DirecTV offers more local TV
April 13, 2011
By Chris Forrester
American viewers want their local TV news, almost above all else. DirecTV says it already supplies local HDTV channels to 174 specific market regions in the USA. That number will grow by another 16 additional markets, which will also include HDTV transmissions, by the end of this year.
For customers who live within each new market, DirecTV says it will deliver HD programming from the primary broadcast networks – ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and CW – where available. Eligibility for local channels is based on service address within certain designated-market areas, as defined by Nielsen Media Research.
“We’re thrilled to expand our footprint by launching HD locals in these additional markets,” said Derek Chang, EVP/Content Strategy and Development for DirecTV. “With the expansion of our local-channel service to more than 99 per cent of TV homes across the country by the end of this year, we’ll become an even stronger competitor in these communities.”