EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 2004--

DIRECTV Will Develop and Dramatically Expand NFL SUNDAY TICKET Package

with Advanced New Interactive Features and Programming Services

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital television service provider, today announced a five-year $3.5 billion agreement with the National Football League to extend and expand DIRECTV's exclusive rights to carry NFL SUNDAY TICKET, the leading sports subscription television package in the United States. DIRECTV will continue to have exclusive multichannel television rights to air NFL SUNDAY TICKET games through the 2010 season.

"NFL SUNDAY TICKET, which has been a cornerstone of our success, is the most distinguishing and important programming service available on DIRECTV, and we are thrilled to extend and expand our long-standing partnership with the NFL," said Chase Carey, president and CEO of The DIRECTV Group. "As an exclusive programming package, NFL SUNDAY TICKET has helped define us as a leader in multichannel television. With the enhancements that we will make to NFL SUNDAY TICKET we will recreate the NFL viewing experience -- an experience that only DIRECTV, not cable or other competitors, will be able to offer sports fans."

The new agreement gives DIRECTV the right to develop and dramatically expand the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package, as well as introduce innovative new features, interactive services and expanded programming for NFL SUNDAY TICKET subscribers. Highlights include:

    --  In addition to the standard NFL SUNDAY TICKET package, DIRECTV
        will offer a premium NFL SUNDAY TICKET package. NFL SUNDAY
        TICKET customers who subscribe to the premium package will
        have access to new interactive services and viewer-selected
        camera angles and replays. Subscribers to the premium NFL
        SUNDAY TICKET package will also have access to a new "Red
        Zone" channel, which will be devoted to switching from game to
        game for all the best live action and replays from any NFL
        SUNDAY TICKET game. The premium package will also provide
        viewers with the ability to index, search for, and view, plays
        of a specific NFL player, team or play-type from games played
        that Sunday. This will provide viewers with the power to
        create a personalized highlight show of their own fantasy
        team.

    --  DIRECTV has an exclusive opportunity to develop and
        distribute, for the first time, enhanced and exclusive
        versions of NFL postseason games, including the Super Bowl.

    --  DIRECTV customers with a digital video recorder (DVR) who
        currently receive the highlights on demand feature will
        receive expanded and unique NFL-related content and highlights
        downloaded to their DVR hard drives.

    --  DIRECTV will also have the right to provide remote access to
        NFL SUNDAY TICKET games and content to SUNDAY TICKET
        subscribers via broadband or wireless devices.

    --  DIRECTV will have access to, and plans to distribute, every
        NFL SUNDAY TICKET game produced in high-definition format, in
        addition to the standard-definition productions.

DIRECTV plans to offer a broader array of new interactive video and football-related features to NFL SUNDAY TICKET customers, such as a NFL SUNDAY TICKET mosaic channel that will show multiple games on one screen, making it easier for a viewer to select which game to watch. DIRECTV will also have the right to distribute an exclusive fantasy football show with NFL footage each week, as well as create virtual interactive game elements that would allow viewers -- using an interactive screen overlay that simulates game action -- to play along with a game. In addition, DIRECTV has greater marketing, advertising and sponsorship rights for NFL SUNDAY TICKET.

Under this agreement, DIRECTV has also extended its carriage agreement with NFL Network, the year-round television programming service fully dedicated to the NFL.

"Our DIRECTV partnership complements and supports our broadcast television packages," said NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue. "DIRECTV has been a great partner and this new agreement expands our joint commitment to the ongoing development of innovative ways for fans to enjoy the NFL."

Carey concluded, "The NFL SUNDAY TICKET package offers unrivaled NFL action and is a dream come true for football fans, and going forward we will be at the forefront of delivering the most advanced, compelling and entertaining programming service to our subscribers."

NFL SUNDAY TICKET subscribers see the biggest selection of NFL games available anywhere each and every Sunday during the 17-week regular season.

Analyst Conference Call Information

DIRECTV will host a conference call tomorrow for analysts concerning today's announcement. The call will begin at 8:00 am ET. The dial-in number is 913.981.5591 (confirmation code is 997219). A replay is scheduled to run from 11:00 am ET tomorrow until 11:59 pm ET on November 13. The replay numbers are 888.203.1112 and 719.457.0820, pass code is 997219.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital multichannel television service provider with more than 13.5 million customers. DIRECTV, Total Choice and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of The DIRECTV Group Inc. (NYSE:DTV). The DIRECTV Group is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment and broadband satellite networks and services. The DIRECTV Group is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation Ltd. For more information visit www.directv.com.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

NOTE: This release may contain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of the statements that include phrases such as we "expect," "plan," or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expected results expressed or implied by the relevant forward-looking statement.

    CONTACT: DIRECTV, Inc.
             Bob Marsocci, 310-726-4656

    SOURCE: DIRECTV, Inc.