However, 23 of the new channels will be regional sports networks.
The satcaster also revealed that it will begin offering movies in 1080p high-def video, the highest resolution format available, and the same resolution available on the Blu-ray high-def disc. DIRECTV did not offer a launch date for 1080p movies, other than to say "later this year."
DIRECTV said the new HD channels that will launch next month are:
Showtime Extreme HD, Showtime Showcase HD, Planet Green HD, ABC Family HD, additional DIRECTV HD PPV channels and an additional 23 Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in HD 24 hours a day.
The satcaster said it will also transmit all of its HD programming in the MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding standard by the end of this month, saying it's the first to do so in the industry.
“Despite all the sound and fury of confusing HD claims from our competitors, our customers understand that DIRECTV is the destination for the most compelling and complete lineup of HD content,” said Derek Chang, DIRECTV's executive vice president.
DIRECTV launched a new satellite in March (DIRECTV 11) that will enable next month's high-def expansion. The satcaster says the new satellite -- and an additional one that will be launched next year -- will give it capacity for 200 national HD channels.
The satcaster did not say if the DIRECTV 11 satellite will permit it to offer more high-def channels this fall.
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