DIRECTV Local HD Programming Now Available in 59 Markets

[Earl Bonovich]

DIRECTV Local HD Programming Now Available in 59 Markets Representing More Than 70 Percent of U.S. TV Households


Local HD Channels Roll Out Today in Oklahoma City and Santa Barbara, Calif.

WHAT: DIRECTV, Inc., the nation's leading satellite television service provider, is now delivering local HD programming to customers in Oklahoma City and Santa Barbara, Calif. DIRECTV now offers local HD broadcast channels in 59 cities, representing more than 70 percent of U.S. TV households.

....


See the rest of the press release at: DirecTV Investor Relations (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=986897&highlight=)

[markrubi]

DIRECTV Local HD Programming Now Available in 59 Markets Representing More Than 70 Percent of U.S. TV Households



See the rest of the press release at: DirecTV Investor Relations (http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127160&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=986897&highlight=)

It's better than nothing, but what gives? Only 2 stations? What is the likelyhood of more being added?

[harsh]

It's better than nothing, but what gives? Only 2 stations? What is the likelyhood of more being added?That depends largely on who owns the hold-out stations. Some conglomerates like LIN, Fisher and Montecito seem to be holding out. See here (http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=68497) for a complete discussion.

In my case, the missing statons are the ABC (Fisher) and CBS (Montecito) affiliates, so it isn't better than nothing.

[Newshawk]

One of the holdouts in OKC is Griffin Communications, who is also the only holdout in Tulsa. I went on their website (www.griffincommunications.net) and founf the e-mail address to David Griffin, the president and CEO of Griffin. I sent him the following e-mail:

Dear Mr. Griffin,

My wife and I moved from New Jersey to Broken Arrow in February of 2004 and we soon found your KOTV 6’s “The News On 6” to be the best newscast in Tulsa. Since then, we have turned to KOTV time after time when we needed to learn of local news or weather issues. We also enjoy many CBS programs through KOTV, as we are fans of NCIS, The Unit, Jericho and all the various CSI programs.

Our access to KOTV is through DirecTV, as we have subscribed to this service since moving into our own house in mid 2004. We enjoy the wide variety of programming selections the DirecTV offers, but still find ourselves coming back to KOTV for a large part of our viewing week.

We are planning to upgrade to High Definition in the near future. In doing research on DirecTV’s HD offerings, we have found that they offer local channels in HD over the satellite here in the Tulsa market. We also found out that KOTV is the only station of the “Big Four” networks that is not offered in HD. We then heard that the Oklahoma City locals were activated today, but your OKC station is not on the list either.

What we would like to know is when will KOTV (and KWTV) be available on DirecTV? If not soon, then may we ask why they are not available?

Looking forward to your reply, we would like to thank you in advance for your answer.
I'll post his reply when I get it.

[beavis]

Sinclair owns Fox and Hearst-Argyle owns ABC in OKC, and yet those are the 2 that aren't carried by Cox. Weird.

[mthompso105]

I am getting Locals for FOX, ABC & CBS in HD in the Santa Barbara DMA

[Elistan98]

unless you live outside the HD beam even if you live in the HD DMA.

[cb7214]

any word on the next markets??? Flint MI???

[ScoBuck]

any word on the next markets??? Flint MI???

Ft Myers May 23rd. No other markets have definite dates yet - but I think its reasonable to say that the remaining 8 of 10 recently listed will be on before end of June.

[cb7214]

Ft Myers May 23rd. No other markets have definite dates yet - but I think its reasonable to say that the remaining 8 of 10 recently listed will be on before end of June.

:D :joy: :icon_kiff :welcome: :icon_da: :jump3:

[venuslight]

Any rumblings about DMA #63 Lexington, KY ?

The press release says HD locals in 75 markets by the end of the year...

[psychobabbler]

Gee, I'd just like my locals in SD, much less HD. But congrats to those who D* knows exists. If only they knew how many people choose Dishnetwork only because of that issue...

[Newshawk]

If you're talking about Laredo, then they are supposed to be coming before the end of this month.

[dngrant]

Any ideas about when the Richmond/Petersburg, VA market may be added? I mean it is the CAPITAL of the Commonwealth for crying out loud.

Thanks.

[psychobabbler]

If you're talking about Laredo, then they are supposed to be coming before the end of this month.

If this comment was in response to my post just above, I'm not talking about Laredo. I actually live in North Central Texas (Wichita Falls). I guess I could change that in my info.

