Actually, the answer is starting to become why would DirecTV move those locals on 72.5?
DirecTV is maxed out on spot-beam space on both DirecTV 4S at 101, and DirecTV 7S at 119. Therefore, DirecTV is using another 16 CONUS transponders at 72.5 to fill the need for another 29 markets. These can't be moved to CONUS transponders on 101 or 119, even if the HD-MPEG2 channels are moved. There aren't enough transponders.
DirecTV is supposedly launching an in-orbit spare, spot-beam satellite by the end of the year. It is conceivable DirecTV could use this for more "localized" channels, including locals. However, no one knows how the spot-beam footprint looks, other than the fact it will somewhat mirror the coverage from the existing spot-beam satellites. However, it may not be possible to use that coverage for most of the locals at 72.5.
So I suspect nothing gets changed regarding the locals on the 72.5 satellite; all future additions may come from the Spaceway 1 and 2 satellites and the DirecTV 10 and 11 satellites next year, which would allow the shift from 72.5 to the 99 and 103 slots. Yes, this will require completely new equipment.
