Media enterprise the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) will begin featuring select full-length programming on Joost, the Internet television service. At launch, the PBS offering will include popular series, such as History Detectives and Scientific American Frontiers, as well as specials from PBS' award-winning 'Empires' collection.

Separately, satellite operator DirecTV revealed a deal to carry Public Television Stations in HD, thanks to an agreement reached with the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). DirecTV viewers will have access to other Public Television content as well.

DirecTV will include the local HD feeds of Public Television stations in its HD rollout plans beginning in 2008. DirecTV currently offers local HD programming in 68 markets, representing more than 72 per cent of U.S. TV households.

DirecTV, APTS and PBS also will work together to develop new video on demand offerings to make available local and national public television programming to DirecTV's customers anytime they want it. In addition, DirecTV will carry two national standard-definition channels of Public Television programming, further expanding its commitment to high-quality educational programming.

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