I do know that most of my friends who have some sort of premium television service have gone with Dish due to the local channels issue. Really the only reason to choose Dish over D* in my opinion in my area. But I've certainly thought about switching due to it. However, I get my channels OTA pretty well (2 in HD [with sub channels in SD] and 2 in SD). Most are not able to get any channels but one, maybe two...

[ScoBuck]

If this comment was in response to my post just above, I'm not talking about Laredo. I actually live in North Central Texas (Wichita Falls). I guess I could change that in my info.

I do know that most of my friends who have some sort of premium television service have gone with Dish due to the local channels issue. Really the only reason to choose Dish over D* in my opinion in my area. But I've certainly thought about switching due to it. However, I get my channels OTA pretty well (2 in HD [with sub channels in SD] and 2 in SD). Most are not able to get any channels but one, maybe two...

I understand fully how important getting HD locals are to pay TV subs. And you are really more unlucky than most, as D* has those HD locals in 59 markets now, and DISH only has them in 28 I believe.

[keithtd]

# 45 and 122...122! get HD locals and Norfolk, VA (42) ,home of the worlds largest Naval Base waits...at least we're top of the "Don't have "D" HD Locals" list..

[beavis]

DMA ranking has little to do with getting HD locals. A majority of it is what agreements can be made between D* and the stations owners.

[Fish Man]

DMA ranking has little to do with getting HD locals. A majority of it is what agreements can be made between D* and the stations owners.

True, DirecTV market saturation is a factor as well.

Case in point: My DMA, New Orleans.

Hurricane Katrina knocked New Orleans from DMA 43 to DMA 54.

However, it caused the total number of DirecTV subscribers in the New Orleans DMA to SKYROCKET. It's up something like 75% since Katrina. Seriously!

Why? The local cable infrastructure was so damaged that many areas didn't have cable restored for a year after the hurricane! (Parts of the 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish still don't have cable, or telephone!)

DirecTV to the rescue! ;) All those folks who's cable was estimated to be out for months simply got DirecTV (or Dish) installed, and signed a 2 year contract!

Also, the fact that some of the local TV stations don't have their HD back up yet as a result of Katrina Damage, yet feed HD to DirecTV, may incentivise still more people to subscribe.

Hence, DirecTV actually accelerated their plans to carry New Orleans HD! :)

[cb7214]

True, DirecTV market saturation is a factor as well.

Case in point: My DMA, New Orleans.

Hurricane Katrina knocked New Orleans from DMA 43 to DMA 54.

However, it caused the total number of DirecTV subscribers in the New Orleans DMA to SKYROCKET. It's up something like 75% since Katrina. Seriously!

Why? The local cable infrastructure was so damaged that many areas didn't have cable restored for a year after the hurricane! (Parts of the 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish still don't have cable, or telephone!)

DirecTV to the rescue! ;) All those folks who's cable was estimated to be out for months simply got DirecTV (or Dish) installed, and signed a 2 year contract!

Also, the fact that some of the local TV stations don't have their HD back up yet as a result of Katrina Damage, yet feed HD to DirecTV, may incentivise still more people to subscribe.

Hence, DirecTV actually accelerated their plans to carry New Orleans HD! :)

Yeah my father-in law lives just north of New Orleans and they got sick of waiting for Charter to come back on and finally went with Dish and have never gone back

[Newshawk]

I just got my reply from David Griffin. Here it is"

Ed,

Thanks for the e-mail. We are very close to an agreement and I think it will happen by the end of next week.

David Griffin

We'll just have to wait and see.

[DawgLink]

Yeah my father-in law lives just north of New Orleans and they got sick of waiting for Charter to come back on and finally went with Dish and have never gone back

I left Cox in New Orleans after years of service because of the total and utter lack of control over their system and customer service.

My sister left Charter because she said Charter made Cox look good.

Charter is the worst run company in the US, imo. Over Enron

[DawgLink]

True, DirecTV market saturation is a factor as well.

Case in point: My DMA, New Orleans.

Hurricane Katrina knocked New Orleans from DMA 43 to DMA 54.

However, it caused the total number of DirecTV subscribers in the New Orleans DMA to SKYROCKET. It's up something like 75% since Katrina. Seriously!

Why? The local cable infrastructure was so damaged that many areas didn't have cable restored for a year after the hurricane! (Parts of the 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish still don't have cable, or telephone!)

DirecTV to the rescue! ;) All those folks who's cable was estimated to be out for months simply got DirecTV (or Dish) installed, and signed a 2 year contract!

