Big News: DirecTV 12 to take DirecTV 10 load for spotbeam fix attempt

[jcrandall]

"DirecTV 10 is currently operating at the 102.815° orbital location. As DirecTV has previously informed the Commission, that satellite suffered a post launch anomaly that has limited the capacity available in certain local markets. DirecTV believes that it can ameliorate this condition, but will need to discontinue commercial service from the satellite and relocate it slightly so that it is not within the cluster of it's other operational satellites. Accordingly, DirecTV intends to move DirecTV 10 to the 102.6° position to conduct the restorative procedure. During this migration, DirecTV 10 will continue to provide service to subscribers. However, over the course of this migration, DirecTV intends to transfer all traffic from DirecTV 10 to DirecTV 12, DirecTV's newest satellite which has just completed in-orbit testing and is expected to arive at the nominal 103° location on or about May 11, 2010. At the conclusion of the STA period, the satellite will be in a position for the corrective procedure to be attempted."

This is big, DirecTV 10 has had spotbeam (provides HD Locals) issues going back to launch. They plan to move all DirecTV 10 channels to DirecTV 12, then move DirecTV 10 slightly, attempt a repair, and move it back.

This may add some time to the expansion of HD channels (though DirecTV 12 has two more ConUS transponders, thus 10 channels could be added while repair is attempted, and they can always cut into PPV), but could result in signifiacant improvements in their ability to provide HD Locals for more markets!

The STA allows this to start May 14 and take up to 30 days. DirecTV 10 will move to 102.6 degrees WL.

[Jason Whiddon]

I guess it's good, but im not happy about waiting all this time to get this sat up to see it as a replacement, in hopes of a spotbeam fix on D10. I mean just how many freakin markets are there left?

Another month of listening to people cheer Directv on, wonder if our upcoming 5 in May (per satracer) will be 4 HBO's and a Cinemax?

Hopefully they wont d*** around with it too long and get D10 back into service.

[jcrandall]

I can't imagine it would delay things more than a month or so. If they get more capacity from spotbeams - GO FOR IT - that will beneift lots of peope. Possibly not just new HD local markets, but more HD Locals (or subchannels) in existing markets too.

[am7crew]

wasnt it suppose to be 30 new HD channels in May? Now its 5?

[BlackHitachi]

. I mean just how many freakin markets are there left?

I know mine is left!! I would LOVE to get my HD locals!

[Jason Whiddon]

Yeah, Im just being selfish. Im still pissed at all these providers for wasting good space with PPV's when channels like BBCA and ESPNU are long overdue.

[Jason Whiddon]

wasnt it suppose to be 30 new HD channels in May? Now its 5?

They will only have capacity for 10 or so until D10 is brought back on line.

[Jason Whiddon]

I know mine is left!! I would LOVE to get my HD locals!

Ive got mine, so I do not care about yours!

[BlackHitachi]

Yeah, Im just being selfish. Im still pissed at all these providers for wasting good space with PPV's when channels like BBCA and ESPNU are long overdue.

I must agree with you on this!

[jcrandall]

wasnt it suppose to be 30 new HD channels in May? Now its 5?

The release said 30 new channels "STARTING IN MAY". Never said they would do 30 in May - nor did they intend to. I'd expect 30 this summer, before the fall TV season so to speak.