Edited Press Release

PARIS -(Dow Jones)- - DIRECTV Group Inc. (DTV), the a US-based satellite television service provider, has placed an order, valued at nearly $8 million from French media and equipment company Thomson (18453.FR) for new Grass Valley MPEG-2 compression equipment. The purchase is designed to significantly expand the capabilities of DIRECTV's broadcast complex.

DIRECTV first turned to Grass Valley and the ViBE platform in 2003 to expand its local-into-local service. It placed additional orders earlier this year.

  (END) Dow Jones Newswires
  11-13-06 0522ET
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