Directv...locals Question

[kenwood]

Here's my dilemma.I have Directv with locals.When my dish was installed last October I was told that when the Summer came I would lose my locals because of the Satelite they are on and a pesty tree that may block the signal.Well it's springtime in New England and Whalah...I lost my locals due to this stupid tree.Now I have called Directv to recieve a waiver so I can recieve the four main affiliates out of New York. Which these stations are on a satelite I do get a signal for.Now, the woman told me that 99.9 % chance I will be approved for this waiver to recieve thse out of market stations. I will pay the standered 4.99 or 5.99 fee but instead of receiving the Providence Market stations I will recieve New York and possibly Los Angeles.The whole approval will take up to 4 weeks. I assume Directv has to ask each and every station in Providence if I can do this.She said most the cases like mine are almost always approved.Has anyone experienced this with Directv or Dish and if so what was your outcome. It's been a week now and I am just waiting for answers.

 

[ansky212]

Honestly I have never heard of being able to get a waiver for NYC/LA locals because of an obstructed satellite signal. Directv is usually really strict about who they offer these feeds to. Usually one of their criteria for offering the NYC/LA stations is that you are out of range for over-the-air reception of your local affiliates. I am guessing that you are able to pick up the Providence stations (and maybe Boston too) with an over-air antenna.

 

[KML0224]

Stupid question, but can that tree be trimmed or cut down at all? ???

 

[CrankyYankee]

A question I'd ask you would be:Are you wanting the local stations for local news/weather/etc and network stuff, or, are you just looking to get the networks?My experience with "trees-in-the-way" has been the offending tree(s) are on someone else's property and they are reluctant to trim their foliage for your benefit.A good antenna from Radio Shack might give you some local reception. (Save that monthly fee for locals!)If it's the "local" angle you're seeking and an antenna is not a possibility, another solution is to get "basic" or "lifeline" service from the local cable company. This should be around 14-18$ a month (yes more than you'd pay to Direct, but it would give you all the local channels plus the PEG access ones as well). However, if you got Direct because you absolutely dispise the local cable company, I guess that's not an option...

 

[Skynet74]

I had DISH Network a few years ago before they offered the LOCALS. I was able to get the Los Angeles stations which I really enjoyed. Getting waivers is probably not as easy anymore. I've also heard of people telling the Satellite company that they Live in Los Angeles but just use a mailing address in a different city where there summer home is at. The Satellite companies don't typically question you when you tell them you want your Dish in one city but your Bill sent to a different one. The Summer/Winter Home explanation is usually enough for them to say OK. Then whatever city you tell them the dish is in is the one where they will turn on the locals for. At least that's the way it used to be. Good Luck.

 

[RadioMan203]

Here's my dilemma.I have Directv with locals.When my dish was installed last October I was told that when the Summer came I would lose my locals because of the Satelite they are on and a pesty tree that may block the signal.Well it's springtime in New England and Whalah...I lost my locals due to this stupid tree.Now I have called Directv to recieve a waiver so I can recieve the four main affiliates out of New York. Which these stations are on a satelite I do get a signal for.Now, the woman told me that 99.9 % chance I will be approved for this waiver to recieve thse out of market stations. I will pay the standered 4.99 or 5.99 fee but instead of receiving the Providence Market stations I will recieve New York and possibly Los Angeles.The whole approval will take up to 4 weeks. I assume Directv has to ask each and every station in Providence if I can do this.She said most the cases like mine are almost always approved.Has anyone experienced this with Directv or Dish and if so what was your outcome. It's been a week now and I am just waiting for answers.

A friend of mine and I both have DirecTV and my friend had a similar situation happen and he was approved. While this is not all that common, it appears common enough that they grant exceptions like this.However, in some areas the local affiliates have the power to prevent this from happening. I don't know if this is part of the approval process or not, but this is what I had been told by the installer I used.Bill