NBC Announces New Horror and Thriller Cable Network "Chiller"  1/12/07

NBC UNIVERSAL CABLE ENTERTAINMENT TO LAUNCH CHILLER - NEW HORROR AND THRILLER CABLE NETWORK

Chiller Due for Launch March 1, 2007 and Will Be Anchored by Horror TV Classics Such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and Movies Including "The Shining"

DIRECTV First Affiliate to Distribute Chiller

Burbank, CA - January 12, 2007 - NBC Universal Cable Entertainment today announced the launch of Chiller, a 24-hour entertainment cable channel dedicated to the horror genre. DIRECTV will be the first affiliate to carry the new network.

The announcement was made by Jeff Gaspin, President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, Digital Content and Cross Network Strategy.

"We continually look at our options for launching new networks," said Gaspin. "Horror is one of the most reliably successful genres in entertainment today and Chiller seems like a well-timed addition to our portfolio."

The new multi-platform channel will be offered as a triple pack service, which features a standard definition channel (SD), hi-definition simulcast channel (HD), and a video-on-demand (VOD) channel as well as broadband on demand offerings. Dan Harrison, Senior Vice President Emerging Networks, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment, will oversee day-to-day operations of Chiller. He also runs Sleuth and Universal HD under the Emerging Networks banner.

"DIRECTV is a valued partner of ours, has supported all of our services, and we are thrilled that they are the first affiliate to launch Chiller," said Bridget Baker, president, NBC Universal Television Networks Distribution. "We believe that Chiller and the horror genre is one that all of our affiliates will embrace."

Chiller will feature classic horror films and television shows around the clock. At launch, the programming slate will include the television series "Friday the 13th," "Twin Peaks," "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "Tales from the Crypt." Feature films in rotation will include "The Shining," Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" and "The Birds," "Sphere," The Stephen King mini-series "The Langoliers," "Blade Runner," "Believe," "The Crew" and "The Unholy." The specific programming schedule for Chiller will be announced at a later date.

About Chiller Chiller, an NBC Universal Cable channel scheduled to launch March 1, 2007, is the only entertainment cable channel dedicated to the popular horror genre, around the clock. Chiller features exclusive horror and thriller programming from "Twin Peaks," "Tales From the Crypt" and "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" to "The Shining," Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" and "The Birds" and "The Unholy." To learn more, visit: www.chillertv.com. Chiller will offer a digital triple-pack service, which features a standard definition digital channel (SD), hi-definition simulcast channel (HD), and a video-on-demand (VOD) channel offered as a digital bundle. The SD digital channel will be available in the first quarter of 2007, with the VOD and HD offerings available later in 2007.

About NBC Universal Television Networks Distribution NBC Universal Television Networks Distribution, a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's preeminent media companies, drives the company's cable strategic development and growth including video-on-demand, pay-per-view, HDTV, TV EST (electronic sell-through), TV Wireless distribution and retransmission consent, and oversees the cable distribution, marketing and local ad sales of fourteen properties (Bravo, CNBC, CNBC World, MSNBC, mun2, NBC Weather Plus, SCI FI, ShopNBC, Sleuth, Telemundo, Telemundo Puerto Rico, Universal HD, USA and the Olympics on cable).

About DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 15.6 million customers through exclusive content, industry-leading customer service (which has surpassed cable for six years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy over 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound; exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere including NFL SUNDAY TICKET(tm), and MLB EXTRA INNINGS(tm). DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan(tm), US Open Interactive and YES Network Interactive and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. For the most up-to-date information on the Company, please visit directv.com.

Source: NBC Press Release