If you read between the lines it looks like they are adding some HBO and Cinemax channels. Why else would you need added channel spaces?
They'd better. A June of 2007 press release said by fall of 2007 they'd carry 11 HBO/MAX channels in HD. Many people forgot about this or don't care. As of today, March 18th, 2010, they still only have the flagship east and west of HBO and Max. 4 channels! This is not acceptable this day in age.
For a few months before I moved I had the luxury of having FIOS, with all 26 HBO/MAX channels in HD. Then I had to settle for just the four channels after I moved and found that I couldn't get FIOS. So it was back to just DirecTV.
I cannot wait until I can get away from DirecTV on the basis of having a horrible premium HD channel selection. It will certainly make things nicer if they give us more premiums in HD while I wait.
Aside from the premiums, I am generally happy with DirecTV's DVRs, channels, etc. But premium channels are make or break for me. Adding the channels they'd promised back in 2007 is a start in the right direction.