To get local CW, I had to submit a waiver?

[isuquinndog]

Despite having a local CW station, DirecTV doesn't bring my local CW. So I called in and asked if I could get the national feed instead and they said they would submit a waiver on my behalf and I would hear something in the form of a letter in 45 business days.

What is that about?

[Newshawk]

Despite having a local CW station, DirecTV doesn't bring my local CW. So I called in and asked if I could get the national feed instead and they said they would submit a waiver on my behalf and I would hear something in the form of a letter in 45 business days.

What is that about?

Most likely, your CW station is on a subchannel of another station. With very rare exceptions, DirecTV does not carry any subchannels of any stations. The other reason is it might be a "cable only" channel. Where there is a dominant cable company (extremely high cable penetration), they may have contracted to carry the CW on a cable only channel. That cable company would deny DirecTV access to it as it would be considered a competitive edge to have a channel that DirecTV can't carry.

[isuquinndog]

It's a subchannel. So there is no hope of it ever being carried in the local channels? So why can't I get the national feed then?

[BattleZone]

It's a subchannel. So there is no hope of it ever being carried in the local channels? So why can't I get the national feed then?

You can get it if, and only if, your local CW grants you a waiver. That's the system the FCC put into effect to protect the advertising revenue of your local stations. It has nothing to do with DirecTV; they just have to follow the rules. Dish used to turn on channels without getting waivers, and they are now banned from giving ANYONE distant channels for any reason. So, DirecTV has to follow the rules carefully or lose the right to do it at all.

[isuquinndog]

Fair enough. Chances on getting the waiver? I mean, since their channel is never going to be in DTV, I would assume they would be ok with me getting the national feed?

[bobnielsen]

Fair enough. Chances on getting the waiver? I mean, since their channel is never going to be in DTV, I would assume they would be ok with me getting the national feed?

It's up to the station. If OTA reception is possible at your location the chances may be slim.

[tftc22]

It's a subchannel. So there is no hope of it ever being carried in the local channels?It's possible, but I don't think it's a very common practice. I do, however, live in one of the few areas where a subchannel is carried by Directv. The CW in Cincinnati is on a subchannel of CBS (12-2) and Directv carries it in its locals on channel 25.

[isuquinndog]

Well, I was denied. I assume the only way to get this now is OCA antenna right?

[evan_s]

Yup the only way to get it would be to put up an antenna that can pull in the signal. You don't mention what receiver you have but if it's an hr21 or higher you would need an AM21 also.

[BattleZone]

Start by putting in your address at http://www.tvfool.com, which will tell you where your signals come from and how strong they are, which together will give you an idea of what kind of antenna you'll need. Click the button for "post-digital-transition", as you don't want to buy an antenna for how things are today; you want one that's going to work with stuff after 2/17/09, the digital cut-over. Many stations are changing broadcast channels on that date (they'll keep their call letter and "official" (virtual) channel number, regardless of what actual channel they'll be broadcasting on).