Directv

Hughes Network Systems said yesterday that it is offering a first-of-its-kind service that transmits news, videos, software and other data directly from a satellite to personal computers about 40 times faster than over conventional phone lines.The Germantown-based company, a unit of General Motors-owned Hughes Electronics Corp., also announced that it has reached agreements with CNN, Reuters and other companies to provide news, sports and stock information as part of a basic subscription to the service.

The TV Repairman:Army opposes Navy on the gridiron tomorrow at noon on ABC. Absolutely no excused absences allowed. Of regional interest later on is Florida vs. Alabama for the SEC championship at 3:30 p.m.Figure Brent Musburger will be working the fracas in Philadelphia, ol' home folks Keith Jackson the possum roundup down South. But don't let it ruin your day, you hear?* There are 11 basketball games on network and cable between 1 p.m. and midnight tomorrow at least worthy of the designation "first- and second-round action, NCAA tournament:" CBS has Duke-Illinois at 1, Arkansas-Missouri at 3. NBC has top-ranked Massachusetts-Kansas at 1, Kentucky-UCLA at 3:30.