DirecTV to offer exclusive footage from The Twilight Saga: New Moon

DirecTV will offer a special midnight premiere of The Twilight Saga: New Moon for pay-per-view on Mar. 20, which includes behind-the-scenes bonus footage not available from cable networks. Bonus featurettes include “The Subtle Details” (behind-the-scenes look at New Moon’s production design), and “Chris Weitz Takes the Helm” (a look at the transition from ‘Twilight’ director Catherine Hardwicke and ‘New Moon’ director Chris Weitz). Full Story

DirecTV aims for June launch of 3D channel

DirecTV along with Panasonic displayed a satellite feed of 3D content at CES 2010. Reps for the satellite provider confirmed plans to launch a 3D channel this coming June (which is when ESPN says they will launch their 3D network…coincidence?). I should reiterate though the company is hopeful of launching in June, as no exact date was mentioned. Full Story

DirecTV’s new satellite will enable more HD channels

DirecTV officially announced a successful launch of their new satellite, DIRECTV 12, which the company says will allow them to offer 200 HD channels to subscribers. Although this would put them way ahead of competitors, they have not announced any of the channels they would offer. Full Story

Rumors are DirecTVs new satellite will deliver 3D channel

HDGuru Gary Merson wrote an article claiming DirecTV’s newest satellite DIRECTV 12 (launching tonight) will bring the first US high-definition 3D channel. While it was confirmed by DirecTV that a successful launch of the satellite would bring more digital programming (supposedly up to 200 HD channels according to TV Predictions), HDGuru says the satellite provider will make an announcement about the 3D channel at CES 2010. Full Story

DirecTV adds HDNet content to on-demand library

DirecTV has added content from Mark Cuban owned networks HDNet and HDNet Movies. Over 20 hours from HDNet, and 25 movies from HDNet Movies are now part of the DirecTV video-on-demand library. Full Story

Friday Night Lights Season 4 now running

In case you missed it, Friday Night Lights Season 4 started running this week. The new season takes you back to Dillon, Texas, where Coach Taylor (fired from the Panthers) has been forced to take a job at new rival school East Dillon High. The show is running on DirecTV’s 101 Network, where it is shown exclusively until NBC starts running the show in 2010. Full Story

DirecTV adds local HD channels in Columbia, S.C.

DirecTV has added local high-definition channels to their service in Columbia, South Carolina (population 127,029). New local broadcast networks which DirecTV will carry in HD include: WOLO/ABC, WLTX/CBS, WZRB/CW, WACH/FOX, WIS/NBC and ETV/PBS. Full Story

DirecTV delivers local HD to Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA

DirecTV has now expanded its local HD programming services to customers in Roanoke-Lynchburg, Virginia. The satellite TV provider now offers local HD broadcast channels in 127 markets, representing more than 89 percent of U.S. TV households. Full Story

DirecTV to launch seven new local HD markets

DirecTV says it will soon launch local HD channels in 7 new markets, which will reach an additional 133 U.S. cities. First on the list is the Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA market, which will get local HD on July 9. Coming soon on Aug. 9, Shreveport, LA will get local HD. Full Story

Dish and DirecTV win in Kentucky

Satellite TV providers Dish Network and DirecTV are no doubt excited about a recent Supreme Court Ruling. The decision overruled a Kentucky law allowing local governments to tax satellite TV. Full Story

DirecTV to add local HD channels in Lafayette, Ind.

DirecTV will start local HD service in Lafayette, Indiana tomorrow. Channels WLFI/CBS, WTHR/NBC, WXIN/FOX and WTTV/CW will be available in DirecTV’s market areas. With the addition, the satellite television provider will offer local HD channels in 125 cities. Full Story

DirecTV expands local HD in Harrisonburg, launches ScoreGuide

DirecTV has expanded its local HD coverage to 123 U.S. cities with the addition of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Channels added today in high definition include: WHSV/ABC (Channel 3), WVPT/PBS (Channel 51) and FOX (Channel 49). DirecTV now offers local HD in 89 percent of U.S. TV households. Full Story

DirecTV presents Bond in 1080p

DirecTV has loaded up the newest Bond film Quantum of Solace in 1080p to their HD VOD library, along with a collection of James Bond classics including Diamonds Are Forever, Dr. No, Goldfinger, and From Russia With Love. Other Bond favs added include Die Another Day, Golden Eye and the precursor to Quantum of Solace, Casino Royale. Full Story

DirecTV adds a few local HD channels

According to Multichannel News DirecTV added a few local HD channels yesterday. Subscribers in the Philadelphia area will now get WHYY (PBS) in high-definition. Subscribers in the Tucson, Arizona area will now get KUAT (PBS) HD, KWBA (CW) HD, and KTTU (MNT) HD.

Verizon, CA adds HD channels, surpasses DirecTV

Verizon has added 18 new channels to market areas in California including several new high-definition channels. According to the company, they now offer a total of 110 HD channels in those areas. If those numbers are correct, DirecTV’s high-def channel domination seems to have been surpassed, at least for now. Full Story

DirecTV HD vs. Verizon FiOS HD

Last week, a study from Pike & Fischer revealed Verizon offers only one HD channel less than long-time high-definition channel leader DirecTV. The report, entitled “HDTV Service Comparison,” found DirecTV offers as many as 104 HD channels, with Verizon’s FiOS TV service close behind offering as many as 103. Full Story

DirecTV launches PBS HD in 14 markets

Across the U.S., DirecTV has launched local PBS channels in HD (High-Definition) in 14 different markets. The markets range from New York to Los Angeles, covering many major metropolitan areas. The satcaster says it will continue to launch the public channel in more markets over the next several months. Full Story

DirecTV hits 115 local HD markets

DirecTV added an additional 6 cities yesterday to bring their local HD markets to 115. The satellite television provider is now just 6 cities away from their year end goal of 121 local HD markets. They now offer local HD broadcasts to over 87% of U.S. TV households. Full Story

DirecTV delivers local HD in Boise, ID

DirecTV now delivers local HD in the Boise, Idaho area. According to the company, the service starts today and offers local HD for the following networks: KBCI/CBS, KTVB/NBC, KIVI/ABC and KTRV/FOX.

With these new additions, DirecTV has reached 109 cities where local HD channels are provided. The company is on target to reach 121 cities by the end of 2008. Full Story

DirecTV Election Mix Channel starts at 7pm ET

DirecTV will offer an Election Mix Channel tonight which will split coverage of the four major broadcast networks and other leading news channels. Along with NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX, the DirecTV Election Mix Channel will bring coverage of a total of eight channels. CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC will be consistent feeds on the split. One channel will alternate between BBC America and Comedy Central who is providing live coverage. Full Story