PBS-HD coming to DirecTV

DirecTV will soon add public television station signals across the country in high definition, the company said today.

DirecTV, the nation's HD leader with 87 national high-def channels, has a carriage agreement with the Association of Public Television Stations and the Public Broadcasting Service. DirecTV viewers will have access to other Public Television content as well.

DirecTV currently offers local HD programming in 68 markets, representing more than 72 percent of U.S. TV households. Charlotte is one of those markets, though viewers here cannot get the local CW affiliate, WJZY, Channel 46, and Channel 55 in HD without an off-air antenna.

Los Angeles recently added two new HD stations and DirecTV began carrying them this week, marking the fourth area nationally where it carried all six major commercial network affiliates.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with APTS and PBS to offer our customers award-winning HD programming from local Public Television stations across the country," said DirecTV president Chase Carey. "This agreement is the result of a cooperative effort that will utilize innovative technology to deliver the highest quality local content to DIRECTV viewers."

APTS President & CEO John Lawson said: "This is a forward-looking, innovative agreement for the digital age. It means the great HD programming from PBS and local Public Television stations will be available to DIRECTV customers in every market where DIRECTV carries any local HD. We will also work together to make available a vast library of on demand content from local Public Television stations across the country. This is a great day for public service media in America."