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Post by wpbear on May 6, 2010 21:40:30 GMT -5
DishNet may already have started the launch. I'm a tech for DirecTV and one of my coworkers lost an install to Dish today. Long story short, according to the tech, a customer recently installed with a Turbo HD dish cancelled their DirecTV workorder because they started receiving Columbus locals yesterday (May 5th), and they knew DirecTV didn't offer them yet. DirecTV can't get that D12 satellite up and running fast enough!!! Any insider info on time frame for DirecTV.
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DJ
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Post by DJ on May 7, 2010 6:01:50 GMT -5
End of September, beginning of October. This was announced on a company conference call where Columbus and Montgomery were specifically mentioned as being new markets to be launched.
Sad part is Montgomery has had locals from DishNet for a few years now, so my fellow Montgomery techs have a helluva time keeping their completion rate at acceptable levels due to many customers being misled into believing they get locals with DirecTV. I see the same happening here in the Columbus DMA for the time being, especially with there being a Dish Network store that runs advertisements locally.
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Post by Alan Gordon on May 7, 2010 10:46:13 GMT -5
DishNet may already have started the launch. I'm a tech for DirecTV and one of my coworkers lost an install to Dish today. Long story short, according to the tech, a customer recently installed with a Turbo HD dish cancelled their DirecTV workorder because they started receiving Columbus locals yesterday (May 5th), and they knew DirecTV didn't offer them yet. Dish hasn't offered any kind of press release, nor have they updated their site with availability, nor have I heard any indication of the locals being turned on yet, so odds are that they simply heard they were on their way. DirecTV can't get that D12 satellite up and running fast enough!!! D12 is moving to it's parking spot, and should be there by either Sunday or Monday, with some tweaking done over the course of the week. Either way, we should expect to see signal readings next week, with new channels either the week after (19th or 26th). Any insider info on time frame for DirecTV. End of September, beginning of October. This was announced on a company conference call where Columbus and Montgomery were specifically mentioned as being new markets to be launched. Do you happen to remember a timeframe for the launch of Albany, GA HD-LIL?! ~Alan
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Post by wpbear on May 7, 2010 15:28:20 GMT -5
End of September, beginning of October. This was announced on a company conference call where Columbus and Montgomery were specifically mentioned as being new markets to be launched. Sad part is Montgomery has had locals from DishNet for a few years now, so my fellow Montgomery techs have a helluva time keeping their completion rate at acceptable levels due to many customers being misled into believing they get locals with DirecTV. I see the same happening here in the Columbus DMA for the time being, especially with there being a Dish Network store that runs advertisements locally. Good and bad for me. I move to Columbus late July and now have three choices, OTA only, Cable Charter, or DirecTV. Dish Network and Mediacomm are out since they dont have MLB Network, but DirecTV is is really expensive. So unless I move to a charter cable area, my decision may have been made for me...OTA only. I figure if I can go from end of July till October w/o paying for TV then why bother start then. A La Carte pricing should be allowed.
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DJ
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Post by DJ on May 7, 2010 15:40:00 GMT -5
Heard from another tech whose neighbor has a Dish International pointed SE, they checked yesterday and sure enough they were able to view their Columbus locals. HOWEVER, they have been using an antenna to view them, so it's possible they were still watching their OTA locals BUT with guide info now available. So I can't confirm that claim.
Yeah, I'm following the progress of D12 as well. It'll be nice to see signal readings for "103 ca" instead of all zeros.
I personally didn't hear anything regarding Albany, since my office only deals with Montgomery & Columbus. However, doesn't WRBL and WTVM claim Albany as being in their coverage area still? If so, Albany may not be that far behind. WALB (NBC) is owned by Raycom, which owns WTVM, so that shouldn't be too much of a hurdle. Time will tell. Albany would be the last market in GA not covered once Columbus is picked up.
