New Direct TV Sat to launch soon.

**mini1** · 03-12-2004 09:33 AM

There is no date set for launch, according to Sea-Launch, as of this week. I have been e-mailing them. But that website does seem to indicate that date as being correct. Is Sea-Launch telling me the truth?

**pradike** · 03-13-2004 03:41 PM

Originally Posted by mini1

There is no date set for launch, according to Sea-Launch, as of this week. I have been e-mailing them. But that website does seem to indicate that date as being correct. Is Sea-Launch telling me the truth?

Sea-Launch is always slow at posting their launch info...maybe about the time the bird is delivered there, they'll post the May 2 date that has already be posted elsewhere.

**silversurfer** · 03-15-2004 11:36 AM

According to this website 7S is set for launch on May 2nd.

http://ast.faa.gov/linfo_vsite/launch_info.cfm

**ddobson** · 03-17-2004 03:08 PM

Sea Launch has updated their current mission page with info regarding S7. It doesn't state an exact date but we've all seen May 2nd floating around.

http://www.sea-launch.com/current_launch.htm

**mini1** · 03-17-2004 05:51 PM

Wow! they even have shipping pictures!

**mini1** · 03-26-2004 04:56 PM

As of today Sea-Launch has NOT set a launch date for 7s yet, I just received this e-mail below form Paula Korn, the head of operations at Sea-Launch.
"We have not yet announced a launch date for DIRECTV 7S. We anticipate that we will launch in early May, pending completion of all preparatory processing and tests. Please watch our website for mission updates, as available. - Paula"
This website is only a projected date.
seen here.

**atltechguy** · 03-27-2004 04:56 PM

I read somewhere where the new sat will add more local programing in 20 existing markets as well as all of the new markets that are getting locals. I hope they will expand on local HDTV for the top 20 markets. That would piss off the cable providers.

Has anyone else heard or read this? Thanks.

**dswallow** · 03-27-2004 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by atltechguy

I read somewhere where the new sat will add more local programing in 20 existing markets as well as all of the new markets that are getting locals. I hope they will expand on local HDTV for the top 20 markets. That would piss off the cable providers.

Has anyone else heard or read this? Thanks.

DirecTV has only announced Fox HD E/W channels for owned-and-operated markets (and those with waivers/distant networks). And the only other local HD info that's ever been mentioned has been related to plans to explore using the SpaceWay satellites (the first of which launches later this year) to provide local HD/DTV signals from every station in the US.

DirecTV 7S will free up a lot of space currently used by local markets on national/CONUS transponders, so it's likely we'll see some announcements once DirecTV 7S is operational.

**atltechguy** · 03-28-2004 07:15 PM

Is there any word when Directv will add Fox to their HDTV lineup? I want an HD TiVo, but I also want to wait and see what they add. I came back from cable, because I missed my TiVo.

**dswallow** · 03-28-2004 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by atltechguy

Is there any word when Directv will add Fox to their HDTV lineup? I want an HD TiVo, but I also want to wait and see what they add. I came back from cable, because I missed my TiVo.

There's not really any firm date announced for Fox HD E/W on DirecTV; "In time for the fall television season" has been the most official thing I've seen. But conjecture is that it'll happen once DirecTV 7S is operational and at least some locals from 101 degrees have moved over to it.