FCC Eyes DISH's Second Dish Issues in Tulsa

[Steve Mehs]

The Federal Communications Commission sided with EchoStar on a second-dish skirmish involving local TV stations in Tulsa, but not before it raised issues about how the satellite TV company presents information to consumers about the delivery of local TV channels into the Oklahoma market.

The local TV carriage dispute involves Tulsa stations KGEB and KWHB. Both stations are delivered via a non full-CONUS satellite, which requires DISH Network viewers in Tulsa to obtain a second dish to receive the station feeds.

In a decision made public Thursday, the FCC's Media Bureau didn't grant the stations' request that it order EchoStar to carry their signals from the same satellite that delivers other local stations to the Tulsa market, something that would allow Tulsa subscribers to get their locals through one dish. However, the Bureau said it's concerned about EchoStar's efforts to ensure subscribers are aware of its free second dish offer.

In their complaints, the stations alleged that EchoStar’s Tulsa print and broadcast advertising and notices sent to customers present obstacles to learning about obtaining a free second dish. The stations also provided to the FCC declarations from individuals describing conversations with EchoStar customer service representatives about Tulsa locals, including one conversation with an EchoStar representative who allegedly said all local channels in the Tulsa market are available through one dish.

Because of the concerns, the FCC asked EchoStar to submit a compliance report within 30 days describing actions it has taken concerning its local TV efforts in Tulsa.

The Media Bureau is currently studying the second dish issue.

From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/feb2003/022103.shtm#one) (Used with Permission)

[Ken_F]

In a decision made public Thursday, the FCC's Media Bureau didn't grant the stations' request that it order EchoStar to carry their signals from the same satellite that delivers other local stations to the Tulsa market, something that would allow Tulsa subscribers to get their locals through one dish. However, the Bureau said it's concerned about EchoStar's efforts to ensure subscribers are aware of its free second dish offer.Well, if (and thats a big IF) that FCC stays consistent to the position in its final ruling, Echostar will be one happy bunch.

An order from the FCC requiring that all qualifying locals (beyond just the major networks and locals) for a given market to be delivered from the same satellite would substantially reduce the capacity for future programming, namely HDTV, at the 110 degree orbital location---until additional spot beam satellites were in place. Such a ruling would also force E* to either drop some local markets, and/or to substantially increase compression on existing locals (many of which are already overcompressed).

[JayeDVXIII]

Seems like these types of issues (the whole "you havne't done a good job of telling us that we can get something for free") only seems to happen in back-country states.

I"ve done telephone tech support for a national ISP for the last 4 years and I swear certain states have a higher volume of "dumbass" calls!

[adkeith]

The two stations filing a complaint are religous only and should not be included in must carry. I have an extra dish with lnb plus a sw64 switch and it is not worth hooking up to get reception. They whined a few years back and got TNN removed from the cable system here so they would have capacity to carry these channels that very few want.

[Jacob S]

I think that Dish does try to do certain things to try to prevent them from having to pay the costs of putting up a second dish. It will either cost them with the price of a second dish or another satellite to be launched, either way it is going to cost them, dont know which way will cost them more.

[tampa8]

Originally posted by Jacob S
I think that Dish does try to do certain things to try to prevent them from having to pay the costs of putting up a second dish. It will either cost them with the price of a second dish or another satellite to be launched, either way it is going to cost them, dont know which way will cost them more.

I DO NOT think dish "tries to do certain things to try to prevent them from having to pay the costs of putting up a second dish." First, the channels that you would need the second dish for show up on your guide and very clearly say a second dish is needed and will be provided free of charge - and a phone number is given. Second, the ad I have in my hand from the the Tampa Tribune also clearly (ok, small print but can be read) states a second free dish is needed for some Tampa locals. Third, when my friend switched from Direct to Dish the installer asked him up front if he wanted the second dish - free. I cannot attest to every installer and what they say, but it sure seems to me that Dish is not hiding this.