Also, the fact that some of the local TV stations don't have their HD back up yet as a result of Katrina Damage, yet feed HD to DirecTV, may incentivise still more people to subscribe.

Hence, DirecTV actually accelerated their plans to carry New Orleans HD! :)

Didn't know the numbers and not surprising. People hated Cox before Katrina and found/forced their way to another option.

In fact, I believe it since I see so many new Dishes on people's houses AND Cox has been forced to beef up their services to make them semi-livable with.

I have had D* since November and am VERY happy.

[ScoBuck]

Ft Myers May 23rd. No other markets have definite dates yet - but I think its reasonable to say that the remaining 8 of 10 recently listed will be on before end of June.

You read it here FIRST!

[Earl Bonovich]

You read it here FIRST!

So is that a confirmation that it is broadcasting ?

[say-what]

Didn't know the numbers and not surprising. People hated Cox before Katrina and found/forced their way to another option.

In fact, I believe it since I see so many new Dishes on people's houses AND Cox has been forced to beef up their services to make them semi-livable with.

I have had D* since November and am VERY happy.
D* and Dish saturated the market with installers - there were huge stacks of receivers at the Best Buys all preordered and waiting for the subs to pickup.

When I got home to Metairie, I simply tilted my dish back up (the bolts on the main mast came loose), got my 95-100% signal and was watching TV within 5 minutes while my neighbors waited endlessly for Cox. :) There were quite a few converts, to say the least....

[mattquaker2]

Earl, I posted a thread about this and yes I can confirm. CBS, NBC, ABC and Fox are all broadcasting in HD. Thanks for the heads up Scobuck. You were right on the money!

[D*HR-20]

Now that you've gotten Fort Myers right, can you give us when the next markets will come up?

[ltrain20]

yeah what D*HR-20 said. I am interested in Des Moines locals.

[ScoBuck]

My contact is out until next Wednesday so I won't have any news at least till then.

[D*HR-20]

Would you have heard already if a new market is going to launch next Wednesday or are we talking about June 6th at the earliest for the next market?

[mcbeevee]

In the D* press release today (5/23/07), they mentioned having "local HD channels in up to 75 markets" by the end of 2007 (keyword "up to"). Does this mean they will add 15 or 16 new HD LIL's after D10 goes live in Sep, or will they wait on D11 next year? :confused:

[ScoBuck]

Would you have heard already if a new market is going to launch next Wednesday or are we talking about June 6th at the earliest for the next market?

lol - I can't be any more honest than to say if I had info I would post it - and unfortunately my inside contact is on holiday.

So, my answer is - I don't know.

[ltrain20]

Thanks ScoBuck for any information you get. I have several friends who are waiting for HD Locals as they struggle to get them very good via OTA.

[twaller]

I have some news about the Flint/Saginaw, MI locals. One of the reasons for the delay is the change of the Local Receive location for the HD signals. The SD Local Receive is located at Delta College, and D* Originally wanted to orginate the HD signals from there also. There was some infrastructure updates needed to the equipment room (more A/C) that wasn't happening very quickly so D* decided to move the Local Receive location for the HD locals to the site of WJRT's transmitter in Chesaning. I have asked, but don't know the progress of this work. Will update if I have more info.

[Mike P]

I have some news about the Flint/Saginaw, MI locals. One of the reasons for the delay is the change of the Local Receive location for the HD signals. The SD Local Receive is located at Delta College, and D* Originally wanted to orginate the HD signals from there also. There was some infrastructure updates needed to the equipment room (more A/C) that wasn't happening very quickly so D* decided to move the Local Receive location for the HD locals to the site of WJRT's transmitter in Chesaning. I have asked, but don't know the progress of this work. Will update if I have more info.


twaller - Keep us posted!: Good information! I can't wait to get my locals in HD through the Direct TV satellite. I'm in the Flint, Saginaw, Bay City area..... Coleman, MI to be specific.

cb7214 should be happy to see this info.....

[cb7214]

twaller - Keep us posted!: Good information! I can't wait to get my locals in HD through the Direct TV satellite. I'm in the Flint, Saginaw, Bay City area..... Coleman, MI to be specific.

cb7214 should be happy to see this info.....

:D

yes i am, hopefully scobuck has some news today from his contact also

[D*HR-20]

My contact is out until next Wednesday so I won't have any news at least till then.

So, have you heard anything now that your contact is back?

[Donnie Byrd]

So, have you heard anything now that your contact is back?


