El Segundo-based DirecTV Group Inc. has begun receiving Thomson H20 set-top boxes for its high definition service expansion last week.

The firm plans to offer more than 1,500 local broadcast channels and more than 150 national channels in high definition by 2007. The distribution is part of a 2004 agreement between Thomson and DirecTV for the long-term development and supply of digital satellite set-top boxes.

DirecTV and Thomson officials will not disclose specific terms of last year’s deal or the number of units shipped, except to say the agreement is “long term.”

Anne Riley-Katz