DIRECTV Launches New Satellite to Boost HD Offerings

There was good news for fans of high-definition from provider DIRECTV this week. The satellite television provider successfully launched its latest satellite Tuesday. Named DIRECTV 12, this launch brings the total number of satellites the company has in orbit up to 11, with 5 devoted to broadcasting HDTV.

DIRECTV claims that when the new satellite starts operating next year, it will boost the company’s high-definition capacity by 50 percent. With the added bandwidth from the new satellite, DIRECTV would be able to serve up over 200 national and 1,500 local HD channels. Consumers can expect to see expansions of DIRECTV Cinema and on-demand programming amongst other additions.

If you’re one of the many lucky people who got a new HDTV for the holidays this year, make sure you check out our post on how to get the most out of a new HDTV.