4K Ultra HD Gets a Lift with Successful DIRECTV Satellite Launch
December 06 2014 - 4:39PM
Business Wire
DIRECTV 14 to Begin Operations in the U.S.
in First Half of Next Year; Strengthens Satellite Fleet and
Provides Capacity For More Advanced Services
The future of 4K Ultra HD received a rocket-propelled boost
today with the launch of a DIRECTV satellite that will deliver the
new standard in TV image quality directly to viewers’ homes in the
U.S., along with more HD for local markets and backup for DIRECTV’s
existing fleet of six HD satellites.
DIRECTV 14, a nearly seven-ton spacecraft, designed and built by
Space Systems/Loral, soared into space following its successful
launch today at 12:40 p.m. PT from the European Spaceport in
Kourou, French Guiana aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle by
Arianespace. Controllers at the ground station at Hassan, India
made contact with the satellite 28 minutes into the launch and
confirmed that all systems are functioning properly.
When the satellite begins operations in early second quarter of
next year, it will be the first commercial satellite to use the
Reverse Band Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS) spectrum, providing
additional capacity for the delivery of more 4K Ultra HD
programming and other advanced services to DIRECTV customers across
America including Alaska and Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
“We congratulate the launch team and our partners, Arianespace
and SSL, on a picture-perfect launch,” said Phil Goswitz, senior
vice president, Space and Communications, DIRECTV. “Today we
achieved a significant milestone in the development and future
adoption of 4K Ultra HD and ensured our customers will have an
entertainment experience that is second to none for many years to
come.”
Last month, DIRECTV became the first multi-channel video
provider to offer 4K Ultra HD programming direct to customers’ TVs,
offering a variety of new releases, popular films and nature
documentaries with nearly four times the resolution of HD.
Customers who have DIRECTV’s Genie HD DVR are able to watch 4K
programming on supporting 2014 Samsung UHD TVs.
In addition to 4K Ultra HD services, the satellite expands
DIRECTV’s capacity for future growth for advanced services via the
reverse band spectrum along with spot beam coverage for more local
HD.
DIRECTV 14, the 12th owned-and-operated satellite in the DIRECTV
fleet, will be positioned at 99 degrees West longitude and is
designed to provide service for 15 years or more. Video replays of
the DIRECTV 14 launch are available on www.directv.com.
Another satellite, DIRECTV 15, is scheduled to launch in the
first quarter of 2015.
About DIRECTV: DIRECTV (NASDAQ:DTV) is one of the
world's leading providers of digital television entertainment
services delivering a premium video experience through
state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry
leading customer service to more than 39 million customers in the
U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its over 20
million customers access to more than 195 HD channels and
Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive
sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, Emmy-award winning
technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable
companies for 14 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 more than 19 million
customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include two
Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and
minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show
Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please
visit www.directv.com.
DIRECTV, Inc.Robert Mercer, 310-964-4683
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