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HOME |
DISH Network |
DIRECTV |
Digital TV Conversion
Internet
Access:
HughesNet |
WildBlue |
Wireless
Call Now! Chico: 893-3474 | Yuba/Sutter: 673-4119 | Toll Free: 800-870-8876
Sections:
Chico-Redding Local Stations Available Via Satellite
DISH Network now offers a package of Chico-Redding DMA "local" major network affiliate stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox). This service began on 02/06/2003. UPN is expected to become available on 03/24/04.
See the current DISH Network programming packages for pricing and details.
RV'ers: Currently the Chico-Redding channels are being broadcast from a 'spot beam' at the 119 degree orbital location. "Spot Beam" indicates that the signal is NOT available throughout the US. So, while these signals are likely to be available in Central & Northern California, Southern Oregon, North-Western Nevada, you would not be able to receive these stations much beyond that area. However, with a successful RV waiver you would be able to alternatively or additionally subscribe to full-conus (Full-Continental US) stations such as LA, New York, et al. See the RV waiver for additional details.
DirecTV has indicated that they expect to offer a package of Chico-Redding stations possibly in mid-year 2004. We believe that this service is dependent upon the successful launch and deployment of DirecTV's 7S satellite which has been delayed numerous times. We now expect this launch to occur in May 2004. Assuming that the launch, deployment and satellite are entirely successful, we believe that it is now reasonable to believe that the Chico-Redding stations will become available on DirecTV in the June - July 2004 time frame.
However, we expect that to receive the Chico-Redding Local stations, you will need a DirecTV Multi-Sat Dish, which we have been including in our new system sales since May 2003. And RV'ers should see the "RV'ers" note above, as we expect that DirecTV will also be using a spot beam to serve our local area.
Local Channels via Antenna
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Most homes in our service area can receive their local channels with a
small-amplified antenna that mounts on the dish, such as the Terk
TV42 antenna. $39.99 if added at the time of system purchase and
installation from ACC.
Plus, if you live within the Chico-Redding, Sacramento, San Francisco or approx 50 other DMA's in the US, you can subscribe to local channels via satellite. If you live in a location where you can not receive local channels via antenna or via satellite, you may be able to subscribe to network channels from other cities. (see service providers for details, availability restrictions and costs). |
Network Channels Via Satellite
"Network Channels" currently only refer to broadcast affiliate stations of the major broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, NBC & Fox.
Federal law severely restricts satellite broadcasters ability to deliver network channels to homes.
The law centers on the Broadcasters desire to have people watch their local affiliate stations from their local area. The broadcasters want to you to see the advertising on local stations, and protect those local affiliates from too much competition.
In general - if you can get a watchable signal from a local affiliate via an off-air antenna, satellite broadcasters (DISH Network & DirecTV) are forbidden by law from selling you DISTANT network channels from outside of your area. *** If a satellite broadcaster does carry your local network affiliate stations from your DMA (designated market area) then those local network channels are generally available to you via satellite.
This is just like your local newspaper forbidding you from reading an out of town newspaper to protect their revenues.
LOCAL Channels Via Satellite: Today - approx 100 of the DMA's in the US (out of 210) have some of their local channels available via satellite. Due to the limited number of channels that can be carried on satellite, and economics (the cost of rebroadcasting all those channels), it is currently not feasible to carry every broadcast channel in the US on satellite.
Imagine if (for example) a satellite broadcaster carried an ABC, CBS, NBC & Fox affiliate station from each of 200 local markets. That would consume 800 channels of capacity. On a Monday Night Football Game the satellite broadcaster would have the same game playing on 200 channels. A very poor allocation of limited satellite channel capacity. Federally mandated.
Congress also slapped "Must Carry Regulations" on Satellite Broadcasters, meaning that if a satellite broadcaster carries one station in a DMA they must carry every qualifying station in the DMA without any regard to whether or not any customers want that station. This is not free market activity - satellite broadcasters are forced by federal law to carry some channels even when the satellite broadcaster and their customers do not want to spend scarce channel capacity & resources on carrying the channel. And at the same time deny you the ability to receive "out-of-market" channels that you might desire for a variety of reasons.
So, while it would seem that free citizens of the United States could purchase whatever stations are for sale via satellite - the reality is that federal laws censor, restrict and restrain your choices.
1999 Federal Changes To Laws Impacting Network Channels via Satellite.
In December 1999 changes were made to the SHVA (Satellite Home Viewers Act).
