DirecTV to deliver exclusive first look at new primetime TV shows

(26 July 2005 2:00 pm)

MUMBAI: In what it asserts is a first for a pay television service, DirecTV is offering its subscribers a sneak preview of the new primetime fall programming from ABC, CBS, FOX, HBO, NBC, Showtime, UPN and The WB, weeks before the season begins.

For this unique and first-of-its-kind promotional opportunity, beginning in early August and through September, DirecTV will air on channel 101 a 30-minute preview highlighting new programming from each broadcast network, as well as previews of the new fall programming from HBO and Showtime.

DirecTV will air the sneak previews to all residential customers free of charge. The sneak previews will also be pushed through to the more than two million DirecTV TiVo subscribers as part of an on-demand DirecTV Showcase -- the programming will be stored on customers' hard drives and they can view the content at their leisure during the week. Each network's sneak preview will air exclusively for one week.

"With these sneak previews, we are giving DirecTV customers an unprecedented opportunity to check out the new season of television programs. Collectively, the participating networks will showcase several new programs and our customers can get an inside look at these new shows. What television fan wouldn't want to take advantage of such an opportunity? Our goal is to continuously deliver compelling and unique content, and we believe these sneak previews will be met with a resounding cheer from our subscribers," said DirecTV Entertainment president David Hill.