadcasts. The DIRECTV(R) HDTV DVR, to be demonstrated this week at CES (DIRECTV Booth 13525, TiVo Booth N208), is expected to be available to consumers by year-end. The DIRECTV(R) DVR with TiVo(R) service will apply all the familiar TiVo functions to DIRECTV and ATSC high-definition programming -- including the ability to record, pause, instant replay and rewind live television. The new DIRECTV(R) HDTV DVR will feature a larger recording capacity than existing DIRECTV(R) DVRs, and will feature component and digital video outputs for enhanced audio and video. Manufacturers and pricing will be announced at a later date.

New DIRECTV(R) DVR Receivers from Philips and Samsung

Philips and DIRECTV are introducing the Philips DSR7000 DIRECTV(R) Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a second-generation Philips digital satellite recorder. The Philips DSR7000 DIRECTV DVR will go on sale at major retailers this spring and will combine reception of DIRECTV(R) programming, which delivers more than 225 digital-quality channels, with the ability to record and play back programming using DIRECTV(R) DVR with TiVo(R) service. Samsung and DIRECTV have introduced the first lineup of Samsung(R)-DIRECTV(R) DVR, in the United States. The Samsung(R) SDR-S350-DIRECTV(R) DVR will go on sale at major retailers in Q2 of 2003 and will also combine reception of DIRECTV(R) programming with the ability to record and play back programming using DIRECTV(R) DVR with TiVo(R) service.

High-Definition PPV Channel

DIRECTV today launched its fourth high-definition television (HDTV) channel. The new channel is dedicated exclusively to pay per view movies from New Line Cinema, DreamWorks and MGM. Launched today on DIRECTV(R) channel 198, the new HDTV channel will offer movies for purchase on a pay per view basis for $4.99 each. The new HDTV pay per view channel joins three other dedicated HDTV channels available from DIRECTV: HBO(R) HDTV, SHOWTIME HDTV(R) and HDNet. HDNet is available exclusively to DIRECTV customers. Under terms of its new five-year agreement with the National Football League for exclusive rights to NFL SUNDAY TICKET(TM), DIRECTV also plans to begin offering high-definition telecasts of professional football games during the 2003 regular NFL season. Additional enhancements to the DIRECTV HDTV programming lineup are expected throughout the year.

First Quarter Offer

New residential customers who purchase any DIRECTV(R) System between Jan. 12, 2003, and March 15, 2003, and subscribe to HBO(R) and Cinemax(R) with a one-year commitment to any TOTAL CHOICE(R) or OPCION EXTRA ESPECIAL(R) programming package ($31.99/mo. or above) within 30 days of purchase, will receive three months of HBO(R) and Cinemax(R), compliments of DIRECTV.

New customers can purchase a basic two-room DIRECTV System with installation for $50 or less at such national retailers as Circuit City, Blockbuster, and Best Buy, as well as through other authorized DIRECTV dealers.

Editor's Note: The complete text for each of these announcements is available on the DIRECTV Web site at DIRECTV.com.

DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital satellite television service provider with more than 11 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo, TOTAL CHOICE, DIRECTV PARA TODOS and OPCION EXTRA ESPECIAL are trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. HUGHES is the world's leading provider of digital television entertainment, broadband services, satellite-based private business networks, and global video and data broadcasting. The earnings of HUGHES, a unit of General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE:GMH). Visit DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at DIRECTV.com.