New DIRECTV Blimp to Light up the Skies in 2014

NEW YORK --(Business Wire)--

Blimpologists will soon have a new, more advanced species to study as they scan the skies this spring. The DIRECTV blimp adorned with new, high-tech plumage - the world's only 2,100-square-foot LED Lightsign screen - began its annual tour March 1.

The new DIRECTV Blimp features the world's only 2,100-square-foot LED Lightsign screen. (Photo: Business Wire)

DIRECTV's aerial ambassador remains the only airship in the world equipped with this one-of-a-kind Lightsign technology featuring 4,200 LED boards and 235,200 LEDs. The new ship will have a GPS system and webcam to capture footage throughout the blimp's travels. The newly upgraded systems will allow the DIRECTV blimp to operate with greater daytime brightness and visibility.

"The DIRECTV blimp has been a prominent fixture at many of the nation's largest sporting events since 2007," said Jon Gieselman, SVP, Marketing and Advertising for DIRECTV. "But this new technology-rich airship will be a far more spectacular sight in the sky and is sure to stop people in their tracks as they look up at this amazing new sight."

The new DIRECTV blimp will also host various children's charities, providing patients a temporary break from serious medical conditions and a once-in-a-lifetime experience onboard the blimp.

"We've been hard at work for more than a year making this new DIRECTV blimp the most sophisticated, eye-popping aerial media platform anyone has ever seen," said Jhn Haegele, CEO, Van Wagner Airship Group. "We believe the new airship will make a statement about DIRECTV's technological excellence and unparalleled TV viewing experience as it travels to cities and major events across the U.S. throughout the year."

About DIRECTV

DIRECTV (NASDAQ: DTV) is one of the world's leading providers of digital television entertainment services, delivering a premium video experience through state-of-the-art technology, unmatched programming and industry-leading customer service to more than 37 million customers in the U.S. and Latin America. In the U.S., DIRECTV offers its 20 million customers access to more than 190 HD channels and Dolby-Digital® 5.1 theater-quality sound, access to exclusive sports programming such as NFL SUNDAY (News - Alert) TICKET™, Emmy-award winning technology and higher customer satisfaction than the leading cable companies for 13 years running. DIRECTV Latin America, through its subsidiaries and affiliated companies in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, and other Latin American countries, leads the pay TV category in technology, programming and service, delivering an unrivaled digital television experience to more than 17 million customers. DIRECTV sports and entertainment properties include two Regional Sports Networks (Rocky Mountain and Pittsburgh), and minority ownership interests in Root Sports Northwest and Game Show Network. For the most up-to-date information on DIRECTV, please visit www.directv.com.

About Van Wagner

Van Wagner Communications is a leading integrated media company with specialized expertise in the out-of-home advertising industry - from billboard and experiential, to aerial and in-venue sports marketing. With operations in New York, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami, sports properties in more than 40 states and blimps on four continents, Van Wagner serves world-class advertisers with unique advertising and branding opportunities the United States and internationally. For more information, visit www.vanwagneraerial.com, Like us on Facebook and follow @VanWagner on Twitter (News - Alert).