DIRECTV Takes It Down to The Wire(R) with the Debut of the Acclaimed Series on the 101 Network

Ground Breaking HBO(R) Series Will Air Uncut and Commercial Free in HD Beginning July 18, 2010

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- In a continued effort to provide subscribers with the most distinctive and exclusive programming experiences, DIRECTV'S The 101 Network will premiere one of television's most heralded series, The Wire, on Sunday, July 18, 2010. Never before available in HD, all five seasons (60 episodes) of The Wire will air uncut and commercial free for the first time since its run on HBO, compliments of DIRECTV.

"Thought provoking, powerful series like The Wire are few and far between. By adding The Wire to our Sunday night lineup, we are further cementing The 101 Network's reputation as a destination for the most highly acclaimed dramas on television"

"Thought provoking, powerful series like The Wire are few and far between. By adding The Wire to our Sunday night lineup, we are further cementing The 101 Network's reputation as a destination for the most highly acclaimed dramas on television," said Patty Ishimoto, vice president and general manager of DIRECTV's The 101 Network. "We are confident that our customers will be captivated by the amazing storytelling in this series, which has been widely regarded as one of the top programs of the decade."

Set in the city of Baltimore, the Peabody Award-winning series is a brilliant portrayal of the decaying infrastructure of American urban life. With each season focusing on a different facet of the city (the drug trade, the port, city government and bureaucracy, the school system and the print news media), The Wire is an uncommonly deep exploration of sociopolitical themes, examining the effect these institutions have on the inhabitants of the city.

The first season of the series focused on the often-futile efforts of the police to infiltrate a West Baltimore drug ring run by the Barksdale family. Seasons two and three followed the plight of the blue-collar urban working class as exemplified in the city port, leading to the escalation of the Barksdale investigation and the resultant pressures it placed on the city's political leadership. Season four shifted focus to the city's public school system and the struggles students face at home and on the street corner. The fifth and final season of The Wire centered on the media's role in addressing � or failing to address � the fundamental political, economic and social realties depicted throughout the course of the series.

The Wire was created by David Simon and first aired on HBO in 2002. The show was executive produced by Simon, Robert F. Colesberry and Nina Kostroff Noble. Regular Directors included Joe Chappelle, Ernest Dickerson, Daniel Attias, Ed Bianchi, Clark Johnson and Steve Shill. Series writers include David Simon, Ed Burns and George Pelecanos.

The Wire features a large ensemble cast including Dominic West (Chicago, Hannibal Rising, 300) as Detective James "Jimmy" McNulty, John Doman (Mystic River, Oz, Damages) as Deputy Commissioner William A. Rawls, Wendell Pierce (Waiting to Exhale, Law & Order, Numb3rs) as Detective William "Bunk" Moreland, Lance Reddick (Oz, Fringe, Lost,) as Lt. Cedric Daniels, Deirdre Lovejoy (Spin City, Without A Trace, Bones) as Asst. State's Attorney Rhonda Pearlman, Sonja Sohn (The Killing Zone, Cold Case, Brothers and Sisters) as Detective Shakima "Kima" Greggs, Seth Gilliam (Oz, Law & Order, CSI: Miami) as Sgt. Ellis Carver, Domenick Lombardozzi (Public Enemy, Entourage, Carlito's Way: Rise to Power) as Detective Thomas "Herc" Hauk, Clarke Peters (Oz, Endgame, Marley & Me) as Detective Lester Freamon, Andre Royo (Heroes, Criminal Minds, CSI: NY) as Bubbles, Michael K. Williams (Gone Baby Gone, The Incredible Hulk, The Road) as Omar Little, Jim True-Frost (Affliction, Homicide: Life on the Street, Medium) as Detective Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski and Aidan Gillen (12 Rounds, Identity, Blackout) as Councilman Thomas "Tommy" Carcetti.

About DIRECTV's The 101(R) Network

The 101 Network, DIRECTV's exclusive entertainment channel, is a unique television experience that is available to more than 18.5 million DIRECTV subscribers. In 2008, the network changed the television landscape with the unprecedented third season premiere of the Emmy Award-winning series Friday Night Lights and has since become the premiere destination for diverse, quality and critically acclaimed programming including Underbelly, Supreme Court of Comedy and The Dan Patrick Show. Through its partnerships with leading television and film studios, networks and top cable channels, The 101 Network offers viewers the finest in drama and comedy, with daring, innovative series, exclusive "sneak peek" programming and premium cable series un-cut in their original form. The 101 Network showcases concert specials from superstar artists and celebrated music festivals such as Farm Aid, sporting events such as UFC Fighter expos�s and the annual DIRECTV Celebrity Beach Bowl; as well as feature films and TV movie specials.