DIRECTV Announces Record First Quarter Growth.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 6, 1999--DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation, today announced it acquired a record 120,000 net new subscribers in March, resulting in a record first quarter addition of 304,000 net new subscribers. DIRECTV's performance represents a 34 percent increase in net subscriber acquisition over the first quarter of 1998, which had previously been its record first quarter.

During this period, DIRECTV's cumulative subscriber base grew from 4.46 million to 4.77 million, equivalent to one of every 21 television households in the United States, and average subscriber revenue per month increased to $47. -0-

Month        1998        1999      Percent Increase

January     81,000      91,000           12%
February    71,000      93,000           31%
March       75,000     120,000           60%
 Total:    227,000     304,000           34%

DIRECTV President Eddy W. Hartenstein attributed the record first quarter showing to strong consumer demand for superior television entertainment. "In the first quarter, DIRECTV subscribers were provided with entertainment choices they couldn't get anywhere else. From our recent NCAA tournament package to the resounding success of `The Lost World,' our first original programming movie, it's clear that consumers are selecting DIRECTV for our exclusive and differentiated programming, for the quality of our picture and sound, and our first-class customer service."

First quarter 1999 highlights included: -0-

--   The announcement by Hughes to acquire the PRIMESTAR medium-power
     DBS business and related high-power Tempo satellite assets;

--   Two national consumer retail offers that included free
     programming and free professional installation of a DIRECTV
     System;

--   A multiyear agreement with Columbia TriStar Advertiser Sales
     (CTAS) in which CTAS serves as the exclusive representative for
     national spot sales on cable networks and advertiser-supported
     channels on DIRECTV;

--   An exclusive collegiate basketball package that offered
     subscribers up to 34 out-of-market broadcasts from the first
     three rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament;

--   DIRECTV's launch of original programming with the exclusive movie
     premiere of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Lost World," executive
     produced by John Landis; and

--   The announcement of new initiatives to bring interactive services
     to consumers, including enhanced broadcasting powered by Wink
     Communications and time-shifted television delivered by Philips
     Electronics and TiVo.

DIRECTV is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corporation. The earnings of Hughes are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to GMH (NYSE symbol) common stock. Visit DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at www.directv.com.