DirecTV adding DNS locals for some unserved markets

[jcrandall]

DIRECTV has decided to provide out of market local channels to customers in markets where we have no plans at the moment to launch actual local channels. Please note that customers won’t need an MPEG 4 upgrade to receive the out of market (DNS services) in the 390 channel range. Customers without MPEG 4 hardware will see the DNS SD version of the DNS channels. As of 09/22/10 a $0 dollar offer will be applied onto the accounts of all existing customers, which will provide DNS services (see list below) to selected DMAs.

Alpena MI DNS: All except CBS
Glendive MT DNS: All except CBS & NBC
Persque Isle ME DNS: All but CBS
Ottumwa IA Kirksville MO N/A DNS: All but ABC & FOX
Bowling Green KY N/A DNS: All but ABC & NBC
Lima OH N/A DNS: All but ABC & NBC
North Platte NE N/A DNS: CBS, CW, PBS ONLY
Victoria TX N/A DNS: CBS, CW, PBS ONLY


These markets are having DNS added at no cost as they don't have an affilate offering these networks. They used to be the "automatic approved waiver" upon request, but cost $2.50 or so, now these customers will get them free.

Alpena for example, has only one station in it's DMA, CBS. Now Alpena customers will get all stations via DNA except CBS, which they will have to get OTA unless DirecTV ever adds it in the future.

 

[jdspencer]

Too bad they don't have The CW in HD as DNS.

 

[Mr Tony]

here are the previous lists too
http://www.satelliteguys.us/directv...giving-distants-some-markets-temporarily.html

interesting as most of those markets only have one or two locals to begin with. What is interesting id both Presque Isle and Alpena have a fox subchannel yet they qualify for Fox distant

 

[Mr Tony]

jd
you do realize these customers only get the stations in SD above

 

[jdspencer]

Yes, I do know that. I guess I should have added a .

I did wonder about the reference to the 390s in the post above.
The 390s are the HD versions. The SD DNS are in the 380s.

 

[MrsHammer]

Please clarify

I live in Bowling Green, Ky which was one the DMA's mentioned. I currently do not subscribe to Dish or Direct TV. However, we are looking at moving to an area of our county that is not serviced by cable, so we would have to choose either Dish or Direct TV. With Dish, we can get locals now, but all are in SD. If we chose Direct TV, does this mean we could get all of our locals except ABC and NBC, but the ones that we get will be from another city and not in HD? When I go to Direct TV's website and 'pretend' like I am purchasing a package, it tells me 'no locals'. I'm just sort of confused on the whole thing.

 

[Mr Tony]

Dish carries almost all markets in SD. Directv has not got that far yet

You would get the stations in HD but would be from NY....

 

[bartman99]

Bummer, Charlottesville, VA still out in the cold

Still no options other than waivers and expensive DNS for Charlottesville (22903) It's right in there with the rest of these towns with a DMA of 183.

I've gotta move

 

[Mr Tony]

I think the issue is your market has all 4 nets...some of these barely have 1