Why your local channel isn't in HD and who to complain to!

[bobnielsen]

KTLA is the CW station in Los Angeles. KTAL is NBC for Shreveport.

[Shawn Parr]

KTLA is the CW station in Los Angeles. KTAL is NBC for Shreveport.

Sorry, typing too fast.

[David Carmichael]

The NBC station in Wichita was owned by Montecito, which I believe is now owned by New Vision. It is Montecito why DirecTV had not added KOIN in Portland, Oregon, to the local package there. So this appears to be the same issue....

Everything I can find says that KSNW is owned by "SJL Broadcast Management Corp. ", which owns "Montecito Broadcast Group, LLC"

The local KSNW 'GM' Al Buch in a email stated:
David -- Direct TV tells us our signal is some sort of test phase before being released to the satellite. We're trying to find out what that means, but I'm confident it will be up soon. Thx for checking. al

But this reply was before the reply from 'DirecTV', so I forwared the DirecTV reply to Al :
Al - Thanks for your reply... I think that you might find the DirecTV reply below kind of interesting..... "'... we don't have plans to add NBC, PBS, CW and MNT in HD at this time, ...'"
and his reply was:
David -- thanks for the info. It is more than interesting. Al


--David

[Greg Bimson]

For Shreveport:

KTBS - ABC - Wray
KSLA - CBS - Raycom
KTAL - NBC - Nexstar
KMSS - Fox - Communications Corporation

DirecTV has a carriage contract with Raycom. DirecTV does NOT have a contract with Nexstar. It is unknown what DirecTV has with the other two stations.

[harsh]

Everything I can find says that KSNW is owned by "SJL Broadcast Management Corp. ", which owns "Montecito Broadcast Group, LLC"Portland, Oregon's CBS affiliate was owned by Montecito. Don't hold your breath. Montecito seems to be more interested in trading stations than actually doing anything functional with them.

[Greg Bimson]

Well, Montecito has "traded" KOIN and the channel in Wichita to New Vision. New Vision also owns the CBS station in Birmingham, which is on DirecTV. However, when DirecTV launched the Birmingham local channels, the Birmingham CBS station was owned by Media General.

I suspect we will see the need for a new contract between New Vision and DirecTV. And I believe this would be one of the first contracts to be completed out of the broadcasters that are not being cooperative with DirecTV (LIN, Nexstar).

[fineware]

[B]Thank you for contacting us! We are hoping to be in HD on DirecTV in January. Thank you for watching the CW Washington!

Anyone know what's going on with this?

[lucky13]

So now that Ch 50 in DC is the CW national SD feed on DirecTV, where's our HD version of the channel in the DC DMA?

Presumably, DirecTV and the Ch 50 were able to conclude a national SD carriage agreement. What's holding up the local HD deal?

[Greg Bimson]

Nothing is holding up the local HD deal for CW in DC. It is owned by Tribune, so there is a contract in place. Now it is a matter of delivering the station through DirecTV.

[lucky13]

Nothing is holding up the local HD deal for CW in DC. It is owned by Tribune, so there is a contract in place. Now it is a matter of delivering the station through DirecTV.

Don't see why it can't be lit up now. Should be enough room on the spotbeam.
Maybe there's a national HD carriage deal pending with Tribune, and they'll go live together?

[Greg Bimson]

DirecTV and Tribune already have an agreement. WPIX in NY was one of the latest to come on board. So I don't know why it isn't up already.

[dyker]

So if a NBC channel isn't carried HD in my zip (but the SD is), and all the other networks (ABC/FOX/CBS) are HD, can I get a NBC HD national feed from DirecTV? If so is it costly?

[harsh]

So if a NBC channel isn't carried HD in my zip (but the SD is), and all the other networks (ABC/FOX/CBS) are HD, can I get a NBC HD national feed from DirecTV? If so is it costly?You can get the national feed only if your local NBC station gives you a waiver. It doesn't matter if they offer an HD feed or not. You won't know one way or the other unless you try.

