Hd Broadcast Waivers
First of all, I am NOT an HDTV Techi, as many on this forum appear to be, and have never posted a message on a forum such as this before. Briefly, we are simply an average family, who purchased a HDTV (50 inch Samsung) from BestBuy, then purchased an HD Receiver from DIRECTV, on the assumption (as both BestBuy and DIRECTV, as well as the major TV Networks vigorously falsely and deceptively advertised and promoted) that we could then receive and view the network HD broadcasts as part of our regular programming every evening. Boy, were we mislead and conned!
We live at the base of the Organ Mountains to the southeast of Las Cruces, New Mexico. We have no cable and can not receive any stations over the air in this remote location (even with the HD Antenna that I purchased from DIRECTV). Initially, DIRECTV indicated that all three local network affiliates had denied my request for an HD Waiver (Fox granted it immediately). After that notification, I have personally written dozens of e-mails, and had some discussions over the past few months, with DIRECTV, the local network affiliates, and even the FCC regarding this matter, in an attempt to obtain the HD Broadcast Waivers from the local affiliates, and to receive the NYC network broadcasts, which are available to us from DIRECTV if the proper Waivers are obtained from the local affiliates (although DIRECTV claims that they can only provide us with the LA network broadcasts, which are broadcast far too late for us to watch before we go to sleep). What an incredible bureaucracy!
In all fairness, the local El Paso ABC affiliate (KVIA) has been very helpful and even immediately sent their Engineers out to conduct a Signal Test and verified the obvious; that we can not receive any signals except for the Las Cruces Telemundo station. They are continuing to evaluate my request for a Waiver. And the local El Paso NBC affiliate (KTSM) has already granted me the Waiver, although DIRECTV insists that the Albuquerque NBC affiliate (KOB) is the local DMA affiliate for HD Waivers; and they have also indicated that they will also grant the Waiver. However, much to my dissatisfaction, the local CBS affiliate (KDBC) has totally ignored me and has not even responded to my many requests. And DIRECTV has been absolutely no help, and simply states that they are restricted by various governmental regulations on this matter.
And finally, my conversations with Ms. Eloise Gore of the FCC Media Bureau (Eloise.Gore@fcc.gov), was a total waste of time. She stated that she nor the FCC could provide no assistance in this matter. She, in essence, confirmed and did not deny, that the FCC does NOT represent the public interests in these matters, and only supports the television networks and satellite providers. She even stated that DIRECTV can arbitrarily discriminate and can choose who they provide what programming to!
So, despite the maze of government regulations and bureaucracy involved in this matter (quite frankly, I am unable to even begin to decipher the multitude of regulations that are available on the Internet, despite my Engineering degree and thirty years of professional work experience), my request is really quite simple ... I just want to watch the prime time network programs every night in HD on my very expensive HDTV system (which in our case is the NYC network broadcasts)... that is all! Technically, with the proper approvals, it is available to me, but I am being denied access. Who can make this happen?
