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I can't respond directly to this thread as its too old:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/46070-must-carry-question.html#post399612

So, Im asking in a new thread.

One station in my area, WMGM-TV 40, has requested must-carry for this current cycle [ 2009-2011]. The station runs NBC programming, has about 2 hours a day of local news programming though pretty low budget, and it transmits from Avalon, NJ. Its licensed to Wildwood NJ, unlike WCAU 10 (NBC) which is licensed to Philadelphia (in Pennsylvania). So, it can get carriage, unlike KNAZ-Flagstaff that couldn't get carriage because it being in the same state as the Phoenix based affiliate. KNAZ has since ceased local news[August 2008] citing not being able to get satellite carriage as one factor.

WMGM has delivered a quality fiber optic signal from Avalon, NJ to Dish's point of presence in Pennsauken, NJ, a distance of 80 miles.

I emailed Dish, a certain rep., and found out that Dish does indeed plan on carrying the station as it elected must-carry. However, the response I'm also getting is capacity is an issue. Dish is playing the capacity=full issue is a problem, and they won't divulge a time frame. The station manager is somewhat upset as its costing them a lot of money and they got the signal ready a two months before the new year. He wants the customers to ask for it.

As one month is now gone [from the actual Jan 1 start date], and its roughing 35 months, the station is paying a lot of money to keep the signal to Dish, how long can Dish blow off NOT carrying the station?

I reviewed fcc00417.doc from the FCC site (google it) and there was no language exactly of when satellite has to commence carrying a must-carry when a new cycle begins. Only under topics: New Local-Into-Local Service and New Television Stations. but neither of those apply in this situation.

Has Dish added any new must-carry stations this cycle so far? It appears more channels were dropped including WYBE 35, than added.

WYBE I know is too cheap to do fiber optic, but the signal can easily be picked up over the air in Pennsauken, NJ. I haven't been able to get anybody on the phone over at WYBE. Calling the station is like calling a voicemail box. Maybe they are so understaffed, low budget that they don't even care or have the money to care otherwise, but nonetheless a loss for customers.

Over at DirecTV, well, I was at my Best Buy just flipping the local stations, DirecTV still carries WYBE and carries WMGM, but I noticed PBS 39 (WLVT) from Bethlehem/Allentown looking terrible, like an OTA analog pickup. Is the reception on the station that bad? I remembered in '06 or so, I had DirecTV and didn't notice a problem. Verizon Fios carries PBS 39 (SD signals...not the HD feed), but its clear. PBS 39 is sometimes a better PBS than WHYY 12, and makes a nice alternative in the daytime for PBS.