Satellite TV giant DirecTV will allow customers access to the Philip Seymour Hoffman film Pirate Radio more than 30 days before the film’s DVD release by Universal.

Pirate Radio was released in 1080p high definition at $5.99 or standard definition for $4.99 via its video-on-demand service beginning yesterday.

“DirecTV Cinema strives to deliver the highest-quality movie experience by offering unique content that is above-and-beyond what consumers find on the usual pay-per-view platform,” said Sarah Lyons, vice president of Marketing for DirecTV. “DirecTV is thrilled to continue raising the bar with Pirate Radio, by offering it to our customers more than a month before the film’s DVD release. We will continue to deliver an unmatched in-home movie experience that can only be found on DirecTV.”

Pirate Radio tells the true story of a band of rogue radio DJs that captivated Britain in the 1960s, blasting rock and pop music from a boat off-shore in direct defiance of the government. Dubbed ‘pirate radio,’ the non-stop underground broadcast reached nearly half the “UK’s population and helped deliver the music that has defined a generation.”

The movie hits shelves on April 13. Along with Hoffman, the movie stars Bill Nighy, Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson. It is written and directed by Richard Curtis.

Allowing subscribers access to a film nearly a month early is common for smaller movies like Pirate Radio, which do not get the traffic during theatrical runs like mainstream fare. Last week, DirecTV took an unusual step by providing their customers free bonus content with the video-on-demand purchase of The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Both programs offered for New Moon are not available on DVD or Blu-ray. Customers will get Chris Weitz Take the Helm, which features the New Moon director taking the reins of the series from Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke along with The Subtle Details, a feature that provides a behind-the-scenes look at New Moon’s production design, costumes and sets.

There are many outstanding features that DirecTV has included in with its Plus HD DVR. Each of these helps to make this one of the most appealing units on the market today. You will get two tuners that will allow you to access HD and SD programming.

With the press of a button you can get the scores to all major sports games without ever leaving the channel you are on. You will also enjoy other interactive features offered through DirecTV Active. You can view everything from your horoscope to the weather and even check lottery results.

The DVR function allows you to both pause and rewind live TV for up to a full ninety minutes. You can check out an instant replay and even play things in slow motion. You will even be able make thirty second jumps ahead allowing you to check out the show you have recorded.

With the ability to record with a simple touch, manually record and even auto record you will not miss your favorite shows ever again. You will even be able to watch a previously recorded show while recording two others at the same time. You can even link episodes of the same show together allowing you to record a full season!

The system can work with your local phone provider to help you view and log calls from your TV. You can also take advantage of the parental controls/locks to ensure peace of mind. With the advanced program guide you will be able to see what is coming on up to 14 days out.

The best thing about the DirecTV Plus HD DVR is that you can connect an external hard drive which will give you even more recording space. With plenty of audio and video outputs you will find that this is one outstanding DVR.

In an increasingly difficult market, satellite television provider DirecTV is finding that it is being challenged by the ever growing costs of programming.

But who isn’t, right?

The subject of a dispute between Cablevision and ABC came up recently at the Credit Suisse Global Media & Communications Convergence Conference which was held in Palm Beach, Florida. When questioned about the dispute senior VP of Financial Planning Jon Rubin stated that because of higher fees being expected by programming providers the company was having to take a long hard look at dropping some of those channels and/or changing channel lineups.

While the dispute did carry over until just after the beginning of the Oscars on Sunday, Cablevision viewers finally were able to receive the broadcast. The trouble comes in when the costs of programming rise and these are not passed on to consumers in turn. Most consumers feel that they pay too much for the programming they receive. Raising prices at this point could turn DirecTV customers against providers in a heartbeat.

With profit margins taking a dive and an economy that is leading consumers to worry more about essentials and less about entertainment, it is no wonder as to why investors remain somewhat apprehensive about the future of the company’s stocks. When questioned on the potential for growth in 2010, Rubin seemed to be quite optimistic even with the tough competition the company is currently facing.

Another subject that came up during the conference concerned the future prospects for 3D programming going mainstream. According to Rubin, the 3D programming planned for release this year, which includes select movies and possibly some sports as well, may not pick up a great deal of popularity during its initial release. He did feel, however, that it would eventually become mainstream and certainly fit right into DirecTV’s business model.

Satellite TV provider DirecTV is getting all hot and bothered for the March 20 midnight release of The Twilight Saga: New Moon. The industry leader will offer special bonus material through its video-on-demand service to coincide with the release of the Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart film, which is new territory for the company. Normally, cable and satellite television providers never offer bonus material alongside a film because, well, it’s normally lame and people who order pay-per-view movies are usually not interested in such fare. That’s not the case for the hotly anticipated release of the Twilight sequel.

Where there’s Twilight, there’s cold hard cash.

