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DIRECTV Customers Count On Mix Channel For Election Night Coverage

Posted on: Tuesday, 21 October 2008, 15:00 CDT

As the drama of the historic 2008 Presidential election unfolds Nov. 4, DIRECTV will offer its customers a new way to get the most out of live election night coverage through an interactive Election Mix Channel. This unique channel will feature eight network feeds on one screen and a real-time election blog that will track the announcements and analysis on each channel as votes are counted, exit polling data is evaluated and electoral count projections roll in.

Compliments of DIRECTV, the Election Mix will include each of the four broadcast networks and other leading news channels - CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and alternating feeds of Comedy Central (when it's doing live election coverage) and BBC America - all on one screen.

Adopting the same award-winning interactive technology that has propelled the popularity of its sports programming, DIRECTV will enable customers with interactive receivers to highlight any one of the eight channels on the screen to listen to the audio on that channel, and then to select any highlighted cell to watch full screen. The Election Mix will replace the News Mix on DIRECTV channels 102 and 352 and will be available in both standard-definition and HD.

At the bottom of the 2008 Election Mix, DIRECTV will show live blog posts updating viewers on the networks' exit polling data, electoral count projections, results from significant Senate races, gubernatorial contests, ballot initiatives, and noteworthy news and quotes from reporters, analysts, and the candidates themselves.

"With record-setting voter turnout expected at the polls and tens of millions of viewers tuning in to watch the results of this historic election, the idea of offering the Election Mix as a service to our customers was a no-brainer," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, Entertainment, DIRECTV, Inc. "The interactive Mix channels have proven value for fans of our sports subscription services, and we believe the Election Mix will serve the same purpose here, helping viewers navigate the mosaic of news coverage, analysis and commentary of the shifting drama. They'll be able to call it a night, knowing they haven't missed a thing - and they saw it in vivid DIRECTV HD."

The 2008 Election Mix service will begin Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT and continue until the end of the broadcast day at 6 a.m. ET/3 a.m. PT. If events warrant, DIRECTV may extend the coverage.

The election blog, offering real-time posts from each network, will begin as polls in the East close and network begin coverage and will continue until the presidential election has been decided.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV), the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 17.1 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with more than 130 HD channels - more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed all national cable companies for eight years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.

Source: Business Wire

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