Major networks on Dish

[Pmjohnson]

Does any one know why dish or direct can't broadcast the major networks in HD? Will this happen in the near future? People like me that are in small markets , Have only one hope for HD and that is DBS. I think it will be several years before our local stations broadcast HD and living in fringe areas, can't count on getting a good signal.

[music_beans]

DISH already carries WCBS and KCBS in HD at the 61.5 orbital location. The other networks are not carried yet.

[Greg Bimson]

Does any one know why dish or direct can't broadcast the major networks in HD? Will this happen in the near future?

Because just like an ESPN or an F/X or a TNT, Dish Network or DirecTV would have to contract with each network to provide an HD feed for their customers. The only current contract is between Dish Network and CBS. As to the terms of the contract, Dish Network can only distribute the CBS-HD feed if:

1) a subscriber lives in the market of a CBS owned-and-operated station, and that CBS station is the only one the subscriber can recieve over the air (notice I did not say CBS-HD)

2) a subscriber can receive a waiver from every CBS station that claims the subscriber is in their grade B broadcast area (notice I did not say CBS-HD)

3) a subscriber is in a "white-area", not able to receive a grade B signal from any CBS station

Personally, I believe, now that many cable operators, as well as DirecTV and Dish Network, have set the bar regarding HD. The operators are willing to pay for an HD channel, as long as it can be repackaged into an HD-only tier. At some point, the networks will probably have to look at changing their affiliate agreements so that they can broadcast their whole schedule in 1080i, to be made available for cablers and DBS.

[styxfix]

DISH already carries WCBS and KCBS in HD at the 61.5 orbital location. The other networks are not carried yet.

Actually, the west HD feed of CBS [KCBS] is only on the 148 orbital location.

[Pmjohnson]

Why just CBS? It looks like the other networks would want to get their HD product out to people who can't get it OTA.