Local Channelas On DISH

[seanmc1114]

For what it's worth, I just had a Satellite's Unlimited installer out at my house today fixing a problem and he told me that DISH has just reached an agreement to offer the Columbus local channels within about three months.

[supermale]

I wouldn't get your hopes up. While he may be right (and I hope so, since that would effectively force DirecTV to do the same), I've heard the same "in the next few months" statements for a couple of years. E* hinted that it intended to add the Columbus market with its last satellite launch, but never promised it outright. However, the launch didn't go well, and they declared the satellite dead in April, with no replacement schedule announced. Both services claim lack of satellite capacity is what is keeping them from offering the Columbus market (although that explanation will vary, depending on who's answering the question).

So, in essence, cross your fingers, but don't bet the farm on it.

[Scott]

With the new satellites going up for dish and directv, I'd be surprised if both don't offer locals for columbus within a year. But not holding my breath either.

At any rate, it shouldn't really matter to too many people around here, the local channels all pump such a strong signal you'll get more channels and probably a slightly better picture quality with an antenna. Even if Directv did offer locals, I'd keep up my antenna until Directv could carry all of the local channels and their sub channels, which may never happen.

[supermale]

You'll see the subs on cable long before you see them on the dish. Should they ever offer locals, I'll keep my antenna as well, as it would be nice for WTVM not to pixel out every 10 minutes. [/complain]

I don't know what DirecTV has in store for their latest satellite, but as I said above, Dish Network's last satellite failed to reach its correct position, and the company has declared it lost.

[crepehanger]

I have heard from a reliable source with a local station that Columbus was originally going to be on the April satellite that had the botched launch. He told me that he had talked with Echostar two weeks ago, and they told him that another satellite was launching in July, and that Columbus would be offered by October.

[cofin]

This is my first post to this message board, and I am a but unsure how active it currently is.

For what it is worth. Dish Network just announced their local channel roll outs for the Summer/Fall. Unfortunately, Columbus is not on this list. Check it out here: www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2008/06/dish_network_increases_hd_local_market_coverage_and_announces_summer_and_fall_launch_plans.php

But, ironically, I have heard the same news that you (from a not-so-reliable source at Best Buy). She stated that Columbus locals would be included in the DirecTV-11 satellite that has yet to go live.

I currently live in Auburn, and it is a uphill battle to get OTA signals from Columbus. So, I am interested to know if you have any more details from your source. Anything else you know would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Cody

[zedsdead]

I attended a meeting today where the guest speaker was the general manager of WLTZ. He said that Dish came down a couple of months ago and talked to him about Dish carrying local channels. He said they told him that the launch of their satellite in July would enable them to carry the Columbus market 2 months after launch. He said the launch was successful so we will see if they were telling the truth. He was asked about Direct TV and local channels and he says that he cannot ever get anyone to return his calls at Direct TV. He says that Direct TV seems to be really arrogant.

Maybe there is hope for Dish by this fall.

[Alan Gordon]

Jul 23, 2008 19:27:34 GMT -5 zedsdead said:

I attended a meeting today where the guest speaker was the general manager of WLTZ. He said that Dish came down a couple of months ago and talked to him about Dish carrying local channels. He said they told him that the launch of their satellite in July would enable them to carry the Columbus market 2 months after launch. He said the launch was successful so we will see if they were telling the truth. He was asked about Direct TV and local channels and he says that he cannot ever get anyone to return his calls at Direct TV. He says that Direct TV seems to be really arrogant.

The above just kind of ticks me off!

Now, I'm not going to get into an argument over which satellite company is better, because, quite frankly, what's better to one person isn't to another. For instance, if I were to get a comparable setup with Dish as I do with DirecTV, I'd be paying a MUCH higher bill per month than I do now. I also know some other people whose setup/package with Dish is considerably lower than it would be with DirecTV. HOWEVER, as far as companies go, he's stereotyping! Years ago, I probably would have agreed that Dish was the more humble of the companies, but I don't think that can be said anymore. Not that I'm saying that DirecTV is more humble, just that I would put them on even ground.

Also, I'm not really sure I understand what the guy from WTLZ is even saying... as that's not generally how things work:

A satellite company looks at several things to determine what markets to serve with LIL (local channels). DMA size (Columbus is DMA #128), number of customers in that DMA, competition (cable, generally speaking), average income (some smaller markets with wealthier populations tend to get priority), companies involved (WTVM/Raycom, etc.), spot beam location, spot beam capacity, coercion (FCC mandating that Alaska and Hawaii get full 100% LIL coverage), etc. For HD-LIL, they have a tendency to look at the amount of HD customers as well.

