New "ION West" Network Feed Launches on DIRECTV

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- ION Media Networks, owner and operator of the nation's largest broadcast television station group, today announced that DIRECTV, the nation's No. 1 satellite service, has added a second nationwide "ION West" feed to optimally serve DIRECTV customers in the Pacific and Mountain time zones.

DIRECTV began broadcasting both East Coast and West Coast standard definition feeds of ION Television as part of its CHOICE programming package on March 25, 2009. DIRECTV's launch of ION West allows the nearly 25 percent of the population living in Pacific and Mountain time zones to watch a time zone adjusted feed of ION Television programming. "ION East" will continue to be on channel 305 and "ION West" will be on channel 347.

"DIRECTV is one of the nation's leading multichannel platforms and we are particularly pleased to enhance our service to its customers with two time-zone specific feeds," said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO of ION Media Networks. "ION Television has enjoyed strong ratings growth since its re-launch last September, and we are committed to expanding our entertainment service to DIRECTV customers this fall and beyond."

ION Television features a "Positively Entertaining" array of compelling television series, theatrical and made-for-television movies and specials. The recently rebranded network is populated with hit content from the award winning, critically acclaimed libraries of CBS Television, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Television, Twentieth Television and Warner Bros., among others. More specifically, ION Television's lineup is anchored by off-network hits including "Boston Legal," "NCIS" and blockbuster theatrical films. This fall, current hits "Criminal Minds and "Ghost Whisperer" join ION's schedule along with an original acquisition, "Durham County."

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV, Inc. (NASDAQ:DTV), the nation's No. 1 satellite television service, presents the finest television experience available to more than 17.6 million customers in the United States and is leading the HD revolution with more than 130 HD channels - more quality HD channels than any other television provider. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy access to over 265 channels of 100% digital picture and sound, exclusive programming, industry-leading customer satisfaction (which has surpassed all national cable companies for eight years running) and superior technologies that include advanced DVR and HD-DVR services and the most state-of-the-art interactive sports packages available anywhere. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit directv.com.

About ION Media Networks

ION Media Networks, Inc. owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group and ION Television, which reaches over 94 million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems, and features popular TV series and movies from the award-winning libraries of RHI Entertainment, CBS Television, NBC Universal, Sony Pictures Television, Twentieth Television and Warner Bros., among others. Using its digital multicasting capability, the Company has launched several digital TV brands, including qubo, a channel for children focusing on literacy and values, and ION Life, a channel dedicated to active living and personal growth. It also has launched Open Mobile Ventures Corporation (OMVION), a business unit focused on the research and development of portable, mobile and out-of-home transmission technology using over-the-air digital television spectrum. For more information, visit www.ionmedia.com.