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Thursday September 9, 4:34 AM
DirecTV's new satellites to expand high-definition
NEW YORK (Reuters) - No. 1 U.S. satellite television provider DirecTV Inc. on Wednesday said it would launch four new satellites to expand programming capacity, particularly for high-definition channels and interactive services.
"Only DirecTV, not cable or other competitors, will have the capability to bring hundreds of high-definition channels and other enhancements to consumers across the entire country," said Chase Carey, chief executive of the DirecTV Group Inc.
El Segundo, California-based DirecTV said the new satellites will help the company keep a hold on strong subscriber growth in local channel markets.
DirecTV will launch the first two new satellites in 2005, with programming available to consumers in the middle of the year, adding capacity for more than 500 local high-definition channels.
The remaining two satellites will launch in early 2007, with capacity for 1,000 additional local high-definition channels and 150 national high-definition channels.
All four satellites will be built by Boeing, with the first two capable of offering both video and broadband Internet service, the company said.
DirecTV Group is controlled by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. through the Fox Entertainment Group
