DMA mis-match between DISH and DirecTV

[elaclair]

I'm getting ready to move to Eureka Springs AR. soon and was kinda jazzed when I heard that we'll be getting our locals in HD shortly from DirecTV. Since Eureka is fairly close to Springfield MO. I was surprized that it's part of the Ft. Smith DMA. So, for curiosity sake I checked the DISH locals for the area and they are in the Sprinfield MO. DMA. Now, I'm not complaining mind you....the selection is better for the Ft. Smith DMA, but was wondering why the difference.

Anyone know?

[SamC]

The DMAs are made up by Neilsen, and are based on what city's channels each county watches most. Since cable in areas like that often carries multiple combinations of affiliates from multiple cites, the fringe counties can move from one DMA to another from year to year.

DBS has the option of accepting the new map, or freezing the map as is. Apparently in your case one has done the former and one the later.