The law made only minor improvements to the "Network Channel" via satellite situation, and continues to focus on protecting Broadcasters and Cable Companies from the threat of full competition from Satellite.
One positive change that was made was an
EXEMPTION
for RV users and Commercial Truck Drivers that allows the subscription to
network channels for use in these vehicles. See DirecTV & DISH Network for
their RV/Truck Exemption forms and their policies in this area, and how to apply
for the RV or Commercial Truck Waiver..
What is an "RV"??? A $100,000.00 diesel pusher? A pickup/camper? A tent trailer? Or, any car, pickup, or motorcycle?? We don't know either.
Qualifying For Distant Network Affiliate Stations.
Network Channel Restriction TERMS
Qualifying customers for local and distant network service can be a bit confusing. While we wish that you could purchase any channels that are available, Congress had other ideas....Here are the 5 scenarios that most customers will fit into:
Scenario #1: If a customer lives in a Grade A/Grade B contour area and does not live in an area where local channels are available via satellite. Then the customer cannot subscribe to any distant network packages (like San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, or New York).
The customer must use an antenna to receive a signal from their local affiliate stations. Broadcasters say that a local antenna is OK - and you must use it. Except when broadcasters want "Must Carry" rules on Cable TV & Satellite-then they argue that an antenna is not good enough.
Customer could apply for waivers (See Below).
Scenario #2: If a customer lives in one of the local DMA's (EG: San Francisco, Sacramento, or Chico-Redding DMA's) where local stations are available via satellite, and is located in a Grade A/Grade B contour area. Then the customer is ONLY eligible to purchase the LOCAL network package for their DMA. The customer can not subscribe to any DISTANT network affiliate stations.
Scenario #3: If a customer lives in a white area (non Grade A/Grade B signal area) where no local affiliates are available via satellite, then the customer is eligible to purchase up to two distant network packages. The law prevents the customer from subscribing to more than (2) distant network packages.
Scenario #4: If a customer lives in a white area (non Grade A/Grade B signal area) where local affiliates are available via satellite, then the customer is eligible to purchase their LOCAL DMA package plus any two additional DISH Network distant network packages.
Scenario #5: If a customer lives in an area considered to be in Grade A/Grade B signal area for just one local affiliate and is where no local affiliates are available via satellite, then the customer can only subscribe to the distant network channels that they qualify for, but only from Limited Certain Specified Cities. Only certain cities offer piecemeal channel offerings, each of the other city packages are an "All or Nothing" proposition. This is due to current technical limitations of authorizing a receiver for only parts of a package.
Check with Signal providers (DISH Network, DirecTV) for current and complete information regarding the availability of the signals that they offer on their systems..
Obtaining a waiver from local affiliate stations:
If you do not otherwise qualify for network channels via satellite, you might be able to obtain a waiver from your local affiliate stations. If granted, the waiver may allow you to subscribe to a network affiliate from outside of your local area (DMA).
Call or write to your satellite carrier (DISH or DirecTV) to request waivers. Your satellite carrier will in turn request the waivers from each of the local broadcasters that serve your area. You should then allow 45 days for the reply to your request.
Other than the RV/Truck exemptions granted by congress, unfortunately the stations must "grant" you permission to view out of town network stations. This is entirely at the discretion of the local affiliate stations, and we know of no functional appeal process.
Contact your satellite program provider (E.G.: DISH Network, DirecTV) for their exact policy and procedures for obtaining Network Channels Via Satellite. See the Satellite Home Viewers Act for more details.
Write to your representatives in congress! You CAN make a difference! "Censorship" and "Must Carry" rules have no place in the United States.
***If you're still reading this far, and you want to read more, click here :-)
ABC KRCR 755 Auditorium Dr, Redding CA 96001, Phone 530-243-7777 http://www.krcrtv.com/
CBS KHSL 3460 Silverbell Lane, Chico, CA 95973, Phone 530-342-0141 http://www.ncnnow.com/
NBC KNVN 3460 Silverbell Lane, Chico, CA 95973, Phone 530-893-2424 http://www.ncnnow.com/
Fox KCVU 300 Main Street, Chico, CA 95928, Phone 530-893-1234 http://fox30.com/
Information on LOCAL AREA Digital TV Broadcasts
Call Now! Chico: 893-3474 | Yuba/Sutter: 673-4119 | Toll Free: 800-870-8876
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Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Yuba, Sutter Counties, California, Satellite Internet, Wireless Internet, DISH Network, HughesNet, WildBlue, DIRECTV, Residential Commercial