If DISH has my locals in HD, why doesn't DirecTV?

[Sammy2368]

I'm in the Lexington, KY market and noticed that DISH Network is now offering my locals in HD. Why isn't DirecTV? It's not even on their website for upcoming areas... :mad:

[bonscott87]

Because they don't have a contract to do it yet. :)

[roadrunner1782]

I'm sure D* is working on it or will be soon, but it's the same for some DMA's with Dish that have locals in SD but not HD. I'm lucky I'm in a DMA that D* has both, with the exception of PBS but I never watch it anyways!!!

[bonscott87]

Also there are lots of markets that DirecTV has HD locals in that Dish doesn't. Just a matter of contracts, timing and how many subs they think they'll gain in one market over another.

[Sammy2368]

Thanks for all the quick replies... Question though, what's a "DMA"?

[HDRoberts]

DMA=Designated Market Area.

Dish chose Lexington as a good place to launch most likely because DirecTV doesn't carry HD locals. Why match the competition in one DMA when you can one-up them in another.

[evan_s]

It can be a number of factors. It might be negotiating contracts with the channels. It might be infrastructure to handle the channel, EG local receive facilities, uplink capacity etc. It could be space on a appropriately aimed spot beam. Could be based on the number of sub in the area, the HD penetration and the predicted subs.

With that said DirecTV has been rolling out a lot of locals and seems to be planning to continue that with it's next planned sat launch. I'm sure HD locals will come sooner or later.

[Sammy2368]

Well, my contract is up in June. We'll cross the sooner or later bridge then. If I don't have them by June and/or the Lexington, KY market isn't on the "Coming soon" list, I might have to take the jump to DISH. Of course depending on pricing, and packages, etc...

Thanks again for all the information!!

[Satelliteracer]

I'm in the Lexington, KY market and noticed that DISH Network is now offering my locals in HD. Why isn't DirecTV? It's not even on their website for upcoming areas... :mad:

Lexington is scheduled for HD in 2009.


Sammy, why is it that some markets D* has HD and E* doesn't? :D Has a lot to do with how they design the spot beams on the satellites, contractual agreements, etc, etc.