[keithtd]

Noticed Dish has my DMA listed for HD Locals. D* swung me from Dish with SD locals years back....might work in reverse if D* can't get their act together for HD!

And yes, HD locals mean that much. I'm counting on D11 to save the day!

[inkahauts]

Noticed Dish has my DMA listed for HD Locals. D* swung me from Dish with SD locals years back....might work in reverse if D* can't get their act together for HD!

And yes, HD locals mean that much. I'm counting on D11 to save the day!

What city are you in?

[RAD]

I wonder if LIN broadcasting is changing their asking price for retransmission rights since it looks like E* might have come to agreement with them, see http://www.satelliteguys.us/1268498-post84.html . I also saw an uplink report for E* today that showed KXAN in Austin, another LIN station, showing up along with other Austin HD stations on E12. This would be a real shocker, IMHO, if E* could come to an agreement since they're know for asking to low program charges and D* can't come to agreement.

[Newshawk]

What city are you in?

Let me give you a hint... market 42. <sigh>

[keithtd]

Let me give you a hint... market 42. <sigh>

Sorry, did'nt mean to infringe on your board!<grin>

[Malibu13]

Sorry, did'nt mean to infringe on your board!<grin>

No infringement that i can see :) and you have the right to be as concerned for your DMA, just as others are. :)

[Ed Campbell]

I wonder if LIN broadcasting is changing their asking price for retransmission rights since it looks like E* might have come to agreement with them, see http://www.satelliteguys.us/1268498-post84.html . I also saw an uplink report for E* today that showed KXAN in Austin, another LIN station, showing up along with other Austin HD stations on E12. This would be a real shocker, IMHO, if E* could come to an agreement since they're know for asking to low program charges and D* can't come to agreement.

DISH picked up KRQE, the CBS station in Abq, today. Another LIN station. Creeps.

My wife doesn't especially mind the Silver Sensor sitting on the HR20-700; but, when the PBD and CBS HD feeds come through the bird, she'd be happier at the critter disappearing.

[Indiana627]

DISH picked up KRQE, the CBS station in Abq, today. Another LIN station. Creeps.

My wife doesn't especially mind the Silver Sensor sitting on the HR20-700; but, when the PBD and CBS HD feeds come through the bird, she'd be happier at the critter disappearing.
See http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=122614

[Brian Hanasky]

We don't even have SD locals in my area yet so HD locals......

WTOV-9 NBD Steubenville, OH
WTRF-7 CBS Wheeling, WV
WTOV-4 ABC Pittsburgh
WPGH FOX Pittsburgh

[weger.j]

Anyone in Tucson, AZ please email our local CW and request HD programing to be available. Our local CW affiliate (KWBA) is owned by Cascade Broadcasting Group. They also own the Louisville's CW affiliate WBKI.

[Newshawk]

Sorry, did'nt mean to infringe on your board!<grin>

No, you're not infringing. It's just that I was afraid we'd have the 2,618th chorus of "When will they give HD locals to Norfolk".

[geoallen]

I have just heard on a local TV channel, here in the Hampton Roads,Va area -Dish Network will begin to carry the Fox and NBC stations in High Definition .
George

[keithtd]

http://www.lintv.com/news/images/PDFs/news_releases/LIN%20TV%20and%20DISH%20Network%20Reach%20Retransm ission%20Agreement%20-%203-13-08.pdf

[lucky13]

I'm traveling for a week, so last night I was scanning through the program guide for anything the ToDo list might have missed. I saw the HD symbol on the prime-time shows (and others) for Channel 50 in DC, starting in a few days.

Yes, this was on Ch 50, not 50-1.

Thanks, DirecTV.

[Michael D'Angelo]

I'm traveling for a week, so last night I was scanning through the program guide for anything the ToDo list might have missed. I saw the HD symbol on the prime-time shows (and others) for Channel 50 in DC, starting in a few days.

