Distant Networks after the Digital Conversion

[CU2000]

What is going to happen to Distant Networks after the Digital conversion?
Yes there are somewhere around 5% of the population with locals not available on either DBS Network & cannot receive one or more of the 4 major networks off air.
To make matters worse in our DMA (N.E. MO) which only has only ABC & Fox they deny all waiver requests. It is my understanding there are currently no rules for Distant (Digital) Network reception. Will this mean that Dish could again provide distant networks?

 

[Mr Tony]

What is going to happen to Distant Networks after the Digital conversion?

since DIsh cant sell distants that point is moot. All American Direct can sell them and nothing will change

Will this mean that Dish could again provide distant networks?

not unless the court case is changed because Dish cant sell distants/sig viewed channels at all.

 

[Awohar]

it would take act of congress, so fax your congressman and ask him to support change to laws

 

[waltinvt]

I think the question is whether the switch to digital has any bearing on Dish's ability to provide distants of digital channels even though they lost their license to provide analogs. Good question for Greg Bismon.

 

[CU2000]

Yes, question is about if this changes anything for Dish or any other provider
of distants. Seems on Feb 17 the there are no rules on the books for this for Digital signals. Law applied to analog signals.

 

[harshness]

Law applied to analog signals.

I don't believe the ruling applies to a particular technology -- just broadcast television in general.

 

[Hall]

I don't believe the ruling applies to a particular technology -- just broadcast television in general.

That's always been my thought too though I admit I haven't seen the actual wording of the rule/law. My basis is, when it was written, there was no "digital signal" so why would they restrict the rule to "analog" ? They wouldn't. They would say "television signal" or "broadcast signal" and anyone who thinks the digital signals are un-affected now is dreaming.

 

[MikeD-C05]

If there is anyone out there to test the idea of digital distants legally , I am sure that Charlie is that man . He loves to stay tangled in lawsuits that go on , and on ,and on to the fed courts, appeals courts, supreme court. He ought to get a frequent flyer miles for all the time his company spends in the courts.

 

[CU2000]

SBCA informs me that current distant signals law apply to analog signals & Rules have yet to be establised for Distant Digital.

 

[Hall]

SBCA informs me that current distant signals law apply to analog signals & Rules have yet to be establised for Distant Digital.

What is the exact wording ? Without seeing it, I'll say that that's simply the SBCA's opinion. And of course they'd see it that way, just like the local stations are guaranteed to see it the opposite !