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Chris Blount
12-08-05, 01:09 PM
DIRECTV Now Offers Local Channels in Alaska; Local Stations in Juneau, Anchorage and Fairbanks Roll Out Today

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 2005--DIRECTV customers in Alaska now have access to their local news, weather, sports and prime-time network programming -- all in digital-quality picture and sound -- as DIRECTV rolls out local broadcast stations in Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks, Alaska today.

With the launch of local channels in Alaska and three other markets later this month, DIRECTV will offer local channels in 142 markets, representing more than 93 percent of U.S. TV households.

"Today's announcement by DIRECTV is great news for Alaskans. DIRECTV has delivered local channels to our state, so that Alaskans now have access to the same level of television service that most customers in the lower 48 states enjoy," said Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). "Local television programming provides important information and entertainment to Alaskans, who will now be able to receive this programming via satellite in our state's three major cities."

"Customers in Alaska who have had few options for the reception of local programming now have the ability to watch their favorite local news and entertainment programming in digital-quality picture and sound via DIRECTV," said Dan Fawcett, executive vice president, Programming Acquisition, DIRECTV, Inc. "New satellites and advances in technology have enabled us to provide most viewers in Alaska with a complete lineup of DIRECTV(R) programming for the first time."

DIRECTV customers will be able to access their national DIRECTV programming and local channels in Alaska by using a new DIRECTV H20 receiver and a 1.2-meter dish. DIRECTV receiving equipment is available at independent retailers and can also be ordered directly from DIRECTV by calling a dedicated toll free number at 1-877-897-8131. Information on how to order equipment is also available at Blockbuster stores, and beginning next year, the new DIRECTV receiving equipment can also be ordered at Best Buy and Wal-Mart locations.

The new receiving equipment and live local channel feeds can be viewed at AP&T Wireless, an independent DIRECTV dealer in Juneau beginning Dec. 12.

The following local channels will be available via DIRECTV in each market:

Juneau Local Channels
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-- KTOO (PBS)/Channel 3 -- KJUD (ABC)/Channel 8
-- KTBY (FOX)/Channel 4 -- KTNL (CBS/PAX)/Channel 13
-- KATH-LP (NBC)/Channel 5 -- WB (WB)/Channel 14
-- KYES (UPN)/Channel 15


Anchorage Local Channels(a)
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-- KTBY (FOX)/Channel 4 -- KIMO (ABC)/Channel 13
-- KYES (UPN)/Channel 5 -- WB (WB)/Channel 14
-- KAKM (PBS)/Channel 7 -- KDMD (PAX)/Channel 33

(a) DIRECTV has not yet reached agreements with the owners of KTVA
(CBS)/Channel 11 and KTUU (NBC)/Channel 2. We hope to add these
channels to the lineup in the near future.


Fairbanks Local Channels(b)
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-- KATN (ABC)/Channel 2 -- KTVF (NBC)/Channel 11
-- KJNP (IND)/Channel 4 -- WB (WB)/Channel 14
-- KUAC(PBS)/Channel 9

(b) DIRECTV has not yet reached agreements with the owners of KXD-LP
(CBS)/Channel 13 and KFXF (FOX)/Channel 7. We hope to add these
channels to the lineup in the near future.

SOURCE (http://phoenix.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=794252&highlight=)

Jim Parker
12-08-05, 06:42 PM
Cool! I have Dish now, but it is nice to have the option to go to DirecTV. As soon as DirecTV has channels 2 and 11, I will weigh the pros and cons of each service.

It would be nice to getting rid of the bug ridden Dish 921, but I don't know if the H2O is any better.

SamC
12-08-05, 06:57 PM
How do you spend millions of dollars and make a big splash of a launch and have "not yet reached agreements" with two of the Big 4 affiliates?

Brainless.

pez2002
12-09-05, 11:33 AM
sweet

Greg Bimson
12-09-05, 12:55 PM
I doubt millions of dollars were spent with this announcement.

Besides, Dish Network doesn't offer CBS or FOX in Juneau, either.

And KTUU was difficult for Dish Network; the station didn't start when the Anchorage package launched.

SamC
12-09-05, 03:19 PM
I doubt millions of dollars were spent with this announcement.



I think launching the sat cost at least $50M.

Saying "yes, we are serving our customers. " is never difficult.

Greg Bimson
12-10-05, 09:10 AM
Serving Alaska and Hawaii locals was mandated by Congress and signed into law by President Bush. Sure, launching the satellite costs money, but Spaceway 1 is up there to deliver HD. You cannot attribute $50 million to launching Alaska and Hawaii local channels.