DISH Ready to Add Anchorage Locals?

[Steve Mehs]

Could EchoStar's DISH Network be close to delivering local TV channels to some of its subscribers in the vast northern frontier of Alaska?

According to local reports, EchoStar officials have been in Anchorage during the past few months talking to local station owners about carrying their signals. An EchoStar spokesman confirmed that Anchorage is among the few cities on the list of DMAs the company is considering for local TV packages. But the company hasn't made a final determination which cities will be added to DISH Network's local TV mix, he said.

EchoStar added new capacity earlier this year with the launch of additional satellites, which in turn has allowed the company to expand its local TV services. New local TV services include Honolulu, which was added during the summer.

From SkyReport (http://www.skyreport.com/skyreport/oct2002/100702.shtm#two) (Used with Permission)

[JohnH]

Well, Alaska(Anchorage) locals were supposed to be one of the first items when EchoStar 7 went online. Spotbeam was reported on up there a couple of times, but nothing came of it.
Haven't heard anything from posters up that way about it for some time now.

[AkShark]

I spoke with my local HT guru, he said they are still in negotiations with the local affiliates and the owners of the fiber optic cable for the down link.

We do currently have a spot beam on transponder 9 at the 119 location.

[mistcove]

Originally posted by AkShark
I spoke with my local HT guru, he said they are still in negotiations with the local affiliates and the owners of the fiber optic cable for the down link.

We do currently have a spot beam on transponder 9 at the 119 location.

What is your readings there? i am in SE and it's weak but here until it rains.
bob

[AkShark]

Here in Anchorage my signal strengh is great on the spot beam, 120-125:hi:

80-90's on other transponders

[Pat A]

I am getting a signal of 125 with a 1.0m dish here in Anchorage. The spot has been up for a couple of months now, but it is not broadcasting anything. I talked with my local dealer a couple of weeks ago, and he said that Dish is still in talks with the local stations. Supposedly, the backhaul arrangements via fiber are already in place.

[mistcove]

Originally posted by Pat A
I am getting a signal of 125 with a 1.0m dish here in Anchorage. The spot has been up for a couple of months now, but it is not broadcasting anything. I talked with my local dealer a couple of weeks ago, and he said that Dish is still in talks with the local stations. Supposedly, the backhaul arrangements via fiber are already in place.


looks like i am on the fringe then 55 with a .9 m dish
45 24 " dish

[TNGTony]

How quickly we all forget. I think it was during the June or July Charlie Chat this year that Charlie said that the had planned to launch Anchorage that summer, but they could not get "equitable" agreements with enough stations to make sence carrying the market. Now...seeing as Fresno, CA launched without TWO major and one minor networks, I wonder of they just had a hard time with THREE major networks up there in the land of the Polar Bear.

See ya
Tony

[LadyTalia]