Businessweek

DIRECTV provided earnings per share guidance for 2013. The company's guidance that it provided at Investor Day in December of 2010 remains intact as it forecasts earnings per share to be $5 or greater in 2013. Free cash flow will likely come in lower than 2012 levels due mostly to the higher taxes, the ongoing impact of the Venezuela devaluation and the higher interest payments.

DIRECTV announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the period, the company reported operating profit of $1,242 million, income before income taxes of $1,085 million, net income of $698 million and net income attributable to company of $690 million or $1.20 per diluted share on revenue of $7,580 million against operating profit of $1,308 million, income before income taxes of $1,157 million, net income of $741 million and net income attributable to company of $731 million or $1.07 per diluted share on revenue of $7,046 million a year ago period. The company's first quarter revenues increased 8% principally due to subscriber growth at DIRECTV Latin America (DTVLA) and DIRECTV U.S., as well as higher ARPU at DIRECTV U.S. Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,536 million against $1,763 million a year ago. Cash paid for property and equipment was $748 million against $753 million a year ago. Adjusted operating profit was $1,408 million against $1,308 million a year ago. Adjusted net income was $826 million against $731 million a year ago. Adjusted diluted EPS improves 34% to $1.43 from $1.07 a year ago. Free cash flow was $710 million against $952 million a year ago period.

DIRECTV announced that Volkswagen of America Inc. (VWoA) is "advertising smarter" by taking advantage of DIRECTV's recently launched, national addressable advertising platform. VWoA's deal with DIRECTV, which was fostered by GroupM and MediaCom, makes it the first automotive company in the compact/mid-size class to run an addressable TV ad campaign. This platform will allow VWoA to advertise directly to households who are in the market to purchase a new car.

DIRECTV, Q1 2013 Earnings Call, May 07, 2013

DOGTV announced a multi-year carriage agreement with DIRECTV. Pet parents across America will soon be able to comfort and sooth their beloved canine friends, as they leave for work, with DOGTV. The first and only television network for dogs, will provide content that is fully tailored to cater to dogs' specific senses and behavior, such as hearing, vision and day cycle. The carriage agreement will place DOGTV in all major U.S. cities, making it available to all DIRECTV households. The channel is expected to launch on DIRECTV in the third quarter of 2013. DOGTV will be offered as a premium subscription channel at a suggested monthly price of $5.99.