“DirecTV Cinema’s goal is to provide customers with the ultimate in-home movie experience they can’t find anywhere else,” said Sarah Lyons, vice president, Upgrade Marketing, DirecTV. “We are thrilled to not only offer The Twilight Saga: New Moon in 1080p HD but to also give our customers a deeper look at what went into making the film.”

New Moon earned nearly $300 million at the U.S. box office and opened with an astounding $142 million. Its release on DVD and Blu-ray is expected to smash 2010 records…or suck the life out of them (pun!) depending on your view of the franchise.

DirecTV has more than 18 million subscribers. The company charges $5.99 for 1080 high-definition pay-per-view movies and $4.99 for standard definition. Those who purchase either the HD or SD version of New Moon will have free access to the two special features offered.

Customers will get Chris Weitz Take the Helm, which features the New Moon director taking the reigns of the series from Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke along with The Subtle Details, a feature that provides a behind-the-scenes look at New Moon’s production design, costumes and sets.

Both features will not be available on the DVD/Blu-ray release and are really meant for hardcore fans.

DirecTV is also offering Twilight in Forks for $5.99 HD or $4.99 SD. The documentary explores the Pacific Northwest town that inspired the hit franchise, which is also included on the DVD/Blu-ray release.

California-based U.S. satellite TV giant DirecTV, sold $3 billion of 5-, 10- and 30-year notes, according to a report from Bloomberg earlier this week.

DirecTV offered $1.2 billion of 3.55 percent five-year notes which yield 120 basis points more than similar-maturity Treasuries, $1.3 billion of 5.2 percent 10-year debt that pays 150 basis points more than benchmarks, and $500 million of 6.35 percent 30-year obligations at a 167 basis-point spread according to Bloomberg.

For those interested, a basis point is 0.01 percentage point.

This is the first time DirecTV has issued corporate bonds says Bloomberg. The company may use some of the proceeds for a $3.5 billion share buyback aimed by the end of the year.

“We do think we are vastly undervalued,” said Jon Rubin, senior vice president of financial planning, in a March 8 conference call. “When we look at the expected growth rates for our business compared to others, you can see that in just about every category DirecTV is growing faster or is expected to grow faster than most of our competitors.”

Standard & Poor’s said Monday it affirmed all ratings, including the “BBB-” corporate credit rating for DirecTV.

The ratings firm also stated it assigned a “BBB-” rating to DirecTV Holdings LLC’s and DirecTV Financing Co.’s proposed senior unsecured notes due 2015, senior unsecured notes due 2020, and senior unsecured notes due 2040.

The company’s shares closed at $34.78, down 17 cents, in New York Stock Exchange composite trading on Monday.

The three part debt is rated Baa3 by Moody’s Investors Service and BBB- by Standard & Poor’s.

DirecTV offers service to more than 14 million subscribers in the continental US as well as the one million plus subscribers in Latin America. It remains the top ranking consumer satellite provider and continues to expand its offerings through high-definition and special interest packages such as NFL Sunday Ticket and Mobile programming.

Perhaps one of the most sought after technologies available to television viewers today has also become one of the most contentious pieces as well. DVR technology was developed by a small company named TiVo back in 1999. When it was first attempting to market its new design TiVo took a prototype to Dish Network.

The story goes that Dish actually kept the prototype and integrated that technology into a DVR system of its own. This technology which allows television users to both store and retrieve videos in a digital format has since become wildly popular. It has become so popular in fact that many people equate the name of the company, TiVo, with the equipment itself. People will ask if another is going to “TiVo” a show.

In 2004 TiVo decided to take Dish Network to court for patent infringement due to the similarities of the Dish technology to its own. TiVo won the case as well as the subsequent appeal filed by Dish in district court. TiVo was paid $104 million by Dish to cover both damages and interest for the duration that it had made use of the suspect technology.

The court also barred Dish from using the TiVo-based technology on any of its equipment both existing and future. Immediately following this loss Dish Network attempted a design-around that would not violate TiVo’s patent. The U.S. District Court in Marshall Texas, however, felt that the new design was not acceptable and ordered an additional $103 million be awarded as well as $200 million for sanctions covering its contempt of the cease-and-desist order.

Dish continues to appeal, believing that eventually the court of appeals will yield an acceptable verdict. It also continues to try to develop a design-around that the courts, and TiVo, will accept. TiVo has stated that it will continue to seek damages as long as its technology is being used by Dish Network.

There is no question as to the toll that the direct rivalry between DirecTV and its nemesis Dish Network is continuing to take on the company’s stocks. With discounts of up to 50% on certain packages the returns continue to take hit after hit. Much of the problem seems to be coming, not only from the stiff competition DirecTV faces from Dish, but also from the growing churn rate that the company faces.

A company’s churn rate is the rate at which the company loses relatively new subscribers. Many different factors including a poor economy and consumer reluctance at paying higher subscription fees are both playing into the increase in the churn rate that DirecTV is currently experiencing.

