EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Challenging sports fans to the ultimate filmmaking match, DIRECTV, Inc., the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, and IFILM, a leading online destination featuring the largest library of professionally produced and user-generated content, launch the inaugural Sports Shorts Video Contest, an online amateur video competition designed to highlight the best game time passion, play or bloopers from viewers around the country.

Through Jan. 15, competitors can submit their homemade sports-video masterpiece to www.DIRECTV.com and www.IFILM.com/sportsshorts for a chance to win first place in one of three categories, as well as a Grand Prize trip to the big 2008 football game in Arizona. The winning video will not only appear on IFILM, but will also be featured on DIRECTV’s channel 101, which is available to all DIRECTV customers nationwide.

The contest features three different categories in which contestants can compete for top honors: Most Memorable Sports Moment, Most Hilarious Sports Blooper, and Most Passionate Sports Fan. These home videos of amateur athleticism can range from the buzzer-beating game winner at a high school tournament, to that crazy sports trick only you can master, or even a video demonstrating team pride. Entries may not contain any copyrighted footage or music. Each video can be up to seven minutes in length and will be open to viewer comment on DIRECTV.com and IFILM.com through Jan. 15. An independent panel will then choose first place winners in each category and a Grand Prize winner, which will be announced on Feb. 3, 2007.

“User-generated online content is very hot right now,” said Karen Leever, senior vice president, DIRECTV.com. “Teaming up with industry leader IFILM gives us a chance to tap into that market and showcase those moments of greatness we’ve all experienced both as athletes and spectators. It also gives our customers a chance to be truly immersed in our brand as their creations get airtime on DIRECTV with a viewing audience of 15.6 million strong.”

“We’ve been on the forefront of user-generated online content and we are thrilled to be teaming up with another industry pioneer like DIRECTV,” said Chris Dominguez, senior vice president, business development, IFILM. “Their subscriber base coupled with our online outreach will create one of the best and most expansive user-generated competitions ever.”

First prize winners in each category will receive a Samsung 42” Flat Screen TV along with a free year of DIRECTV TOTAL CHOICE® programming. Contestants will also be vying for a Grand Prize all-expense paid trip to the big 2008 game in Phoenix, Arizona.

IFILM is a leading aggregator and distributor of video online featuring programming from Hollywood studios, amateur filmmakers, and user-generated content. The site has the biggest library of short form entertainment video on the web and reaches more than 10 million users per month.

About DIRECTV, Inc.

DIRECTV, Inc., the nation’s leading satellite television service provider, presents the finest television experience available to more than 15.6 million customers through exclusive content, industry-leading customer service (which has surpassed cable for six years running) and superior technologies. Each day, DIRECTV subscribers enjoy over 250 channels of 100% digital picture and sound; exclusive programming and the most comprehensive collection of sports programming available anywhere including NFL SUNDAY TICKET™, and MLB EXTRA INNINGS™. DIRECTV (NYSE:DTV) also leads the digital television technology revolution with exclusives such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET SuperFan™, US Open Interactive and YES Network Interactive and will soon have the capacity to offer over 150 channels in HD. DIRECTV is approximately 39 percent owned by News Corporation. For the most up-to-date information on the Company, please visit directv.com.

About IFILM

IFILM (www.ifilm.com) is a leading online destination for user-generated and professionally produced content, providing the Internet's most diverse and compelling selection of short and long-form videos. With one of the industry's largest online video collections, IFILM's media library includes movie trailers, music videos, short films, TV clips, video game trailers, action sports content, and its renowned user-generated 'viral videos' collection. Through its broad network of distribution partners, IFILM content can be found on portals, social networks, blogs, consumer electronics devices, television networks, and almost every mobile video service. IFILM also offers effective brand-building programs for major consumer advertising partners. The company recently launched its first television series, the popular "WebJunk 20," in collaboration with VH1. IFILM is owned and operated by MTV Networks. IFILM (www.IFILM.com) is a division of Viacom, Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) MTV Networks.