Yes, this was on Ch 50, not 50-1.

Thanks, DirecTV.

Yes DC was one of the few markets the started receiving CW HD on Wednesday.

[lucky13]

Yes DC was one of the few markets the started receiving CW HD on Wednesday.

Hmm. After I "discovered" this, I checked my recording of last night's Smallville. It was SD.

The HD symbols don't appear for a few days, at least as far as I noticed last night (it was the wee hours of the AM, so maybe I missed something).

[Michael D'Angelo]

Hmm. After I "discovered" this, I checked my recording of last night's Smallville. It was SD.

The HD symbols don't appear for a few days, at least as far as I noticed last night (it was the wee hours of the AM, so maybe I missed something).

Any series links you have set for CW SD will need to be deleted and setup again for CW HD if you want the HD version.

[lucky13]

Any series links you have set for CW SD will need to be deleted and setup again for CW HD if you want the HD version.

D'ohh!

That's why I come here.
I have the SD dupes hidden, and the guide dutifully swapped channels.
I forgot that the links need to be updated.
Another Luthorcorp conspiracy!

[MountainMan10]

CW HD available in Denver now!

[TheRatPatrol]

CW HD available in Denver now!
Here in Phoenix now too.

[RAD]

Since E* and LIN have come to an agreement I sent D* an e-mail today asking:

Dish network has recently said they've come to retransmission rights agreements with LIN Television, which owns KXAN and KNVA in Austin for their High Defintion channels. Dish has also said that in April they'll be adding Austin HD locals via satellite. Is there any progress being made between LIN and DirecTV to get retransmission rights so you can also add at lease KXAN to our current HD channels via satellite?Also, do you have a date yet for when KLRU, our local PBS stations HD channel will be
added since DirecTV and PBS have come to an agreement for retransmision of PBS channels?Thanks

Do they even bother reading e-mails that are sent in, D*'s response:

Thanks for writing. I know that HD programming is important to you and we're committed to offering the best possible HD experience to you. We would love to provide all of your local channels in HD but satellite capacity doesn’t allow us to do that yet. However, we continue to expand our HD capacity and hope to offer more HD in your area in the near future.

[noneroy]

Gents. I've been away for a while taking care of some stuff. I'll be updating this thread shortly to reflect the changes. I apologize for it getting out of date.

[Newshawk]

Not meant to rain on anyone's parade, but...

Has anybody considered the possibility that LIN and Dish entered into a "sweetheart" deal and that this might cause LIN to be even more stubborn in their negotiations with DirecTV (not to mention cable TV systems)? I point specifically to the section in the press release that says,

In addition, DISH Network and LIN TV have reached a new marketing and promotional agreement to encourage consumers to switch to DISH Network if LIN TV’s local station signal is removed from a cable system. The parties will jointly market LIN TV’s availability on DISH Network so viewers will have the opportunity to continue watching their favorite local news and programming.

LIN needed some way to put pressure on cable systems (such as the one in Austin, TX) that want to drop their stations. Charlie was looking for an edge over DirecTV. To me, it sounds like a marriage of convenience, not a sea change in LIN's attitude.

[Indiana627]

Not meant to rain on anyone's parade, but...

Has anybody considered the possibility that LIN and Dish entered into a "sweetheart" deal and that this might cause LIN to be even more stubborn in their negotiations with DirecTV?
I've been told that E* got the same deal that has been offered to D*. I have no way of verifying that, but also have no reason to not believe the person who told me this.

[nollchr]

I've been told that E* got the same deal that has been offered to D*. I have no way of verifying that, but also have no reason to not believe the person who told me this.

So assuming that is true, do we think that this was Dish "caving" into LIN?

[Indiana627]

So assuming that is true, do we think that this was Dish "caving" into LIN?
Perhaps E* did it to try to stop the hemorrhaging of falling behind in HD?

[Newshawk]

Perhaps E* did it to try to stop the hemorrhaging of falling behind in HD?

