DIRECTV Celebrates Easter Across the Country with SONGS of PRAISE Hosted by Darrell Waltrip and Nicole C. Mullen

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading digital television serviceprovider, is celebrating Easter across the country with its exclusiveoriginal programming special, SONGS of PRAISE, hosted by NASCAR legendDarrell Waltrip and Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning vocalistNicole C. Mullen. Premiering Good Friday, April 14, and runningthroughout Easter weekend, this DIRECTV musical event takes viewers ona journey through the story of Easter with performances frominspirational choirs across the country, as well as specialappearances from contemporary Christian artists, includingGrammy-award winners Kirk Franklin and Michael W. Smith, and Point ofGrace and Rachel Lampa, who will be sharing scripture and specialEaster memories.

Choirs and artists scheduled to perform throughout SONGS of PRAISEinclude the Brentwood Baptist Choir, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir,Chicago Mass Choir, Coral Ridge Choir, Crystal Cathedral, KirkFranklin, McGregor Baptist Choir, Michael W. Smith, Nicole C. Mullen,The Potters House Mass Choir, Prestonwood Baptist Choir, St. OlafCollege Choir and more.

"SONGS of PRAISE will be one of the biggest Easter celebrations ontelevision, with performances from the country's most inspirationalchoirs and contemporary Christian artists -- available exclusively toDIRECTV customers," said David Hill, president, DIRECTV Entertainment."This is DIRECTV's first foray into original religious programming andwe look forward to providing even more content like this to our morethan 15 million customers across the country."

As the first in a series of more original religious programming tocome from DIRECTV, SONGS of PRAISE will premiere at 6 a.m.ET/3 a.m. PTon DIRECTV channel 103 beginning on Friday, April 14, continuing withback to back airings throughout Easter Weekend. This Easter special,which is available to DIRECTV customers at no additional cost, is partof DIRECTV's original programming lineup, which also includes CD USA,an exclusive weekly music series that DIRECTV launched in January.

"I am really looking forward to this show," said Waltrip. "It hasa lot of merit and potential. I think this show is much needed and amthrilled that David Hill and DIRECTV have asked me to be part of it."In addition to his role as a broadcast analyst for Fox Sports, Waltripis also chairman of MRO -- the Motor Sports Christian Outreachprogram, which holds chapel services each week at NASCAR races.

Added co-host Nicole C. Mullen, "As a recording artist and asubscriber to DIRECTV, I am doubly honored and excited to be a part ofsuch a wonderful program. SONGS OF PRAISE is an excellent way forpeople to find and be reminded of the hope, joy and love that thisEaster celebration brings."

SONGS of PRAISE is produced by DIRECTV Original Entertainment inconjunction with Propeller Consulting, Triplehorse Entertainment andIndelible Creative Group for broadcast exclusively on DIRECTV.Customers subscribing to any DIRECTV TOTAL CHOICE(R) or SELECCIONprogramming package will have access to SONGS OF PRAISE at noadditional cost.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc. is the nation's leading digital television serviceprovider with more than 15 million customers. DIRECTV, TOTAL CHOICE,SELECCION and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks ofDIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV (NYSE: DTV) is a world-leading provider ofdigital multichannel television entertainment services. DIRECTV isapproximately 37 percent owned by News Corporation.