Direct-to-home satellite television service provider DirecTV Inc. [DTV] inked a deal with LIN TV Corp. [TVL] to be the exclusive satellite distributor WAPA-America, a Puerto Rico-based network for news, movies and original programming. The exclusive contract runs through Jan. 31, 2006, and programming will be available to all DirecTV “Para Todos” customers at no additional charge.

Exclusive deals like this one are the cornerstone to attracting potential subscribers to DirecTV service in particular and in continuing to draw subscribers from traditional cable services in general. DirecTV has forged exclusive arrangements in the past with great success, namely its deal with the National Football League (NFL) for the exclusive broadcast rights of NFL football games over its “NFL Sunday Ticket” premium package.