DirecTV: Our HDTV Plans Are OK, Despite Accident

DirecTV's (DTV) plans to offer 100 national HDTV channels by the end of the year may be in doubt. Its plans to orbit a new satellite later this year are up in the air after the launch company had a rocket blow up on its sea-based platform Wednesday. Eric Savitz quotes an analyst at Bernstein Research saying that the accident will delay DirecTV's launch.

The concern is that without the satellite, DirecTV won’t have the capacity for the new HDTV channels. But Phillip Swann’s TVPredictions.com says the satcaster is speaking cautiously. While a spokesman said the explosion would not impact the high-def plans, he did say DirecTV is "evaluating our options."

DirecTV had two launches planned for this year. One in June is planned for ground site, while the other was the ocean launch. The Bernstein analyst says a delay, "would limit the rate at which DirecTV can expand availability of local HD channels."