The New RCA DIRECTV System with Microsoft’s New UltimateTV Service

Microsoft Corp., DIRECTV Inc. and THOMSON multimedia have formed an alliance to bring to
market a new advanced RCA® DIRECTV™ system with the new Microsoft® UltimateTV™ service.
The all new RCA DS4290RE System with UltimateTV and DIRECTV service is the first and only direct broadcast satellite (DBS) television platform
that integrates DIRECTV programming, digital video recording, interactive television and Internet access in one complete package. This package
will allow viewers to watch two shows on DIRECTV at the same time (picture-in-picture), watch one show while recording another, and record over 30
hours of digital quality programming for later viewing on their own “personal line-up.” Viewers can choose from more than 500 hours per week of
interactive television, respond to promotions with the click of a remote, and stay in touch with family and friends by e-mail. The RCA DIRECTV
receiver with UltimateTV and DIRECTV service is scheduled to be available for retail purchase by the 2000 holiday shopping season.

Bringing the leading satellite television provider into the mix of this alliance means consumers will have access to the widest array of digital
television programming, as well as to the most robust multimedia and information portal available. The marriage of satellite bandwidth, two digital
tuners and a large hard drive will allow viewers the convenience of accessing both traditional video programming and multimedia information on
demand.
DIRECTV will also introduce with this platform its new Advanced Program Guide (APG), which allows consumers to view program listings up to14 days
in advance. The new APG will feature convenient navigation search capabilities, making it easy to find programs by title, subject matter or category.
“Almost six years ago to the day, DIRECTV introduced a superior alternative to the way consumers view television. Today we’re moving beyond
traditional television programming by offering consumers a richer, more robust television experience that marries entertainment and information
services together in one seamlessly integrated platform,” said Larry Chapman, president of DIRECTV Global Digital Media Inc. “Working with
industry leaders like Microsoft and THOMSON multimedia allows us to offer consumers the very best in television technology and is in keeping with
our mission to provide our customers with the most compelling multimedia and information experience available.”