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DirecTV to Offer Local Channels in Youngstown
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- DirecTV Inc., a national digital multichannel television service provider, will begin offering local channels to its customers in the Youngstown and Toledo, Ohio, and Charleston, S.C., Greenville-New Bern, N.C., designated market areas (DMAs) later this year.DirecTV will provide its customers with access to a full lineup of local stations in each of these markets beginning at $39.99 per month for a package that includes more than 130 channels."Delivering local channels in these new markets enhances the value and choice for existing DirecTV customers, and offers consumers, who are unhappy with their local cable provider, a superior alternative," said Stephanie Campbell, executive vice president pf programming. "Given that consumers want an all-digital experience when they watch their local news, weather, sports or favorite primetime broadcast network programming, we expect to see more consumers in each of these markets choose DirecTV as their pay TV provider."The four markets are among the 24 new markets that will receive local channels from DirecTV following the relocation -- pending FCC approval -- of the DirecTV 5 satellite to the Telesat-controlled orbital slot at 72.5 degrees West longitude. Customers in those markets will require a second 18-inch dish to receive their local channels. The dish and installation will be provided at no charge.This month, DirecTV will complete the launch in 42 previously announced local markets, followed by the rollout of the 24 markets at the Telesat-controlled orbital slot later this year. By year-end DirecTV will deliver local channels in a minimum of 130 markets, representing 92% of U.S. television households.DirecTV currently serves more than 12.6 million customers. The DirecTV Group is 34% owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82% owned by News Corporation Ltd."