No locals provided by direct tv

[Peppersead]

I just moved to Idaho and didnt realize direct TV doesnt provide local channels here.

How they can offer TV service withotu CBS, NBC, ABC, Fox, ect is insane.

I tried petitioning the locals and they all denied my request to locals from a bigger city. What else can I do?

I would hate to break the 2 year contract I just signed to go elsewhere. Are there ANY OTHER OPTIONS for me to get locals from a different city?

[Canis Lupus]

Welcome Peppersead. Where in Idaho have you moved and which type of locals are you asking about - SD or HD?

[ladannen]

I tried petitioning the locals and they all denied my request to locals from a bigger city
They probably did this because you can get the local channels with an antenna.
Type in your address here to check on OTA strength in your area:
http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29

[Mertzen]

They probably don't since it is not cost effective to provide locals to an area where their amount of subs isn't high enough to warrant the cost. OTA is the way to go.

[Peppersead]

im talking about SD... i also tried hooking up an antena... i got one channel, and the signal strength was still crap lol. Fuzzy.

[Canis Lupus]

An answer about where in Idaho and HD or SD is an important one in this case, as there are a few things in flux here at the moment.

1. Boise HD locals are supposed to light up next month.
2. Installers are still putting up 72.5 dishes for SD locals here despite the impending doom of that satellite.
3. Dual illumination of SD locals on the 103 (or wherever) has not happened yet.
4. Apparently DirecTV is mandating support for its customers in areas (like Twin Falls and Pocatello/IdahoFalls) that will "never" get HD LiLs, with proper equipment for receiving whatever OTA they can (i.e. a free AM21 for an HR without an OTA tuner built-in).

[Canis Lupus]

OK where in Idaho are you located and is this a new install?

im talking about SD... i also tried hooking up an antena... i got one channel, and the signal strength was still crap lol. Fuzzy.

[Peppersead]

I live in Pocatello... i moved here in early october and had it installed. my parents pushed me to get HD, but i make NO money, haha, so I figured I would stick w. SD, didnt even bother looking into HD.

[harsh]

If LIL service is imperative, you should have gone with CATV or DISH Network.

Both of the remaining markets are well below the DMA ranking waterline.

[Canis Lupus]

OK and when DirecTV installed, they installed only one dish and not 2? They should have installed a 2nd dish for the 72.5 degree SAT for your locals.

The good news is, local channels coming from that obscure SAT are moving to one of the main SATs you currently receive from your main dish, so it's only a matter of time before your SD locals will appear.

[Mertzen]

OK and when DirecTV installed, they installed only one dish and not 2? They should have installed a 2nd dish for the 72.5 degree SAT for your locals.

The good news is, local channels coming from that obscure SAT are moving to one of the main SATs you currently receive from your main dish, so it's only a matter of time before your SD locals will appear.
Unless they are going to 110 or 119 new equipment is probably needed unless he has R22s.

[Canis Lupus]

Yeah hopefully because it was a new install it also was comprised of new equipment. Although not having the 72.5 dish installed, if true, is a bit disturbing as is.

[LameLefty]

Unless they are going to 110 or 119 new equipment is probably needed unless he has R22s.

That's a very good point. Those relatively rare DMAs getting new SD-only locals need an MPEG4-compatible receiver (e.g., the R22).

[w6fxj]

I live in Pocatello... i moved here in early october and had it installed. my parents pushed me to get HD, but i make NO money, haha, so I figured I would stick w. SD, didnt even bother looking into HD.
If you live anywhere near Pocatello, you should have no problem receiving any of the local stations here: http://www.dexknows.com/search.ds?what=Television%20Stations%20%26%20Broad cast%20Companies&where=pocatello%2Cid&newSearch=true&from=7OSMQ If rabbit ears do not work, think about an outside antenna. If you do get HD, the DirecTV receivers can receive digital OTA broadcasts if you have one of the older H20 or HR20 models. Otherwise get an AM-21 to add to the later models.

If you are located too far away from Pocatello to receive their OTA signals, apply to DirecTV for a signal check to prove that. If you can not get a usable signal with an outside antenna DirecTV can offer you the west coast stations out of LA.

[JLucPicard]

Peppersead,

A HUGE Welcome to DBSTalk! :welcome_s

Which receiver(s) did you get with your installation?

If, in fact, you would be getting your locals using the 72.5 dish, call DirecTV and see if that should have been included in your installation. Installations are warranteed for 90 days, so you shouldn't have to pay to get that added if needed.

Ask lots of questions, give lots of information - the folks here are the BEST at helping people work out solutions!

[Cmnore]

Welcome fellow Ida-ho-ho. Either an AM-21 or the 72.5 degree dish should solve your issue.