DIRECTV, Inc., has announced a major expansion of programming capacity with the planned launch of four new next-generation satellites. The successful launches will provide a powerful platform for local and national high-definition (HD) channels, as well as capacity for new interactive and enhanced services. These services will be available to every household in the United States by the year 2007.
The first two of these satellites, Spaceway 1 and Spaceway 2, will launch in 2005 with programming being offered to consumers by the middle of the year. These satellites will have the capacity for more than 500 local HD channels. With these satellites, DIRECTV will have the ability to bring local HD programming to most of the U.S. population, as well as continuing to expand standard-definition local offerings and other enhancements. The next two satellites, DIRECTV 10 and DIRECTV 11, will launch in early 2007. These satellites will have the capacity for more than 1,000 additional local HD channels, more than 150 national HD channels, and other new programming offerings. These satellites will provide DIRECTV the capability to bring local and national HD programming and other advanced services to every U.S. household. Consumers will be able to receive all of these services, as well as existing DIRECTV® programming, with a single small satellite dish. |
The Spaceway 1 and Spaceway 2 satellites, being built by Boeing, are nearly complete. In an interesting move, the satellites were modified recently and are now capable of offering both video and a broadband Internet service.
If anyone has questions about satellite technologies, HDTV or the upcoming high definition optical recording devices, be sure to visit our Satellite, HD-TV, Blu-ray and HD-DVD Forum.
Source: Yahoo!
