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                                                  April 1, 1999


      PRESS STATEMENT OF FCC CHAIRMAN WILLIAM E. KENNARD 
                        ON USSB/DIRECTV
                                
     I applaud today's decision to approve the acquisition of USSB's DBS authorizations by
DIRECTV.  This acquisition serves the public interest by promoting competition and giving
consumers more choices in video programming.  Yesterday's sunsetting of the cable rate
regulations makes it even more critical that we provide consumers with competitive alternatives to
cable in the video programming market. 

                                                                  - FCC -