Once a satellite company CHOOSES to offer a DMA's local channels, the satellite company contacts the parent companies. I'll use WTVM's parent company of Raycom for this example. Raycom Media is a good sized TV company, and as such, a satellite company has had MANY dealing with them. They then negotiate a deal as the satellite company in question WANTS to get AT LEAST all four (4) of the main networks... with the others secondary. The companies know this so they want to get PAID for it... generally so much for each subscriber... though I believe I've read reports of some companies trying to get other stations (in other DMAs) offered to (that respective DMA area's) customers.

Once an agreement is in place, several possible things happen. Sometimes the station is informed by the parent company that it is to be offered via (insert satellite company here) right away, and other times not. I've heard of some instances in which the station actually found out the week or two before, or from another station first. The people from the satellite companies then determine the best way to get said signal (usually using an antenna) and the best place to put their equipment up. DirecTV (given their previous relationship with Fox) often used FOX affiliates to keep the majority of their equipment at, but I have heard of other businesses and such doing it... and I'm not really sure if Dish has any preferences. The satellite companies then uplink (and test) the channels a week or so before offering them to customers... and sometimes, the channels don't make the cut. Both WVAG (now WSWG) and WSST from the Albany, GA DMA were uplinked along with the rest of the Albany channels at first, but never offered to customers. Later, once WVAG changed to WSWG, switched to a CBS affiliate and Dish lost the right to offer WCTV to the Albany market, they started offering it. WSST was later uplinked again, but has yet to be offered to customers.

I've also heard of instances in which a satco (satellite company) felt that things were a done deal (in negotiations) and went ahead and put the equipment in place before things were done. I've also heard (in some instances) of the satcos installing the equipment LONG before hand. For instance, some DMAs have had HD uplink equipment installed since late last year for DirecTV (as well as some earlier this year, like Tallahassee, FL).

I'm rambling as I've heard many different stories, and many differences, but I don't think what he said has anything to do with arrogance as his experiences have been something of a unique situation as the satcos mainly deal with the parent companies until such a time as they are ready to offer local channels... and they sometimes only deal with one local station until such a time as the signals are uplinked (the stations are then given a number to call in case of problems with the signal, etc).

Our local NBC affiliate, WALB has contacted DirecTV several times over the years and been told that they didn't have room for them. Something that I'm hoping will change now that D11 (DirecTV's newest satellite) is now in position and testing channels (which should be available no later than next Wednesday!) and a DirecTV employee has stated that it will offer MANY new HD-LILs and some new SD-LILs as well.

Either way, good news for you Dish Network folks in Columbus!

~Alan

[zedsdead]

Sorry Alan, I did not know this would strike a cord on this subject. I think his point was that WLTZ could not get much cooperation with Direct TV. He never said it was a bad company. For the life of me I don't know why the general manager of WLTZ would want to make up a story about Dish telling him they would be carrying local chanels in Columbus soon.

[Scott]

Jul 25, 2008 21:03:29 GMT -5 zedsdead said:

For the life of me I don't know why the general manager of WLTZ would want to make up a story about Dish telling him they would be carrying local chanels in Columbus soon.

For the life of me, I can't understand why WLTZ would run outsourced news. Seriously, have you guys watched that garbage? Who cares if it's in HD, it's not local, it's impersonal, and it's complete crap. That decision alone should make everybody question the new management at WLTZ. I would take anything the WLTZ management says with a grain of salt, they obviously have bad judgement.

[Alan Gordon]

Jul 25, 2008 21:03:29 GMT -5 zedsdead said:

Sorry Alan, I did not know this would strike a cord on this subject. I think his point was that WLTZ could not get much cooperation with Direct TV. He never said it was a bad company. For the life of me I don't know why the general manager of WLTZ would want to make up a story about Dish telling him they would be carrying local chanels in Columbus soon.

No reason to be sorry, and I wasn't trying to say that he was making up a story about local channels on Dish Network... in fact, the fact that Dish was actually talking to him is a good sign for Dish subscribers in the Columbus, GA DMA.

My point was simply that his "arrogant" comment was somewhat out of line. The people whom he tried to speak with could VERY well have been arrogant (every big company has at least some arrogant people working for them), but my point was simply that unless he owns WTLZ, he has VERY LITTLE to do with the whole process, and just because DirecTV didn't speak to him means very little. I could call up DirecTV and ask when they plan to offer LIL for Albany and I wouldn't have a ton less influence than he would have. The satcos generally do all their business with the parent companies and have very little to do with the local stations until such a time as they are ready to do so, and there's been quite a few times where the companies haven't even DEALT with a local station until after the local stations were already uplinked (the exception being if the satco used some of that affiliate's equipment) and even then it's basically giving them a phone number to call in case there is a problem with the signal.

Dish meeting with him like this and talking to him about it is unusual (but not unheard of). DirecTV could be planning to add Columbus, GA LIL next month and they probably wouldn't have told him anyway...

As I said, he's probably a nice guy, I just don't think he understands how these things usually work...

~Alan