Local Channels out of Market

[Mr Tony]

The OP is no where near ND, though.

did you even look at a map before making a comment like that? He's a helluva lot closer to ND than he is most of MOntana

How did they decide that his town is in a ND DMA?

Nielsen...same folks that decide that you live in whatever market you do. There are plenty of examples where folks live in one state but Nielsen determined their locals come from another state.

Williston (thats in North Dakota about 20 miles from the Montana border) locals use to be available in that area on analog. Digital doesnt go that far but it is still considered that market

He has no local OTA Fox signal... they should use closest local (in-state where possible, both states for legit border towns) if spotbeam allows, or DNS.

so you're combining OTA and distants together? Doesnt work that way. OTA has nothing to do with what stations you get
Again,. the Fox station is in a pissing match with Directv (and cable companies and dish at one point) about it being carried.

As for OTA in most of Montana its fed with low powered translators that are owned by the local city. If they have no way of getting the signal how are they suppose to carry it?
The nearest Fox station is in......wait for it......WILLISTON NORTH DAKOTA!!!! But its low powered.
The nearest "in market" (ie: Montana) Fox is in Great Falls or Billings which is oh 250 miles away

It should be that simple. If the ND Fox station doesn't provide his area with an OTA signal, he's not in their coverage area so why are they allowed to deny DNS waivers? The FCC allows greedy local broadcasters from other areas to deny people channels they are willing to pay for?

**SIGH** I guess you just dont understand how it works. Its very simple
He has Directv
He gets Dickinson/Minot/Williston (Western ND) locals as per Nielsen. No other market is near by
Fox is in a dispute
therefore he gets no Fox
Directv is not allowed to import one
OP can ask for waiver
Directv can submit
If Fox ND owner denies he's screwed

Simple as that. Having an OTA signal or lackthereof has NOTHING to do with wavers.