NEW YORK CITY – Satellite TV subscriber satisfaction and retention are rising on the strength of expanding product offerings, customer service and reasonable pricing, according to a new study. In a survey of 1,500 satellite TV subscribers released here at SkyForum, the Taylor Research and Consulting Group found that 84 percent of subscribers indicated overall satisfaction with their service. That was up 5 percent from a similar survey in 2002. Key reasons for the increased satisfaction levels are improved programming, trouble-free installation, good value for the money and professional service, the study found.

Also at the SkyForum, Eddie Hartenstein, chairman and CEO of DirecTV, told attendees that consumers will benefit from the sale of Hughes Electronics [NYSE: GMH] to News Corp [NYSE: NWS] by adding satellite TV expertise from other platforms around the world and a committed new shareholder willing to invest in DireTV’s future growth. Hartenstein expects that News Corp will be willing to bring local channels to more satellite TV markets, which will require hundreds of millions of dollars in investment. News Corp will “not shy away from” investment, he said.

For more on the SkyForum, see the May 26 issue of SATELLITE NEWS. For information on subscriber to PBI Media‘s satellite newsletters, check out our Web site at http://www.telecomweb.com/catalog.