1/9/2003

DIRECTV and TiVo to Introduce New High-Definition

DIRECTV and TiVo to demonstrate new DIRECTV HDTV DVR at CES

January 9, 2003 - LAS VEGAS, Jan. 9, 2003 -- DIRECTV, Inc. and TiVo (NASDAQ:TIVO) announced today that they will introduce a new DIRECTV® HDTV DVR that will enable consumers to record and playback DIRECTV high- definition, as well as standard-definition DIRECTV® programming and terrestrial ATSC broadcasts. The companies will demonstrate the new receivers this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas (DIRECTV Booth 13525, TiVo Booth N208).

The DIRECTV® HDTV DVR is expected to be available to consumers by year-end. The DIRECTV® DVR with TiVo® service will apply all the familiar TiVo functions to DIRECTV and ATSC high-definition programming -- including the ability to record, pause, instant replay and rewind live television. The new DIRECTV® HDTV DVR will feature a larger recording capacity than existing DIRECTV® DVRs, and will feature component and digital video outputs for enhanced audio and video. Manufacturers and pricing will be announced at a later date.

"Our new HDTV DVR combines the best HDTV and DVR features in one receiver and is clearly a product for which our discriminating customers have been waiting,” said Brad Beale, senior vice president, Product Development and Advanced Services, DIRECTV, Inc. “They no longer have to choose between high-definition or DVR. The new DVR takes what’s best about TiVo, the ability to personalize TV viewing, into the realm of high-definition for an even more extraordinary DVR experience."

"HDTV is no doubt the future of home entertainment and we are excited to work with DIRECTV to bring HDTV and TiVo together." said Ta-Wei Chien senior VP and general manager, TiVo Technology and Licensing. "DIRECTV brings the best of new technology to its subscribers, which means HDTV and TiVo. This is a winning combination." 

In addition to the component outputs and S-Video, the new DIRECTV® HDTV DVR will incorporate a Digital Visual Interface (DVI) connector with high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP). The component or DVI may be configured for all HD formats or standard definition. Details on the size of the hard drive will be available at a later date.

DIRECTV offers four HDTV channels -- HBO® HDTV (programming from the HBO® East channel), SHOWTIME HDTV® (programming from the SHOWTIME East channel), a high-definition channel featuring pay per view movies from major motion picture studios, and HDNet, an all HD network that will offer the largest selection of sports programming available in high definition.

The DIRECTV® HDTV DVR, like existing DIRECTV® DVRs, will also have the ability to enable viewers to create a Season Pass™ to automatically record every episode of favorite shows, and, using the WishList™ feature, instruct the recorder to find and record shows featuring favorite actors, directors, sports teams or interests. 

Pricing information on the new DIRECTV® HDTV DVR box will be announced at a later date and a monthly subscription fee will be required to receive the DIRECTV® DVR with TiVo® service.