When DirecTV announced that they would be adding 100 new HD channels to their programming line-up this year I nearly jumped out of my seat. Having just purchased my first HDTV I’m pretty psyched about any new little tidbit of programming that I can get. The Discovery Channel is nice, but I need a little more variety.

However, an explosion at the Sea Launch platform may delay these new channels coming to a DirecTV dish near you.

The explosion did not involve the launch of a DirecTV satellite and, thankfully, no one seems to have been hurt in the explosion. However, DirecTV 11, one of the new satellites slated to offer these new HD channels, is scheduled to launch from this same platform this summer.

DirecTV 10, the second satellite, is slated for a land launch and should not be affected by the explosion. It remains to be seen if there will be a delay in launching DirecTV11.

There is another incident on record at this platform in March of 2000 with a successful launch following in July 2000. Hopefully, the repairs and review of the launcher will be done in time for the scheduled launch.

Read [DBSTalk]