The increasing competition between the two companies has led to a complete change in the way the industry is viewed. In the past DirecTV concentrated its marketing on sports and HD programming as well as its DVR technology. Now the emphasis is being placed on the many available programming packages from which customers may choose.

While it has assisted Dish in providing a great deal more in the way of competition, it has also assisted DirecTV in realizing profits that might have otherwise been lost in this volatile economy. In a direct attack against DirecTV, its rival Dish released commercials that made alleged false claims. The matter has finally gone to court; however, the damage has been done.

Consumers are now taking a long hard look at the pricing structures being offered by both companies. This is where DirecTV is excelling. With the company’s ability to offer super low discounts it is not hard to see why both company’s bottom lines are rapidly coming into sight.

Where will it end? That is perhaps the biggest question. With Dish still offering a good deal of stiff competition it will be interesting to see how far DirecTV is willing to take this price war.

In a recent chat with investors, new DirecTV CEO Michael White, a former Pepsi executive who joined the company on Jan 1., laid out his vision for the satellite leader after a fourth quarter loss after absorbing certain entertainment assets spun off by Liberty Media Corp.

White was asked if he was looking at the business in terms of balancing revenue growth or free cash flow and earnings.

“I’m frankly more interested in how we create passionate loyalty out of our consumers for life, than necessarily chasing lower quality (subscribers),” says White. “We recognize the industry has gotten a bit more competitive in the last six months and we are fine-tuning our own strategies accordingly.”

White added: “But at the same time I think DirecTV has been very good about trying to consciously manage and strike the appropriate balance … to ensure we continue to deliver strong cash flow to our shareholders.

“So I guess my view is I think it’s a bit of both, unfortunately. We’ve got to both be competitive but at the same time I think it doesn’t do anybody any good to chase poor quality (subscribers), and I think it’s that delicate balance that, if you will, we will continue to strike as we head into this year.”

DirecTV added 119,000 subscribers in the United States during its fourth quarter loss, which is less than the 301,000 it added in the period a year earlier.

Kaufman Bros analyst Todd Mitchell forecasted that DirecTV would add 200,000 subscribers.

The television provider also announced a new share buyback of $3.5 billion as its free cash flow grew 40 percent to $2.4 billion.

“The thesis for owning DirecTV shares is they would decelerate sub growth, accelerate free cash flow growth leading to an equity shrink and that’s what they’ve done,” said Mitchell.

“DirecTV will try balancing giving discounts to win subscribers from cable rivals while maintaining its premium brand image in a market that has become even more competitive,” said  White.

Many of the winners at Saturday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards seemed very familiar. That’s probably because most of them won a Golden Globe just one week earlier.

For starters, Jeff Bridges won the Screen Actors Guild award for best actor for his role as an aging musician in Crazy Heart while Sandra Bullock won the SAG award for best actress for her portrayal of the real-life adoptive mother of a young man who goes on to become an NFL player in The Blind Side. And you guessed it, they both won the best actor and actress honors at the Golden Globes for just a week earlier.

In the best supporting actor and actress categories, Christopher Waltz repeated his Golden Globe win with a SAG for  his role as a Nazi in Inglourious Basterds. While Mo’Nique’s portrayal of an abusive mother in Precious earned her a SAG and Golden Globe as well.

The Globe for best actor in a TV drama went to Michael C Hall of Dexter as did the SAG in the same category. Julianna Margulies won best actress in a drama honors at both awards ceremonies for her hit series The Good Wife as well.

Kevin Bacon won both a SAG and Golden Globe for best actor in a TV movie or miniseries for the HBO drama Taking Chance while Drew Barrymore won for best actress in TV movie or miniseries for Grey Gardens.

Alec Baldwin of 30 Rock was also a double winner for best actor in a comedy series.

And finally, Glee and Mad Men also received a SAG and a Golden Globe for best comedy series/cast and best drama/cast respectively.

It appears that the partnership between NBC and DirecTV has proven beneficial to everyone involved. Last year the two companies agreed on a deal where DirecTV would air the third season of Friday Night Lights in the fall, with NBC repeating the episodes starting in January 2009.

This week it was officially announced that the partnership will continue for at least two more years. Friday Night Lights was renewed for two additional 13 episode seasons, to be aired in the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 TV seasons. Like this season, DirecTV will get the first-run rights with NBC to air the episodes at a later date.

The NBC/DirecTV partnership could signal a new way to save critically acclaimed but low-rated series. Friday Night Lights struggled in the Nielsens for its first two seasons and looked headed for cancellation before the deal was struck. With the arrangement, NBC shares the production costs with DirecTV, DirecTV builds their reputation with original programming, and fans are happy to see their show continue. Everyone wins.

Although nothing has been reported regarding similar deals, NBC may possibly use the success of this model to save other low-rated but beloved and acclaimed shows, such as Chuck or Life. Furthermore, DirecTV, an independent satellite broadcaster, is not owned by NBC Universal, which means it could make similar arrangements with other networks.