DIRECTV GROUP INC
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2004 WITH ROMULO PONTUAL
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<TYPE>EX-10.5
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<FILENAME>dex105.htm
<DESCRIPTION>EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2004 WITH ROMULO PONTUAL
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<TITLE>Employment Agreement effective January 1, 2004 with Romulo Pontual</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px" ALIGN="right"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"><B>EXHIBIT 10.5 </B></FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As of January 1, 2004 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mr. Romulo Pontual </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">840 Fenimore Road </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">Larchmont, NY 10538-1115 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Dear
Romulo: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This letter agreement (&#147;Agreement&#148;) provides
the terms of your employment with The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;). </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">1.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) The Company hereby employs you for a period of three years commencing as of January 1,2004 and ending on the third anniversary hereof (the &#147;Term&#148;).
</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) If you continue in the employ of the
Company after the end of the Term and an extension of your employment has not been negotiated, your employment shall be on an at-will basis at the weekly salary rate paid during your last regular pay period hereunder. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">2.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) For your services hereunder the Company will, on regular pay dates as then in effect under applicable Company policy, pay you a base salary of $700,000 for the first year of the
Term; $725,000 for the second year of the Term; and $750,000 for the third year of the Term. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) You shall also receive an annual bonus based on the achievement of certain targets established by the CEO of the Company pursuant to a cash bonus plan
(&#147;Cash Plan&#148;) for executive officers of the Company to be established with the approval of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company. If you achieve such targets, your annual bonus shall be no less than 50% of
your then current salary (the &#147;Target Bonus&#148;). You acknowledge that such Cash Plan is also subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company and no payments shall be made pursuant to such Cash Plan until and unless the Cash Plan shall
have been so approved. However, if such approval is not so obtained by December 31, 2004, the Company will provide you with alternative cash incentive compensation arrangements which would enable you to receive (if applicable targets are achieved)
the Target Bonus subject to approval of the Compensation Committee of the Company (or its designee) to such alternative compensation arrangements. </FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mr. Romulo Pontual </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As
of January 1, 2004 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"> Page
 2
 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) It is anticipated that the Company will adopt a stock incentive plan, which will provide for the
granting of equity awards including stock options, restricted stock or restricted stock units (such plan, if so adopted, is referred to as the &#147;Stock Plan&#148;). Subject to approval of the Stock Plan by the Compensation Committee and the Board
of Directors of the Company, you shall also receive equity compensation (e.g., options or restricted stock) consistent with grants to senior executives of a comparable level of the Company, and in any event such grant shall have a fair market value
at least equal to the most recent grant provided to you by News America Incorporated. You acknowledge that such Stock Plan is also subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company and no award shall vest or be exercisable, nor shall any
payments be made in respect thereof, until and unless the Stock Plan shall have been so approved. However, if such approval is not so obtained by December 31, 2004, the Company will provide you with alternative compensation arrangements in an amount
equal to the value referred to above, subject to approval of the Compensation Committee of the Company (or its designee) as to such alternative compensation arrangements. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d) You shall receive vacation and other perquisites and all other benefits generally commensurate with comparable
executives of the Company. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">3.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) You shall serve as Executive Vice President with a mutually agreed description of responsibility. You shall be based in New York, New York, subject to such travel as the
rendering of the services hereunder may require. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">(b) If you are elected a member of the Board of Directors or to any other office of the Company or any of its affiliates, you agree to serve in such capacity or capacities without additional compensation, unless additional compensation or
benefits are paid to comparable executives. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) You hereby
accept such employment and agree to devote your full time and attention as necessary to fulfill all of the duties of your employment hereunder. During the term of your employment, and for a period of twelve months thereafter (unless you are
terminated pursuant to Section 4 (d) below), you will not, in any manner directly or indirectly, engage in any business which competes with the Company or any of its affiliates and will not directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, join, control
or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be employed by, or connected in any manner with any corporation, firm or business that is so engaged. The foregoing does not prohibit you from owning less than five percent
(5%) of the outstanding common stock of any company whose shares are publicly traded. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">4.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in paragraph 1 (a) above, this Agreement may be terminated by the Company for cause if: </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(i) you are convicted of, or plead guilty or nolo contendere to a felony;
</FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mr. Romulo Pontual </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As
of January 1, 2004 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"> Page
 3
 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(ii) you engage in conduct that constitutes continued willful neglect or willful misconduct in
carrying out your duties under this Agreement, resulting, in either case, in economic harm to or damage to the reputation of the Company or any of its affiliates; or </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(iii) you breach any material affirmative or negative covenant or undertaking hereunder, which breach is not substantially
cured within fifteen days after written notice to you specifying such breach. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">If you are terminated for cause, you shall be entitled only to payment of your base salary and accrued vacation pay through the date of termination of your employment for cause. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) If your employment is terminated due to death, your
estate or beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to: </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">(i) payment of base salary through the date of termination; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">(ii) payment of the pro-rated portion of the annual bonus that you received for the fiscal year immediately preceding the date of termination (or Target Bonus, in the event of your death prior to January 1,2005); and </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(iii) other or additional benefits in accordance with applicable plans and
programs of the Company. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) If your employment is terminated
due to disability (as defined below), you shall be entitled to the following (but in no event less than the benefits due to you under the then current disability program of the Company): </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%; text-indent:4%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(i) payment of base salary through the date of termination; </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(ii) payment of the pro-rated portion of the annual bonus that you received
