Newbie Seeking Guidance

[tacobelldog52]

We are switching from cable, and due to be installed Saturday. Was told I was going to get all my local channels just like with cable, but today found out that isn't the case.

C*mcast gives local channels based on Indianapolis, dish network gives them based on Fort Wayne. Dish network said I was a couple miles north of were the cut off was. I have seen people talking about "Moving" on forums, which I do have another address which would work, but I didn't know if this would help.


Bottom line is there any way to get what I believe should be my local channels?

 

[Laddyboy]

Dish goes by the Nielson DMA map. The one for Ft. Wayne is here:

TRUCK ADS® | Ft. Wayne DMA | Advertising | Billboards | Graphics | Call 1 800 TRUCK AD

I assume you're in one of the counties shown in blue. The Indianapolis market is here:

TRUCK ADS® | Indianapolis DMA | Advertising | Billboards | Graphics | Call 1 800 TRUCK AD

If you're in the Ft. Wayme market and want Indy locals, you'll have to "move" within the Indy market boundaries. Can you get them OTA? CableCos do not have to follow the same rules as DBS companies being able to provide significantly viewed channels at will. DBS companies can provide significantly viewed in some cases, but usually lack the bandwidth to do so.

 

[garys]

Rules for local are different on cable and satellite, what you believe has nothing to do with FCC ruling. If you are only a few miles outside the dma you want, you may want to consider an OTA antenna and bet both dma's at no extra monthly charge.

 

[tacobelldog52]

Yes I live at the southern most part of Jay county in that map of the FT. wayne DMA. OTA antenna's don't get signal this far, or at least no one in this area can pick it up. I think we are on the edge for both. Its a weird situation or at least it is to me. To change service addresses do you just call them or is it possible to just change it online? ( Thanks for your help )

 

[dwarren2]

There is a little known cable tier of service which some call Lifeline or Super Basic. Runs about $12/month. All cable companies are required to carry it. I have it as a back up. I'm about 20 miles east of Rochester, NY on top of a small hill. With a roof top antenna, rotor and amplifier I pick up Rochester and Syracuse crystal clear. I can sometimes even pull in some Buffalo stations.
With the cable, in addition to Rochester and Syracuse I get Elmira NY network stations via QAM.
So if your willing to pay the cable fee, you would still get the Indianapolis stations.

 

[The Fat Man]

There is a little known cable tier of service which some call Lifeline or Super Basic. Runs about $12/month. All cable companies are required to carry it. I have it as a back up. I'm about 20 miles east of Rochester, NY on top of a small hill. With a roof top antenna, rotor and amplifier I pick up Rochester and Syracuse crystal clear. I can sometimes even pull in some Buffalo stations.
With the cable, in addition to Rochester and Syracuse I get Elmira NY network stations via QAM.
So if your willing to pay the cable fee, you would still get the Indianapolis stations.

You stole my thunder. I get Boston locals and a local cable news outlet through Comcast as part of my phone and internet package. The charge for the tv part is $3.

 

[Laddyboy]

Yes I live at the southern most part of Jay county in that map of the FT. wayne DMA. OTA antenna's don't get signal this far, or at least no one in this area can pick it up. I think we are on the edge for both. Its a weird situation or at least it is to me. To change service addresses do you just call them or is it possible to just change it online? ( Thanks for your help )

You can do it via an online chat. I have heard some reps of asking for a utility bill or somesuch, but that seems to be rare. If one does ask, just try another rep. Usually, this changes both the service address and the billing address so be sure to tell them to just change the service address if you want to be billed at the usual home. Or use electronic billing and credit card autopay and you don't have to worry about that part of it. If you need repair service from Dish, you'll have to move back home.

 

[dwarren2]

You stole my thunder. I get Boston locals and a local cable news outlet through Comcast as part of my phone and internet package. The charge for the tv part is $3.

I may have to up my cable this year. With no MSG on Dish, last season I used a p2p site to find Sabres games on line. Now that site is down and the replacement is having major problems. So, in order to watch them, I'll have to up my cable.

 

[TG2]

TacoBD .... Go to TvFool.com ... scroll down below the "Check your address for free" and select the "Click Here" (it takes you directly to the address entry screen) ... enter your address, you'll get a directional channel map, you can also get a terrain map, and if you have an antenna on a rotor, you can turn as you need if you're too close one way or another.

I'm 70 miles from DC, roughly 65 miles from ABC, CBS, Fox broadcast tower ... yet I get them in the 70's on my OTA tuner in my 722k. Antenna is attached to the chimney 30 or so feet off the ground, and I aim east, roughly at a low mountain-esq outcrop a half mile from me.. that referb (30 dollars) OTA module is a really good add on..

And if you don't currently have a chimney mounted antenna, weigh the costs ... 12 dollars a month for basic cable is 144 in the first year.. 60 mile (or more) antenna runs you 109 online, 50 or less for the OTA module (722k/922) and 50 to 100 for an installer? not a bad option if you're in the range.

 

[The Fat Man]

I may have to up my cable this year. With no MSG on Dish, last season I used a p2p site to find Sabres games on line. Now that site is down and the replacement is having major problems. So, in order to watch them, I'll have to up my cable.

That will cost more. I was looking into what I refer to as normal basic to get 24 hour HD NESN, but price wasn't worth it.