So assuming that is true, do we think that this was Dish "caving" into LIN?

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

[christo76]

Does anyone know of any plans for adding Columbia, SC channels in HD? I got my Bro to switch from cable.... unfortunately now he does not get locals in HD. I am hoping D11 will bring them, but will still like an estimated timeline to tell him (ballpark.. late summer/fall/before end of year).

He of course could only get then HR21, so an OTA is out of the question.

[quarky42]

Would someone be willing to PM me some info on how I can find out who the parent company of my local channels are? I'll try doing some searching on Google, I just didn't know if there was something that would make it easier to find? (like specific key words I should be searching for?)

I would like to be able to get my local channels (Las Cruces, NM) in HD.

Most of my local channels actually come from El Paso, TX and they are available over the air in HD.

Also, if there is some thing that I missed, please feel free to send me the link. I don't mind reading... I just may not have seen what I needed to know.

Thanks.

[Indiana627]

Just go to each of your local channels websites and usually at the bottom will be a link to their parent company. Or at least it will list the parent company. At least that's true with my local channels.

[quarky42]

Thanks. I found that Wikipedia also had some good information and I could quickly make a list of the companies that I will have to contact.

[rickeame]

In the Seattle area, I'm waiting for PBS and CW. It sucks to see Smallville in SD. :)

[Newshawk]

In the Seattle area, I'm waiting for PBS and CW. It sucks to see Smallville in SD. :)

Smallville is on PBS? :D

[Grydlok]

So this List needs to be updated!

[n2deep2bn]

I would just like to see my locals of directv then we can work on getting them in HD. I'm in the Sioux City market.

[DCSholtis]

Cleveland waiting for its MyNetwork to be added by D* in HD. We got the CW HD feed a few weeks ago. Suppose its time to email Raycrap....errrr Raycom.

[Dolly]

I know one of my locals is available in HD because they do ads about the local cable company having the Channel in HD :mad: It took ages for us to get our SD locals so I'm sure not going to hold my breathe waiting on HD locals from D*. But it does kind of burn me that some little cable company has a local in HD while D* hasn't given us any HD :icon_lame

[easton]

I just found out that KOIN, the Portland CBS affiliate is now available in HD on DirecTV. This is fantastic news.

[geophysguy]

I was told by DirecTV that the Shreveport LA area would have local HD by Sept or Oct '08. I looked on the DirecTV link that lists upcoming local HD areas and Shreveport is not listed. Does anyone know why the area would be removed from the list. The following are the owners of the local stations:
For Shreveport:

KTBS - ABC - Wray
KSLA - CBS - Raycom
KTAL - NBC - Nexstar
KMSS - Fox - Communications Corporation

DirecTV has a carriage contract with Raycom. DirecTV does NOT have a contract with Nexstar. It is unknown what DirecTV has with the other two stations.

Thanks

[dberger]

As usual the consumer is getting screwed. All but CBS is offered in HD in Southern Wisconsin due to WDJT,Ch 58 Milwaukee, subsidiary of Weigel Broadcasting in Chicago refusing to deal with DTV. They use the consumer since they have refused giving me a waiver which would allow DTV to bring in WCBS from NY in HD until negotiations are finalized. They have been fighting for years at our expense. Sort of sounds like what Wall Street did to the country and the world.

Get used to it. Ain't freedom grand?


ben

[ktk0117]

As usual the consumer is getting screwed. All but CBS is offered in HD in Southern Wisconsin due to WDJT,Ch 58 Milwaukee, subsidiary of Weigel Broadcasting in Chicago refusing to deal with DTV. They use the consumer since they have refused giving me a waiver which would allow DTV to bring in WCBS from NY in HD until negotiations are finalized. They have been fighting for years at our expense. Sort of sounds like what Wall Street did to the country and the world.

Get used to it. Ain't freedom grand?


ben

Yea, but if you get cable, you'll have both HD & SD feeds, so why the bias against D*?

That's what pisses me off.