for the fiscal year immediately preceding the date of termination (or Target Bonus, in the event of your disability prior to January 1,2005); </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(iii) until the earlier of the end of such disability and the end of the Term, continued participation in medical, dental, hospitalization and life
insurance coverage and in all other employee plans and programs in which you were participating on the date of termination; and </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(iv) other or additional benefits in accordance with applicable plans and programs of the Company. </FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mr. Romulo Pontual </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As
of January 1, 2004 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"> Page
 4
 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">For purposes of this Agreement, &#147;disability&#148; shall mean your inability to substantially
perform your duties and responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of 120 consecutive days. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d) If the Company terminates you for any reason other than those defined in paragraphs 1 (a), (b) or (c) above, then you shall be entitled to:
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(i) payment of your then current base salary through the end
of the Term; </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(ii) payment of your pro rated Target Bonus for
the year in which you are terminated; and </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:13%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(iii) all other
benefits as would be called for under this Agreement had your employment not been terminated, until you receive coverage and benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer. </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">5.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(a) You agree to abide by the provisions of the Company&#146;s Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (receipt of which is hereby acknowledged) at all times during your employment by
the Company. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(b) You will not during the term
of your employment and for a period of two years thereafter, directly or indirectly, induce or attempt to induce any managerial, sales or supervising employee of the Company or its affiliates to render services to any other person, firm or
corporation. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(c) You acknowledge that the relationship
between the parties hereto is exclusively that of employer and employee and that the Company&#146;s obligations to you are exclusively contractual in nature. The Company shall be the sole owner of all the fruits and proceeds of your services
hereunder, including, but not limited to, all ideas, concepts, formats, suggestions, developments, arrangements, designs, packages, programs, promotions and other intellectual properties which you may create in connection with and during your term
of your employment hereunder, free and clear of any claims by you (or anyone claiming under you) of any kind or character whatsoever (other than your right to compensation hereunder). You shall, at the request of the Company, execute such
assignments, certificates or other instruments as the Company may from time to time deem necessary or desirable to evidence, establish, maintain, perfect, protect, enforce or defend its right, title and interest in or to any such properties.
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(d) All memoranda, notes, records and other documents made or
compiled by you, or made available to you during the term of this Agreement concerning the business of the Company or it affiliates shall be the Company&#146;s property and shall be delivered to the Company on the termination of this Agreement or at
any other time on request. You shall keep in confidence and shall not use for yourself or others, or divulge to others, any information concerning the business not publicly </FONT></P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mr. Romulo Pontual </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As
of January 1, 2004 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"> Page
 5
 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">available and which is obtained by you as a result of your employment, including but not limited to,
trade secrets or processes and information deemed by the Company to be proprietary in nature, unless disclosure is permitted by the Company or required by law. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(e) The Company shall have the right to use your name, biography and likeness in connection with its business, including in advertising its products
and services, and may grant this right to others, but not for use as a direct endorsement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:-6px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:8%"><FONT
FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">(f) The covenants set forth in sub paragraphs (b), (c) and (d) above shall survive the termination of this Agreement. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">6.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">The services to be furnished by you hereunder and the rights and privileges granted to the Company by you are of a special, unique, unusual, extraordinary, and intellectual
character which gives them a peculiar value, the loss of which cannot be reasonably or adequately compensated in damages in any action or law, and a breach by you of any of the provisions contained herein will cause the Company irreparable injury
and damage. You expressly agree that the Company shall be entitled to seek injunctive and other equitable relief, to prevent a breach of this Agreement by you. Resort to equitable relief however, shall not be construed as a waiver of any preceding
or succeeding breach of the same or any other term or provision. The various rights and remedies of the Company hereunder shall be construed to be cumulative and no one of them shall be exclusive to any other or of any other or of any right or
remedy allowed by law. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">7.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">In consideration of the making of the Agreement, as well as of the other consideration stated herein, you expressly agree that if you continue in the employ of the Company after the
end of this Agreement, your employment shall be at-will and shall otherwise be in accordance with the provisions of such then existing Company policies as may then be in effect applicable to comparable executives of the Company.
</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">8.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of New York applicable to contracts performed entirely therein. </FONT></TD></TR></TABLE> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
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<TD WIDTH="4%"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">9.</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and general assigns of the Company and to the benefit of any other corporation or entity which is a parent, subsidiary or
affiliate of the Company to which this Agreement is assigned, and any other corporation or entity into which the Company may be merged or with which it may be consolidated. Except as herein provided, this Agreement shall be nonassignable.
</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Mr. Romulo Pontual </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">As
of January 1, 2004 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2"> Page
 6
 </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P>
 <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:54%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Sincerely, </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:54%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC. </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT
SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:54%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;/s/ Chase Carey </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:54%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2"><U>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</U> </FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:54%; text-indent:-2%"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Title: President and Chief Executive Officer
</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">THE FOREGOING IS AGREED TO: </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman"
SIZE="2">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Romulo Pontual </FONT></P><HR WIDTH="33%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Romulo Pontual </FONT></P> <P
STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT SIZE="1">&nbsp;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">March 16, 2004
</FONT></P><HR WIDTH="33%" SIZE="1" NOSHADE COLOR="#000000" ALIGN="left"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0px;margin-bottom:0px"><FONT FACE="Times New Roman" SIZE="2">Date </FONT></P>
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