Subscriber growth in the second quarter was below expectations for DirecTV. Reflecting tighter competition from Cable, DirecTV added 100,000 fewer customers in the second quarter than the same period in 2005. According to The Wall Street Journal, “DirecTV says one reason for the slowdown is that it has tightened credit policies to reduce the number of customers who defect or simply fail to pay. The company, and rival EchoStar Communications Corp., are also feeling pressure from cable companies that have lured customers by adding phone and Internet services.” EchoStar is also facing bad news that could erode its growth. The company may be forced to drop local network channels delivered to subscribers in other markets, a move that would affect slightly under a million of its 12.5 million customers.