The DirecTV Group has elected Haim Saban, chairman and CEO of Saban Capital Group Inc., to its board of directors. The appointment is effective immediately and boosts DirecTV’s board to 11 members.

“Haim is a highly respected international businessman and his breadth of experience in building and overseeing successful media and entertainment companies will serve our board and The DirecTV Group shareholders well,” Rupert Murdoch, chairman of The DirecTV Group said in a statement.

In addition to his position at Saban Capital, Saban currently serves as chairman of the supervisory board of the German broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 Media AG and is a member of the board of directors of French broadcaster Télévision Francaise 1.

In other DirecTV personnel news, the company reported in a Form 8-K filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that retiring vice chairman Eddy Hartenstein will get $12 million to settle his rights to an annual bonus for 2004 and other reimbursements.