12-28-01, 05:01 AM
DBS providers are beginning to roll out expanded local TV packages this week, in time for must-carry mandates that kick in Jan. 1.
The must-carry rules, which have been challenged by satellite TV interests in court, require providers to carry all local TV stations in the markets they serve.
DirecTV, which is getting a lot of its must-carry support from a new satellite it launched in November, debuted revised local TV packages Thursday for the 41 markets it serves. The expanded offerings include local PBS, UPN and WB stations, along with independent channels. Network affiliates for ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC also are part of the packages.
Most channels appeared on the DBS service Thursday, while others are expected to be carried by the DBS provider beginning in January. DirecTV said it now carries more than 400 local channels in 41 markets, all delivered from its core orbital slot at 101 degrees.
DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said there are a number of stations that aren't part of the expanded local TV packages. "It's really a hodgepodge of stations and reasons" as to why they aren't being carried, he said.
"We're carrying all the stations that we're legally required to carry by Jan. 1. Some of the stations missed deadlines to elect carriage or did not elect to be carried by the DBS provider," Mercer said of the missing channels. Others were delivering duplicative programming, while some were still working on delivering a quality signal to DirecTV, he added.
EchoStar said its DISH Network DBS service will offer a single package of UPN, WB, PBS and popular independent channels, together with community interest and other local channels, beginning in January. Network affiliate feeds also are part of the packages.
EchoStar's DISH Network delivers locals to 36 markets.
EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen said the company has worked hard to comply with must-carry rules. However, "our ability to expand the number of markets we serve with local channels by satellite is still severely hampered by our limited satellite bandwidth and our obligation to comply with these must carry provisions," he said.
"The best solution is the proposed merger of EchoStar and Hughes Electronics, which will allow EchoStar to provide local channels by satellite to over 100 markets."
From <a href="http://www.skyreport.com" target=none>SkyReport</a> (Used with permission)
The must-carry rules, which have been challenged by satellite TV interests in court, require providers to carry all local TV stations in the markets they serve.
DirecTV, which is getting a lot of its must-carry support from a new satellite it launched in November, debuted revised local TV packages Thursday for the 41 markets it serves. The expanded offerings include local PBS, UPN and WB stations, along with independent channels. Network affiliates for ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC also are part of the packages.
Most channels appeared on the DBS service Thursday, while others are expected to be carried by the DBS provider beginning in January. DirecTV said it now carries more than 400 local channels in 41 markets, all delivered from its core orbital slot at 101 degrees.
DirecTV spokesman Robert Mercer said there are a number of stations that aren't part of the expanded local TV packages. "It's really a hodgepodge of stations and reasons" as to why they aren't being carried, he said.
"We're carrying all the stations that we're legally required to carry by Jan. 1. Some of the stations missed deadlines to elect carriage or did not elect to be carried by the DBS provider," Mercer said of the missing channels. Others were delivering duplicative programming, while some were still working on delivering a quality signal to DirecTV, he added.
EchoStar said its DISH Network DBS service will offer a single package of UPN, WB, PBS and popular independent channels, together with community interest and other local channels, beginning in January. Network affiliate feeds also are part of the packages.
EchoStar's DISH Network delivers locals to 36 markets.
EchoStar CEO Charlie Ergen said the company has worked hard to comply with must-carry rules. However, "our ability to expand the number of markets we serve with local channels by satellite is still severely hampered by our limited satellite bandwidth and our obligation to comply with these must carry provisions," he said.
"The best solution is the proposed merger of EchoStar and Hughes Electronics, which will allow EchoStar to provide local channels by satellite to over 100 markets."
From <a href="http://www.skyreport.com" target=none>SkyReport</a> (Used with permission)