Curious here as well. Looks like DMA #42 is a hopeless case anytime soon. Rumor has it that only WVEC has an agreement in place and possibly WGNT and WTVZ. As you know, LIN owns WAVY and that is a crap-shoot as to when, if ever, they will release that station.:rolleyes: Hope isn't lost though. I am sure ScoBuck will chime in when he has any updated info for those of us in this DMA.

[raoul5788]

Curious here as well. Looks like DMA #42 is a hopeless case anytime soon. Rumor has it that only WVEC has an agreement in place and possibly WGNT and WTVZ. As you know, LIN owns WAVY and that is a crap-shoot as to when, if ever, they will release that station.:rolleyes: Hope isn't lost though. I am sure ScoBuck will chime in when he has any updated info for those of us in this DMA.

I read somewhere that LIN may be selling their stations. That would be good news!

[RAD]

I read somewhere that LIN may be selling their stations. That would be good news!


Maybe after a sale, doubt that they would make any deals while trying to sell the stations.

[D*HR-20]

My market actually have 2 LIN stations. So, we are royally screwed. Both WAVY (NBC) and WVBT (FOX) are LIN owned. Both of them are on Cox cable and FiOS (for the few people in my area that can get it) in HD, if that is any help. I doubt it though.

[Donnie Byrd]

My market actually have 2 LIN stations. So, we are royally screwed. Both WAVY (NBC) and WVBT (FOX) are LIN owned. Both of them are on Cox cable and FiOS (for the few people in my area that can get it) in HD, if that is any help. I doubt it though.

Oops, i forgot about WVBT, home of the Hit Series "24".:(

[seminoles2425]

I am in the same boat as the last two posters. I live in Portsmouth VA. Maybe it won't be long before LIN makes a deal with the FOX and NBC stations here. It wasn't looking good for Cox to carry those two stations in HD but they got a deal done with LIN. Depending on the customer care rep you get, they may offer you the New York stations in HD until our locals in HD become available. They did this for me last year when I ordered my HR20.

[raoul5788]

Maybe after a sale, doubt that they would make any deals while trying to see the stations.

Agreed.

[Donnie Byrd]

I am in the same boat as the last two posters. I live in Portsmouth VA. Maybe it won't be long before LIN makes a deal with the FOX and NBC stations here. It wasn't looking good for Cox to carry those two stations in HD but they got a deal done with LIN. Depending on the customer care rep you get, they may offer you the New York stations in HD until our locals in HD become available. They did this for me last year when I ordered my HR20.

Tried it a few weeks ago and they would not budge and as expected, all local stations rejected Distant Waivers as well.

[D*HR-20]

I get WTKR, WAVY, WVEC, WHRO, WGNT, WTVZ, WVBT, and WPXV all over the air. I just want the MPEG-4 locals since they take up less space on the HDD and because of the principle of it. I mean our DMA is the highest ranked DMA to not have HD locals. I'm surprised you can't get them all with an antenna in Portsmouth, seminoles2425, since I get them all in Western Branch.

[seminoles2425]

I get WTKR, WAVY, WVEC, WHRO, WGNT, WTVZ, WVBT, and WPXV all over the air. I just want the MPEG-4 locals since they take up less space on the HDD and because of the principle of it. I mean our DMA is the highest ranked DMA to not have HD locals. I'm surprised you can't get them all with an antenna in Portsmouth, seminoles2425, since I get them all in Western Branch.

I can get all of them fine in here in Portsmouth(near Churchland High School). I did not ask the customer care rep for the HD Locals out of New York. The rep turned them on when I hooked up my first HR20. The rep told me she did it so I could have as many HD channels as possible and I that I would have the HD Locals out of New York until HD Locals became available in my area. I have not asked or received any waivers from the local channels here.

[21hawk]

Ft Myers May 23rd. No other markets have definite dates yet - but I think its reasonable to say that the remaining 8 of 10 recently listed will be on before end of June.

2 weeks left in June, any word from your source? Thanks.

[Mike P]

Twaller: Any information on Mid Michigan channels in HD?

[ScoBuck]

2 weeks left in June, any word from your source? Thanks.

Actually yes - I do have some updates on the locals....

No further launch dates for lils will be set until after the launch of DIRECTV 10. I am getting the impression that September will be a BIG month for HD launches (locals as well as nationals).

I was promised some more detail in the coming weeks, and I will certainly post it as I receive it.

[twaller]

It's a little disappointing that D* is waiting for the launch of D10 for any more LiLs. I thought that the next set of LiLs will be on the Spaceways which have plently of additional bandwidth available.

