DIRECTV Announces Partnership With Richard Childress Racing; Nation's Leading Digital TV Service to Sponsor No. 07 Car and NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rookie Driver, Clint Bowyer

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--Feb. 1, 20060, 2006--NASCAR partner DIRECTV has announced an official partnership with Richard Childress Racing (RCR), one of NASCAR's premier racing teams. Through the partnership, DIRECTV will be an associate sponsor of the No. 07 Jack Daniel's Chevrolet and its driver, Clint Bowyer, during the 2006 Nextel Cup Series season. The association with RCR aligns DIRECTV with one of the sport's most well-respected racing programs and one of the sport's most exciting young drivers.

DIRECTV also will be primary sponsor of the No. 07 Chevrolet at three NASCAR Nextel Cup Series races this season at Martinsville (April 2), Pocono (June 11) and Talladega (October 8).

As the nation's leading digital TV service, DIRECTV has a long history with NASCAR, though this announcement marks the company's first official sponsorship of a Nextel Cup team. The service has become an integral part of the sport by providing millions of fans the opportunity for the most enhanced, unique NASCAR viewing experience at home and trackside. DIRECTV has also become a critical piece of racing equipment for crew chiefs, as teams up and down pit road rely on the digital picture and sound to aid spotters and monitor car performance throughout the entire race.

"We are proud to be a part of the RCR team and extremely excited to begin our relationship with Clint," said, Jon Gieselman, senior vice president of Advertising and Public Relations, DIRECTV, Inc. "By partnering with both NASCAR and RCR, we will bring the superior qualities of DIRECTV to fans and the entire racing community."

"It's great to be associated with DIRECTV," said Richard Childress, president and CEO of RCR. "DIRECTV has one of the hottest properties on the market and it's really a privilege for me, along with Clint Bowyer, to be spokespersons for such a great company. All of our teams depend on DIRECTV at the track so we can see practice, qualifying and the live race broadcast directly from pit road. DIRECTV not only provides us with great entertainment value away from the racetrack, it's also an exceptionally valuable tool for the entire NASCAR industry while we're there."

The partnership with RCR and Clint Bowyer will enable DIRECTV to create consumer marketing and retail promotions targeting NASCAR's loyal fan base. In addition, the relationship will provide DIRECTV the opportunity to increase awareness of its new DIRECTV Plus (R) DVR among race fans and emphasize current and future features that will enhance their race viewing experience.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc. is the nation's leading digital television service provider with more than 15 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment. DIRECTV is approximately 34 percent owned by News Corporation. DIRECTV is the official satellite television service provider of NASCAR.

About Richard Childress Racing

(RCR) has earned more than 130 victories and nine NASCAR championships, including six in the Nextel Cup Series with the legendary Dale Earnhardt. It was the first organization to win championships in the Nextel Cup Series, Busch Series and Truck Series. Its 2006 Nextel Cup Series lineup includes Clint Bowyer (No. 07 Jack Daniel's), Kevin Harvick (No. 29 GM Goodwrench/Reese's) and Jeff Burton (No. 31 Cingular Wireless). Its Busch Series lineup includes Bowyer (No. 2 ACDelco), and Harvick and Burton (No. 21 Coast Guard).