direct tv stalling me over local HD and why?

[bat21]

when I discoverd cbs and abc are not provided in HD with my 4 day old HD package subscription I called to disconect my service stating they mislead me. They have promissed to try to get me to those chanels but it would take some time. I thinking they are stalling me and they will not be able to pull those chanels from another market just for me.

what are they up to?

[JLucPicard]

bat21,

Welcome to DBSTalk! :welcome_s

If there are other HD locals already turned on in your area, its a pretty good bet that D* is negotiating carriage contracts with your CBS and ABC affiliates as well. Sometimes those are close to agreement, sometimes the station owners are stonewalling the process or making demands that just aren't in D*s best interest - or even close to a compromise position. They could be very close to being able to bring you those additional channels.

That being said, I don't really know that information regarding the status of such negotiations is available to the CSRs. If some CSR is saying that they (D*) will be able to pull those networks for some other market for you, they are sorely mistaken. I can guarantee you that any progress made on the carriage front will be on behalf of the entire DMA and D* will do nothing strictly for you alone.

Someone in or familiar with the Portland market may be able to speak more directly to the situation, but short of agreements with those affiliates, the only possible solution would be if you are eligible for waivers - that's a HUGE 'if' and I wouldn't count on it.

Beware what you are told by the CSRs (and I say that with all due repsect to the CSRs that visit here - we are all aware that there are a large number of CSRs that are less 'learned' and make widely inaccurate statements sometimes).

[Tom Robertson]

Welcome to the forums, Bat21. :welcome_s

JlucPicard is right on. You can also get more information in the two threads at the top of the forum that describe who to write/contact to get things going and also about what is currently available in your city.

Cheers,
Tom

[bat21]

so when I disconnect service any idea of how I will be treated, money wise.

[bat21]

has anyone had experience canceling direct tv afer a few days of installation. I was told the will make me eat the $199 equipment charge and then want $289 for cancelation fee. I wonder what else they will try to charge me for. Of course i will fight them over any charges. They have a missleading web site in regarrds to there HD local channel and I was fooled.

[bonscott87]

Not misleading at all. All you need to do is put your zip code in and it will tell you what's available.

http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/localChannels.jsp?assetId=900018

This page clearly tells me that my NBC is not available in HD via DirecTV. Of course the reason is that they are owned by LIN which I believe is the same reason why at least one of your Portland stations are not up. LIN are *******s when it comes to HD carriage on both Sat and cable.

[harsh]

so when I disconnect service any idea of how I will be treated, money wise.If you do it soon, you should be alright. If you wait, you'll lose a lot of money.

Because DirecTV's website indicates that only KGW and KPTV are carried, that part falls in your lap for not doing your homework. If someone else told you that they carried KATU or KOIN, your beef is with them.

It has been reported that KATU's parent company has come to an agreement with DirecTV, but it has been some time since then and they're still not up and running.

Is there any chance that you can get the KATU and/or KOIN via an antenna of some sort?

Don't forget that even when DirecTV gets these two channels, they still don't offer KOPB (this is a big loss), KPXG (Ion), KRCW (CW) and KPDX (MyNT).

[prushing]

you have 3 business days to cancel any contract, after that you have to pay what is in the contract

[Tom Robertson]

you have 3 business days to cancel any contract, after that you have to pay what is in the contract

Welcome to the forums, prushing! :welcome_s

Tom

[harsh]

Of course the reason is that they are owned by LIN which I believe is the same reason why at least one of your Portland stations are not up. LIN are *******s when it comes to HD carriage on both Sat and cable.KATU is owned by Fisher Communications and KOIN was owned by Emmis, but was sold to SJL Broadcast Group.

As I've noted before, Dish Network carries all four.

[bat21]

when you go to the HD page then select check available service all the local chanels come up and to me look available. I do see what you are saying. on the far right colum the catagory is HD chanel #'S, it looked more like they are giving a chanel a number the bulk of the page being linked to the HD page lead me to believe the channels where provided. Yes I guess I was wrong.

today is my 3rd business day does, everyone agree with the 3 day call by prushing

[bonscott87]

Up to you. If you have an antenna you'll get all your locals in HD and for free no less.

[naijai]

Yes you only have 3 business days and you had better call if not you are in but to get the channels you are missing is a simple as getting a OTA antenna connecting to the back of the dvr and bingo