DIRECTV Begins Offering Local Broadcast Network Channels in Memphis, Tenn.; Customers to Receive Local Channels via Satellite Beginning Sept. 27.

Business Editors

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2000

DIRECTV Inc., provider of the nation's leading digital television service, today announced the availability of local broadcast network channels via satellite for its DIRECTV(R) customers in Memphis, Tenn.

Beginning Sept. 27, all DIRECTV customers in the Memphis designated market area (DMA) will receive a free preview of their local broadcast network channel package.

DIRECTV customers in the Memphis DMA can subscribe to a local channel package that includes WPTY (ABC), WMC (NBC), WHBQ (FOX) and WREG (CBS). DIRECTV customers can subscribe to their local channel package for $5.99 per month. In addition to local broadcast network channels, a national PBS feed is included in each local channel package at no additional charge.

To receive local channels from the Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis 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 Memphis," 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 Memphis to cut cable and choose DIRECTV as their source for home entertainment."

Local Memphis channels from DIRECTV are available in the following counties:

    Arkansas Counties:
    Crittenden              Mississippi          Saint Francis
    Cross                   Phillips
    Lee                     Poinsett

    Missouri county:
    Pemiscot

    Mississippi Counties:
    Alcorn                  Lafayette            Tate
    Benton                  Marshall             Tippah
    Coahoma                 Panola               Tunica
    De Soto                 Quitman

    Tennessee Counties:
    Chester                 Gibson               McNairy
    Crockett                Hardeman             Shelby
    Dyer                    Haywood              Tipton
    Fayette                 Lauderdale

DIRECTV is supporting its local-into-local offerings in Memphis with marketing, point-of-sale and advertising campaigns in coordination with its extensive network of consumer electronics retailing partners and affiliate satellite dealers.

DIRECTV now has more than 8.7 million customers, including customers subscribing to the medium-power PRIMESTAR By DIRECTV service. DIRECTV is a registered trademark of DIRECTV Inc., a unit of Hughes Electronics Corp.

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 Corp., are used to calculate the earnings per share attributable to the General Motors Class H common stock (NYSE:GMH). Visit DIRECTV on the World Wide Web at WWW.DIRECTV.COM.