DirecTV to add 44 HD local markets (Updated with Launch Schedule)

**djbarci** · 09-23-2008 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jason Crandall

As hinted at earlier this week, DirecTV has confirmed that tommorrow morning they plan to launch 3 more HD Local markets, completing the September launches.

Mrytle Beach SC
(Based on directv.com guide data - expect all major networks except NBC, and possible get CW, which is unusual)

Champaign IL
(no hints here - everything is listed twice, even the multiple PBS's, so it's not right)

Burlington VT
(Based on Directv.com TV Listings, predict NBC & FOX only?)

Anyhow, we'll know the real networks tommorrow morning.

Champaign-Decatur-Springfield will have all the major locals because:

NBC=Decatur
CBS=Champaign
ABC=Springfield
FOX=Springfield
CW=???

**Jimbo** · 09-23-2008 11:02 PM

Once D* gets your Big 4 up in HD, how long till they get the PBS station and any others that may be available in your DMA ?

Jimbo

**atp1313** · 09-24-2008 12:50 AM

I plan to watch my 3 year old walk the stage at graduation before I expect to see PBSHD locals carried by D* (or anyone else for that matter).

**jcrandall** · 09-24-2008 07:26 AM

The three expected markets did launch this morning at 6am.

Here are the stations:

Burlington VT DMA: NBC, ABC, FOX (No cbs)

Champaign IL DMA: NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS

Myrtle Beach SC DMA: ABC, FOX, CBS, CW (No nbc)

DirecTV will continue negotations with the single station in the launced markets that is not available in HD. Sometimes this can take a short time, sometimes they never reach an agreement.

**jcrandall** · 09-24-2008 07:55 AM

Just checking markets around my area, it appears that Grand Rapids MI had channel 41, the alternate ABC added in HD. (Grand Rapids DMA has 2 ABCs, now both in HD).

**mxd** · 09-24-2008 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Jason Crandall

Just checking markets around my area, it appears that Grand Rapids MI had channel 41, the alternate ABC added in HD. (Grand Rapids DMA has 2 ABCs, now both in HD).

2 ABC's and South Bend can't even get the one. This really sucks! If E* puts all of the networks in South Bend up in HD in the near future, I'll switch in a heartbeat!

**jcrandall** · 09-24-2008 09:21 AM

I'm guessing they had to put up channel 41 as part of the LIN deal, it is LIN owned.

**harshness** · 09-24-2008 09:39 AM

According to someone from the Burlington VT market on the other site, they got the Big Four and VPT at 7am.

**djbarci** · 09-24-2008 10:46 AM

Here's the report from Springfield, IL...we got blessed with ALL of our locals coming in HD (including all PBS stations):

3 CBS (WCIA) - Champaign HD

12 PBS (WILL) - Champaign HD

14 PBS (WSEC) - Decatur HD

17 NBC (WAND) - Decatur HD

20 ABC (WICS) - Springfield HD

23 CW (WBUI) - Champaign HD

49 MNT (WCFN) - Champaign HD

51 PBS (WEIU) - Springfield HD

55 FOX (WRSP) - Springfield HD

We got 9 HD local channels this morning...all up and running. Thank you D*!!!

**rockaway1836** · 09-24-2008 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Jason Crandall

The three expected markets did launch this morning at 6am.

Here are the stations:

Burlington VT DMA: NBC, ABC, FOX (No cbs)

Champaign IL DMA: NBC, ABC, FOX, CBS

Myrtle Beach SC DMA: ABC, FOX, CBS, CW (No nbc)

DirecTV will continue negotations with the single station in the launced markets that is not available in HD. Sometimes this can take a short time, sometimes they never reach an agreement.

NBC in Myrtle Beach does not show up on the on-line guide. But it is in fact showing up on the receivers, as WMBF channel 34. CBS has no sound on any of my H20s and no sound no picture on my H21-200.

As of 1PM issues have been resolved