DIRECTV Begins Offering Local Broadcast Network Channels in Birmingham, Ala.; Customers to Receive Local Channels via Satellite Beginning Nov. 1.Business/Entertainment Editors EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2000 DIRECTV, Inc., provider of the nation's leading digital television service, announced today the availability of local broadcast network channels via satellite for its DIRECTV(R) customers in Birmingham, Ala. Beginning Nov. 1, all DIRECTV customers in the Birmingham designated market area (DMA (1) (Digital Media Adapter) See digital media hub. (2) (Document Management Alliance) A specification that provides a common interface for accessing and searching document databases. ) will receive a free preview of their local broadcast network channel package. DIRECTV customers in the Birmingham DMA can subscribe to a local channel package that includes WCFT WCFT West Coast Fielding Team (ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. ), WVTM (NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. ), WBRC WBRC Western Beef Resource Committee (Idaho) (FOX) and WIAT WIAT Wechsler Individual Achievement Test WIAT War Is Also Terrorism (CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. ). DIRECTV customers can subscribe to their local channel package for $5.99 per month. In addition to local broadcast network channels, a national PBS PBS in full Public Broadcasting Service Private, nonprofit U.S. corporation of public television stations. PBS provides its member stations, which are supported by public funds and private contributions rather than by commercials, with educational, cultural, feed is included in each local channel package at no additional charge. To receive local channels from the Birmingham area, existing DIRECTV customers, as well as new customers, will require a new DIRECTV PLUS(TM) System capable of receiving satellite signals from two orbital locations. To date, DIRECTV(R) programming has been delivered to the Birmingham area from one orbital location only. DIRECTV multi-satellite-capable equipment is available at authorized retail locations. The DIRECTV PLUS(TM) System contains a multi-satellite receiver, an 18-by-24-inch oval satellite dish and a remote control. Local channels are being delivered to DIRECTV customers in Birmingham from DIRECTV, Inc.'s 119-degree West Longitude (WL) orbital slot. The DIRECTV PLUS(TM) System allows consumers to receive programming from multiple orbital locations, which provides access to their local channels in addition to all of the core DIRECTV(R) programming from its 101-degree WL orbital slot. "The availability of local channels ushers in a new era for DIRECTV, and we are excited to commence our local channel offerings in Birmingham," said Stephanie A. Campbell, senior vice president, Programming for DIRECTV, Inc. "By offering local channels on DIRECTV, our customers can access entertainment and information that's most relevant to their lives and their community. "Now is as good a time as any for consumers in Birmingham to cut cable and choose DIRECTV as their source for home entertainment." Local Birmingham channels from DIRECTV are available in the following counties: BIBB CULLMAN MARION WALKER BLOUNT ETOWAH PICKENS WINSTON CALHOUN FAYETTE SAINT CLAIR CHEROKEE GREENE SHELBY CHILTON HALE TALLADEGA CLAY JEFFERSON TUSCALOOSA DIRECTV is supporting its local-into-local offerings in Birmingham with marketing, point-of-sale and advertising campaigns in coordination with its extensive network of consumer electronics retailing partners and affiliate satellite dealers. DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital satellite television service with 9 million customers. DIRECTV is a registered trademark of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of HUGHES Electronics Corporation. HUGHES Electronics is the world's leading provider of digital television entertainment, and satellite and wireless systems and services. The earnings of HUGHES Electronics, a unit of General Motors Corporation, are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :GMH GMH General Motors Holden's ). Visit DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at www.directv.com. |
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