Hurricane Katrina: DirecTV Mixes Satellite, SMS and Internet In Relief Effort

DirecTV’s response to Hurricane Katrina mixes satellite, internet and mobile phones: the company has designated channel 100 as the Katrina Information Center, a central point for updates, government info,viewer messages and how to help notices. Messages can be sent by e-mail to katrina@directv.com or by text message to text code “48433.” The DirecTV web site hosts a searchable PDF transcript of all scrolling messages that can be printed or saved. The site also includes a Red Cross donation link. The company is working with agencies to provide DirecTV to shelters.
I found out about it tonight when clicking on the program guide brought up a message about the new channel. This may be the single, best thing News Corp. has done since acquiring majority ownership of DirecTV. Press release.

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