[Dolly]

D can have my SD locals if they want :raspberry I have the waivers for East and West Coast channels and they are much better than the local
channels I have even before I got HDTV.

[ScoBuck]

It's a little disappointing that D* is waiting for the launch of D10 for any more LiLs. I thought that the next set of LiLs will be on the Spaceways which have plently of additional bandwidth available.

They will be on the Spaceways. There are other 'things' going on right now that are taking precedence. You will notice that it was ME that mentioned the June time-frame, as that is what I was told - it was NOT DirecTV that made any such statement.

[Villager]

They will be on the Spaceways. There are other 'things' going on right now that are taking precedence. You will notice that it was ME that mentioned the June time-frame, as that is what I was told - it was NOT DirecTV that made any such statement.

Actually, it was DirecTV that announced in a press release on October 10, 2006, that 25 additional HD LILs would be available in the fourth quarter of 2006. By my count, seven of those DMA's are still waiting (impatiently?).

[BobbyK]

Actually, it was DirecTV that announced in a press release on October 10, 2006, that 25 additional HD LILs would be available in the fourth quarter of 2006. By my count, seven of those DMA's are still waiting (impatiently?).

I was looking for Mobile-Pensacola getting HD local this month. After all, ScoBuck has been right so far.

[ScoBuck]

Actually, it was DirecTV that announced in a press release on October 10, 2006, that 25 additional HD LILs would be available in the fourth quarter of 2006. By my count, seven of those DMA's are still waiting (impatiently?).

We are not talking here about what DirecTV said last year - we are talking about a post that I made.

[cottonchopper]

Actually, it was DirecTV that announced in a press release on October 10, 2006, that 25 additional HD LILs would be available in the fourth quarter of 2006. By my count, seven of those DMA's are still waiting (impatiently?).

Back in February I called DirecTV asking what the status of the promised HD locals was, specifically Little Rock. the CSR told me that it would be on by end of the year. I commented that is what I was told last year too. She claimed that Little Rock and several others where never even planned for last year and that I had wrong information. So I pointed her to the press release on the DirecTV website. She tells me that she is seeing it and it states that it will be available by the end of the year. I said "Yes, end of 2006." She was like, well sir, this is 2007 and I am reading the press release and it clearly says end of the year. Finally I got her to look at the date of the press release and that it was dated in Oct 2006. She blew that off as being an error in the release.

What an idiot.

[BobbyK]

Actually, it was DirecTV that announced in a press release on October 10, 2006, that 25 additional HD LILs would be available in the fourth quarter of 2006. By my count, seven of those DMA's are still waiting (impatiently?).

Here is the thread.
http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=84623

[Mike P]

* bump *

I can't wait until Flint / Bay City / Saginaw, MI can get our locals in HD directly from direct TV.

* sigh *

[cb7214]

+1

[Mike P]

I hear that......

[buzzdalf]

show me Toledo!

[swans]

Mobile.

[crimsonblake]

Mobile.

PLEASE Mobile!

[Mike P]

Did I mention Flint / Bay City / Saginaw, MI ??? : )

[BobbyK]

PLEASE Mobile!

D* could light up Mobil-Pensacola today if they wanted to. SAT 99, Transponders 1-6 are there and ready. This has been going on for almost a year now. First it was 4th Q 06, then it was 1st Q 07, then it was 2nd Q 07. Last Sept D* told me I would need a at9 because Pensacola would be getting lil HD soon, so they sent a guy out and installed a slimline [free]. This spring a D* local installer said they were told the lil hd would be up any day. Now here we are in mid July and still don't have them.

[capnlando13]

D* could light up Mobil-Pensacola today if they wanted to. SAT 99, Transponders 1-6 are there and ready. This has been going on for almost a year now. First it was 4th Q 06, then it was 1st Q 07, then it was 2nd Q 07. Last Sept D* told me I would need a at9 because Pensacola would be getting lil HD soon, so they sent a guy out and installed a slimline [free]. This spring a D* local installer said they were told the lil hd would be up any day. Now here we are in mid July and still don't have them.


Dito with Springfield, MO. We are on the list but they will never finalize it.

[diggumsmax]

Huntsville, AL needed

[Strany]

Huntsville, AL needed

I mean come on we are the biggest DMA left and continue to overlook us

[Earl Bonovich]

I mean come on we are the biggest DMA left and continue to overlook us

It may not be a case of "overlooking"...
Their are contracts involved, and IIRC they will not light up the locals unless they have two affiliates contracted.

