DIRECTV to Launch ESPN 3D to Millions of Customers Nationwide

Beginning in June, DIRECTV Will Debut ESPN 3D with 2010 FIFA World Cup Matches

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., and BRISTOL, Conn., March 29, 2010 – Continuing to lead the 3D revolution by offering customers new dimensions in sports programming, DIRECTV will add ESPN 3D, the industry’s first 3D sports television network, to its upcoming 3D lineup that will offer three dedicated 3D channels, including DIRECTV’s newly named linear 3D channel, N3D™  powered by Panasonic. Launching in June, millions of DIRECTV HD customers will have access to ESPN’s entire 3D programming lineup, including up to 25 2010 FIFA World Cup matches.

ESPN 3D will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning June 11 with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match, featuring South Africa versus Mexico. Other events to be produced in 3D include X Games 16, 2010 college football ACC Championship, 2011 BCS National Championship game, college basketball and NBA games in 2011. DIRECTV HD customers who subscribe to ESPN will receive ESPN 3D at no additional cost.

“Watching ESPN’s comprehensive lineup of sports programming in 3D will be like having your own virtual seat at all of your favorite sporting events around the world. We are excited to be the first and only distributor to announce the launch of ESPN 3D and we look forward to announcing additional 3D partners throughout the year,” said Eric Shanks, executive vice president, DIRECTV Entertainment.

“ESPN and DIRECTV recognize the groundswell effect 3D has already had on the television industry in the last few months.  This agreement is the first step in providing sports fans access to exciting, dynamic content, as well as providing our affiliates new opportunities to provide cutting-edge product offerings to their subscribers,” said David C. Preschlack, executive vice president, affiliate sales and marketing, Disney & ESPN Networks Group.

In addition to N3D™ powered by Panasonic, which will deliver the best 3D programming from programmers such as AEG/AEG Digital Media, CBS, Fox Sports/FSN, Golden Boy Promotions, HDNet, MTV, NBC Universal and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., DIRECTV will also offer a 24/7 3D pay per view channel and a 24/7 3D DIRECTV on Demand channel, beginning this June.

This June, DIRECTV HD customers will receive a free software upgrade enabling them to have access to the 3D channels on DIRECTV.  DIRECTV HD customers will need a 3D television set and 3D glasses to view 3D programming on DIRECTV.

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is the world’s most popular video service delivering state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming, the most comprehensive sports packages available and industry leading customer service to its more than 25 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America.  In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 18.56 million customers the capacity for more than 200 HD channels in Dolby 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, award winning technology like its DIRECTV® DVR Scheduler and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for nine years running.  DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil,

Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay-TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to 6.5 million customers.  DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include three Regional Sports Networks (Northwest, Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh) as well as a 65 percent interest in Game Show Network.  For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please call 1-800-DIRECTV or visit directv.com.

About ESPN 3D

ESPN was the first to announce an exclusive 3D network in January 2010 which was the culmination of more than three years of testing 3D television.  ESPN has produced several 3D telecasts, including a Harlem Globetrotters game in February 2010 and in 2009 the USC vs. Ohio State college football game. ESPN has developed best practices for utilizing the technology in live game applications which have provided the ability to streamline workflow operations, adjust 3D camera positioning, perform transmission tests and gauge fan reaction to a 3D telecast versus a traditional telecast.

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March 25, 2010

Former ESPN President Chet Simmons Died Today

Leader at ESPN Launch, ABC Sports, NBC Sports, First USFL Commissioner

Sports broadcasting and cable pioneer, Chester R. Simmons, who served as president of ESPN at the company’s 1979 launch, died of natural causes today in Atlanta.  He was 81.

As a founding father of sports television, Simmons started in 1957 with Sports Programs, Inc., which soon evolved into ABC Sports, where he was instrumental in the development of Wide World of Sports. He became President of NBC Sports and later of ESPN, and was founding Commissioner of the USFL.

Simmons had been living in Savannah and Atlanta, Ga., since 1986.  He is survived by his wife Harriet of 53 years; his four children Pam, Jed, Pete and Nikki; his daughter-in-law Jana Simmons; his sons-in-law Randy Miller and Micah Goldstein; and nine grandchildren Ella, Zach, Claudia, Streeter, Ben, Zander, Jack, Reid, and Tyler.

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Simmons left an indelible mark on both the early days of broadcast sports television and the formative years of sports on cable.  During his career, he was an important contributor to the development of every major sport on the network level.  In 2005, Simmons received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 26^th annual Sports Emmy Awards.

