DIRECTV NFL SUNDAY TICKET

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning will appear in the latest series of DIRECTV ad spots featuring celebrities who appear to step out of a well-known film or television scene to educate consumers about DIRECTV. Manning, a long-time DIRECTV spokesman, will be seen stepping away from game action into the living rooms of viewers to promote the exclusive DIRECTV NFL SUNDAY TICKET service as the only way for fans to catch their favorite teams and biggest games every Sunday during the regular season. The ads begin running this week.

The popular ad campaign, created by Deutsch, Inc., uses digital production technology, allowing actual feature film, or in this case NFL game film, to be inter-woven seamlessly with produced footage. The resulting effect has Manning directly addressing the viewing audience while in the middle of an actual NFL game. This same technology was employed in DIRECTV's recent spots using footage from the popular action film "Twister," the '80s classic "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" and the blockbuster comedy "Austin Powers."

"I've been a DIRECTV spokesman since I entered the NFL in 1998 so everyone knows I'm a huge DIRECTV fan, but I've really enjoyed this year's ad campaign and I'm excited to now be a part of it," said Manning. "In reality, I don't think anything could ever break my concentration from what's happening on the field in a game, but that's exactly what makes this particular commercial so funny."

An additional version of this campaign featuring Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher is planned to follow the Manning spot in the weeks to come.

"Peyton Manning has proven to be one of the most effective and popular spokesmen for DIRECTV and a perfect choice for the ad campaign given his iron-clad focus on the field and consummate professionalism," said Jon Gieselman, senior vice president of Advertising and Public Relations, DIRECTV, Inc. "In a world where it is increasingly challenging to grab consumers' attention, it's definitely jarring to see him break from the game action and speak to the benefits of our exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET package directly to camera."

The premiere of the Manning spot this week marks the beginning of DIRECTV's 2006 consumer offer for its exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKET service - the popular NFL subscription package that provides fans with the biggest selection of NFL games - up to 14 out-of-market games every Sunday during the NFL regular season.

New DIRECTV residential customers who purchase the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package for four payments of $69.99 each will receive four free months of the best DIRECTV programming package, TOTAL CHOICE PREMIER, for a savings of $540. The DIRECTV offer is also available to new customers who subscribe to the DIRECTV PARA TODOS SELECCION PREMIER Spanish-language package.

To be eligible, consumers must activate 2006 NFL SUNDAY TICKET between June 28 and Oct. 2, 2006; must be a new residential lease customer; and also agree to a one or two programming commitment, depending on what type of hardware the customer activates.

NFL SUNDAY TICKET customers can also add the NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan option for $99. SuperFan returns for the 2006 season with more than 110 NFL games in crystal-clear HD, the Red Zone Channel, Game Mix, and Short Cuts, a popular feature that replays every game in 30 minutes or less, commercial free.

“To make the switch to DIRECTV, Call Expert Satellite, DIRECTV’s Preferred On-Line Retailer, at 800-431-1221.”

SOURCE: DIRECTV