[bidger]

I hope you guys pleading for your local HD are also contacting the Station Managers/Programming Directors of those local stations to tell them you want them on DIRECTV.

[Greg Bimson]

I don't think it is necessarily "overlooking" as it is figuring out market penetration of available HD homes. Why offer HD in Louisville if there are more homes in Santa Barbara or Oklahoma City with HD sets?

Either way, it does appear DirecTV is committed to adding a very large majority of the nation's local networks. It will just take a bit of time and planning to get all those local markets up and running...

Louisville's networks are owned by Belo (ABC), Hearst (CBS) and Raycom (NBC), so those stations already have a retransmission agreement. I am unsure about Fox, owned by Block Communications.

[raott]

I don't think it is necessarily "overlooking" as it is figuring out market penetration of available HD homes. Why offer HD in Louisville if there are more homes in Santa Barbara or Oklahoma City with HD sets?



I doubt if Mobile which has 120,000 less people than Louisville in the DMA, has a larger market penetration of HD homes than Louisville. Its gotta be something else.

IMO, Insight Communications in Louisville is ripe for the taking as far as video is concerned. They are small, offer less HD, are no longer partnered with Comcast and considerable more expensive (approx $35 more a month than D* for my setup).

[D*HR-20]

I mean come on we are the biggest DMA left and continue to overlook us

Yeah, I know Norfolk doesn't have HD locals, yet. Surprised someone in Louisville cares about what we get in Norfolk.

[kevinwmsn]

I'm in the Mobile area too and I want the Locals as much as the next guy. I doubt we'll get Wala(Fox) unless its OTA because LIN owns them but somehow Cox made arrangements with them. I'm not sure if WEAR(ABC) being Sinclair owns them. There shouldn't be an issue with WKRG(CBS) and WMPI(NBC) being all the local cable networks carry their HD signal. CW isn't broadcasted at all in HD. If they turned it right now we'll likely to be looking at 2 of 5, maybe 3 of 5.

[apace]

Huntsville, AL needed


yeah yeah

[Tirade75]

yeah yeah

Bump for great justice (and hopefully a Huntsville, AL update)

[peridoc]

+1 on Huntsville, AL as well. Lets get those HD locals on the new bird! :)

[johnck78]

Tried it a few weeks ago and they would not budge and as expected, all local stations rejected Distant Waivers as well.


After my waivers were denied I called LIN, and the guy I talked to, which was the director of yada yada yada. I told him I was having trouble getting WPRI and WNAC with an OTA Antenna at my home, and asked why my waiver were denied, and he told me that he really didn't care if i got the signal via OTA they were not going to issue waivers to anyone for any reason. I asked when I could expect WPRI and WNAC in HD on DirecTv and he refused to comment. He proceeded to tell me that they were available via COX and maybe I should switch!!

Is there anything that can be done about this CRAP????

[BigJ52]

Des Moines, IA area would be nice as well!

[flexoffset]

+1 on Huntsville, AL here, too.

[Herdfan]

Is there anything that can be done about this CRAP????
Send letters to the local stations advertisers. Tell them you have D* and that you can't get these two stations. Since you are comitted to HD shows, you will be watching fewer programs on these stations.

If enough advertisers start to move $ to HD friendly stations, then someone may get the idea.

[LameLefty]

After my waivers were denied I called LIN, and the guy I talked to, which was the director of yada yada yada. I told him I was having trouble getting WPRI and WNAC with an OTA Antenna at my home, and asked why my waiver were denied, and he told me that he really didn't care if i got the signal via OTA they were not going to issue waivers to anyone for any reason. I asked when I could expect WPRI and WNAC in HD on DirecTv and he refused to comment. He proceeded to tell me that they were available via COX and maybe I should switch!!

Is there anything that can be done about this CRAP????

I'm not joking when I say WRITE your congressman and senator, don't send an email, send a real, honest-to-god paper letter, then follow up with a call to his office. Tell them that you are a constituent and you are concerned how a single large media company, owner of dozens of stations around the country and in his very own back yard, is playing games and actually hindering your ability to receive their programming. Remind them that TV and radio stations operate under the FCC in a public trust (frequency spectrum allocations after all) and are supposed to operate in the public best interest, and this kind of behavior shows that LIN is violating their mandate from the FCC and should have their operating license pulled.

I am not kidding when I say that if enough people in your area did this (and EVERY area where LIN pulls the same crap), it would stop.