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Post by Alan Gordon on May 7, 2010 17:55:10 GMT -5
However, doesn't WRBL and WTVM claim Albany as being in their coverage area still? I honestly don't know. WRBL still provides a decent signal to parts of the Albany area, but WTVM's signal to the Albany area has decreased significantly. They are both offered via cable (Mediacom), but there is a high penetration of Dish Network subscribers in the area, and they can't (legally) offer either. DirecTV will most likely offer WSWG as the CBS affiliate for Albany locals like Dish Network does, but it will be interesting to see what DirecTV does with ABC as WTVM is only "Significantly Viewed" in like three or four counties in the Albany, GA DMA. Albany would be the last market in GA not covered once Columbus is picked up. Actually, they may be the next to last with Columbus, GA being the last market not covered. DirecTV was installing equipment for Albany last month. Someone at WALB said he hoped it would be up by July. That may be a little quick, but it's still possible it will beat Columbus! Sorry for the off-topic folks! ~Alan
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DJ
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Post by DJ on May 7, 2010 19:33:48 GMT -5
No matter what happens, DirecTV will be having a hiring spree in all three markets very, very shortly. Satellites Unlimited with Dish Network is running ads locally for more techs as their work load is about to go through the roof if it hasn't already.
I'm sure the folks in East Alabama Cable territory are jumping for joy now that they have a REAL alternative, soon TWO REAL alternatives for their television needs. It'll be interesting to see what this will do to their customer base.
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Post by jlharper59 on May 10, 2010 6:25:24 GMT -5
Looks like DirecTV users will wait a little longer...the new sat should be in place any day now, but will be, in the "very" short term, involved in "fixing" another satellite, possibly allowing for more locals across the country. Not a killer for me, as I am lucky enough to have a receiver with integrated OTA connection - a $40 OTA antenna and I get decent reception, all seamlessly integrated into my system. I don't look for locals until late summer or early fall - just in time for SEC football!
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Post by Alan Gordon on May 10, 2010 13:18:35 GMT -5
Looks like DirecTV users will wait a little longer...the new sat should be in place any day now, but will be, in the "very" short term, involved in "fixing" another satellite, possibly allowing for more locals across the country. That should have no effect on the rollout of Columbus locals though. DirecTV has three markets announced for June, and D10 should be fixed sometime next month... so there shouldn't be any delay for any markets possibly planned for July or later. Another thing to take into account is the fact that according to Mike, DirecTV isn't even installing the equipment until this month, so you can expect at least two to three months after for the launch date. I don't look for locals until late summer or early fall - just in time for SEC football! According to DJ: End of September, beginning of October. ~Alan
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Post by Mike Slade on May 11, 2010 17:29:00 GMT -5
Just got an update from WTVM. Dish locals are supposed to start June 3rd. The DirecTV equipment install is in progress and tests should begin next week with a target date of September.
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Post by darinvedwards on May 12, 2010 8:02:22 GMT -5
This is awesome news! As a Phenix City resident, I have been waiting for this news for the majority of my adult life!
I'm sure the DishNetwork installers are going to have a few months of backlog in Phenix City at the expense of our hometown provider/crooks.
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Post by Alan Gordon on May 17, 2010 12:55:37 GMT -5
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DJ
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Post by DJ on May 17, 2010 17:04:08 GMT -5
It's about time we get this announcement!!! This will fill in that big gap in locals coverage DirecTV has in the Southeast. This is BIG BIG BIG for our area, I can't wait as a DirecTV employee to see this come true. For six years I've worked for this company and we've lost thousands upon thousands of installs to the lack of locals. As the day comes closer I'm sure CTVEA will be ramping up their advertisements to try and stop the inevitable mass exodus of their customer base. I can't wait to see what happens over there once both satellite providers have a competitive advantage over that company.
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Post by jlharper59 on May 20, 2010 9:45:22 GMT -5
Locals with DirecTV made the Ledger today...Knology says it won't affect them. If you have phone/internet service from them probably not, but if you have just cable, it probably will. Not sure about DISH, as I have DirecTV, but my HD picture quality is almost always better than anything that cable delivers.
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Post by Alan Gordon on May 20, 2010 14:35:37 GMT -5
Locals with DirecTV made the Ledger today.... Here's the link: www.ledger-enquirer.com/2010/05/20/1128912/directtv-to-offer-local-channels.htmlBTW, if anyone's registered to leave comments, please inform aucat76 that though HDTV receivers/DVRs will be required, HD packages are not required for those in markets where your locals are KA/MPEG4, as well as informing ronvan that locals are $3 a month on DirecTV. ~Alan
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