“Chet Simmons’ leadership and vision in our first years were absolutely critical to ESPN’s survival,” said George Bodenheimer, president, ESPN and ABC Sports.  “He was the only industry President to have pioneered both sports broadcasting in the late ’50s and cable television in the late ’70s.  His legacy lives on in ESPN’s culture, stellar employees and commentators, and innovative programming.  Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Harriet, and his children.”

Added ESPN anchor Chris Berman, hired by Simmons approximately one month after the network launched:  “Chet did so much more than take a chance on us young people 30 years ago.  He took a chance on ESPN.  What you see today would have never been possible without him.  We’ll miss him as a mentor and as a friend.  All of us will be forever indebted to Chet Simmons.”

ESPN anchor Bob Ley, whom Simmons hired for SportsCenter the first week of the network’s operation, added: “I will forever treasure the trust that Chet placed in all of us at the beginning in 1979.  He brought this young network immediate expertise and credibility.  His legacy is seen in his family and his grandchildren, and professionally in the foundation he laid so well and profoundly with those of us who now celebrate his life. “

Simmons influenced or launched the commentating careers of Jim Simpson, Merlin Olsen, Greg and Bryant Gumbel, Dick Enberg, Curt Gowdy, Tony Kubek, Joe Gargiola, Sandy Koufax, Vin Scully, Donna de Varona, George Grande, Tom Mees, Dick Vitale, Cliff Drysdale, Tim Ryan, and Jack Buck; Sharon Smith, Leandra Reilly and Rhonda Glenn in the early years of ESPN; and many more.

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Simmons joined ESPN as president and chief operating officer on July 31, 1979, just prior to the network’s launch September 7.  Back then Simmons said: “There’s no question that cable television sports is at the same stage right now that network sports was 15 or 20 years ago, I’ve lived through the evolution of sports on television, and what lies ahead for cable television is incalculable at this point.  I was there during the inception of ABC Sports and the rebirth of NBC Sports, and I see many similarities between those beginnings and the beginning of ESPN and 24-hours-a-day televised sports.”

The following May he was promoted to president and chief executive officer and led the network through its infancy.  Among his most notable achievements were the birth and direction of SportsCenter on day one of ESPN, which three decades later continues to define the sports television news genre;  television’s first comprehensive coverage of the early rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament; and the NFL Draft telecast (both in 1980).  Simmons was a diversity advocate, placing women and people of color in key positions on air and behind the scenes.

He was an unabashed and unfailing advocate of the ESPN mission, never missing an opportunity to take on cynics and critics.  When faced with the inevitable question, “Who will watch sports 24 hours a day?” Simmons turned the query on its head, understanding the key wasn’t ‘round-the-clock viewers, but ‘round-the-clock accessibility.  For the young, hard-working ESPN staffers, he served as a pillar of strength for the fledgling, small outfit.

In 1982, Simmons left the company and joined the USFL as the league’s founding Commissioner, serving until January 1985.  In subsequent years Simmons served as a media consultant to Madison Square Garden and the Marquis Group; as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina; and as a member of the Savannah Sports Council and Film Commission.

Before ESPN, Simmons worked at NBC for 15 years, holding a variety of leadership positions, culminating as president of sports in November 1977.  He had served as vice president of sports from March 1977 to November 1977, vice president of sports operations from March of 1973 to 1977, and director of sports from 1964 to1973.  At NBC, Simmons helped in the development and growth of NBC’s SportsWorld.  He was also involved in the creation of “instant replay” and had a major hand in attaining NBC’s major sports properties, including the American Football League, National Football League, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, college basketball, the Rose and Orange Bowls, and Wimbledon.  Simmons was also instrumental in securing the coverage of the 1980 Olympics.

While at ABC from 1957 to 1964 when he held the title vice president and general manager of sports programs, his involvement in the development of Wide World of Sports would portend his unconventional yet winning approach years later at ESPN of providing a broad spectrum of sports and enhancing the technical quality of each event.  In that way, he understood that sports meant more than the major, well-known leagues and events.  He respected the fans of each.

Simmons was born on July 11, 1928, in New York City, and was raised in Ossining, N.Y., and Pawtucket, Rhode Island.  He earned a bachelor of arts degree in broadcasting from the University of Alabama, and did graduate work in radio and television at Boston University.  He served in the Coast Guard after leaving B.U.  In 2006, he was inducted into the University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences Hall of Fame.   In addition to following the Crimson Tide, he was a true Dodger fan, starting with the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field, and later became an ardent New York Yankees fan.

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