25 Aug 2010 - DirecTV, the El Segundo-based satellite TV provider, will have a low-key "soft launch" for its service that expands its popular Sunday Ticket NFL football package to the Internet.

Starting Sept. 8, sports fans nationwide who are unable to purchase DirecTV's satellite service can access any NFL Sunday football game through online streaming. The service has a $350 subscription charge.

The soft launch comes after DirecTV tested the program in the New York market during the last NFL season.

DirecTV expects this service to be limited in scope.

"Our goal is to ensure that all fans can enjoy Sunday Ticket even if they are part of the VERY small segment that cannot get DirecTV," spokesman Robert Mercer said Wednesday in an e-mail exchange.

DirecTV will use an authentication process to ensure that buyers of the online service don't already have and are unable to sign up for a standard DirecTV subscription, Mercer said.

He didn't give details on the verification method, which will be part of the ordering process.

The method to determine eligibility won't be fool-proof, Mercer noted, "but based on the fact that the viewing experience is better on a 50-inch HD flat screen, we're not concerned about cannibalization or any impact on broadcast ratings."

Some homes can't receive DirecTV broadcasts because they don't have a direct line of sight to an orbiting DirecTV satellite.

The company did not release a statement on its new online service and will not support the launch with any formal marketing material, Mercer said.

"Based on this year's results we will be able to assess the strategy (for) 2011 and beyond," he said.

DirecTV's Sunday Ticket package has helped the company grow its subscriber base to 18.76 million customers in the United States - making its the top satellite TV provider and one of the biggest pay-TV services.

Sunday Ticket also has helped DirecTV attract higher-paying subscribers than competitor Dish Network. Satellite Internet Service
source: www.dailybreeze.com