switching local channels

[kitty]

Hi. Can anyone direct me as to how to switch my local channels to really local channels?
I just got DISH today having changed from Directtv. Directtv gave us local channels from 45 minutes to the south. Now DISH is telling us we have to have locals from 2.5 hours to the north. Completely absurd! We were with DISH before and had our local channels changed but when I contacted them today they told me it couldnt be done they would rather lose me as a customer then switch my locals. I know it can be done if someone can just tell me how. TIA Kitty

 

[Laddyboy]

Hi. Can anyone direct me as to how to switch my local channels to really local channels?
I just got DISH today having changed from Directtv. Directtv gave us local channels from 45 minutes to the south. Now DISH is telling us we have to have locals from 2.5 hours to the north. Completely absurd! We were with DISH before and had our local channels changed but when I contacted them today they told me it couldnt be done they would rather lose me as a customer then switch my locals. I know it can be done if someone can just tell me how. TIA Kitty

Exactly where are you located so we know what DMA you're in. What locals did you want? Both E* and D* are only supposed to provide locals that are designated for your DMA. There are some suscribers who had grandfathered locals. The only way to get different locals is to "move" to an address in the DMA you want locals from. You must be within the spot beam for that to work though.

 

[garys]

Being on 45 minutes, you should have a good shot of being in the spot beam.

 

[harshness]

Both E* and D* are only supposed to provide locals that are designated for your DMA.

While this is pretty much an accurate statement, both providers get to pick a point in time for the DMA maps. It is certainly possible that E* is using a map that puts the OP in one DMA and D* is using one that places them in another.

I thought that I read somewhere that the DBS providers have to update their map every few years which may require new carriage agreements and a different antenna configuration.

 

[larry55]

where do i find dma

 

[dishcomm]

where do i find dma

TRUCKADS® | Mobile Advertising Markets ( DMA MAP ) and Affiliate Locator | Call 1 800 TRUCK ADS®
TV Market Maps

 

[bernie4193]

hook up antenna and scan locals

 

[kitty]

I will try to find my DMA. I know I can get Harrisburg locals as I had them both with Dish previously and Direct tv this morning. The nag I spoke with at Dish said "they werent allowed to change my locals" but 100 yards across the street is a different county and they are getting the locals from Harrisburg that I want, so I know it can be done they are just not willing. They have some agreement with the stations from Wilkes Barre to only carry their locals

 

[kitty]

Exactly where are you located so we know what DMA you're in. What locals did you want? Both E* and D* are only supposed to provide locals that are designated for your DMA. There are some suscribers who had grandfathered locals. The only way to get different locals is to "move" to an address in the DMA you want locals from. You must be within the spot beam for that to work though.

I know I am in the spot beam as I had Harrisburg Locals yesterday morning.
My zip is 17017 which receives locals from both Wilkes Barre 2.5 hours North and Harrisburg, 45 minutes South. I am on the wrong side of the creek 100 yards away to receive Harrisburg.

So please tell me what I have to do do get Harrisburg locals.
Do I change coordinates on my receiver?
Do I call DISH and tell them we had and earthquake and my house slid 100 yards across the creek?

 

[dishcomm]

I know I am in the spot beam as I had Harrisburg Locals yesterday morning.
My zip is 17017 which receives locals from both Wilkes Barre 2.5 hours North and Harrisburg, 45 minutes South. I am on the wrong side of the creek 100 yards away to receive Harrisburg.

So please tell me what I have to do do get Harrisburg locals.
Do I change coordinates on my receiver?
Do I call DISH and tell them we had and earthquake and my house slid 100 yards across the creek?

Simply call dish and tell them the zip code on your bill is incorect. And give them the "correct" one.
You'll still receive your bill at your home because the postal service delivers to cities and addresses within a city. The zip code is simply a way for the postal service to more efficiently identify the location of an address.
Or you can change your service address to an adjacent zip code, go with auto pay and paperless billing.

 

[sca]

i know it seems like dish is being difficult with you, but its a FCC ruling they are required by law to follow. its not a perfect system, by any means.
the only way for you to get those channels now is to tell dish you moved, or what dishcomm said.

 

[harshness]

DISH Network fully vets the address so the ZIP code change probably won't work.


DISH must choose a DMA map and they have to live with their choice as do their subscribers. Whether or not they can physically deliver the signal doesn't come into play.

 

[garys]

You will need to change the street address to match the zip, as long as Dish does not have an existing customer at the address you will be fine. Sign up for paperless billing and have your bill sent to your e-mail account so that a physical bill is not returned to Dish from person living at the address used and does not notify Dish that you are not where you say you are.

 

[DishGuise]

You will need to change the street address to match the zip, as long as Dish does not have an existing customer at the address you will be fine. Sign up for paperless billing and have your bill sent to your e-mail account so that a physical bill is not returned to Dish from person living at the address used and does not notify Dish that you are not where you say you are.

You realize that this will only cause issues in the future correct?

By circumventing the system in this way, things can only go wrong. Anytime you need someone out, have equipment sent to and from etc; you will need to change the address and each time they do this. The problem is that it will appear to be account packing. Like you're stealing from the company and bypassing their system that is put in place to follow the FCC requirements/laws.

It sucks when you don't get the DMA you want, I know. I'm in a fringe area myself but are you really that upset about a company who is trying to follow the law as closely as possible? Are you willing to put up with this amount of hassle just to get your way?

If you are, go for it but if they noted the account that this was an issue before the agent you're speaking to is going to know what's going on.

 

[Tower Guy]

Now DISH is telling us we have to have locals from 2.5 hours to the north.

You could have your cake and eat it too if you put up an antenna for the Harrisburg stations.

You'd get the one market via satellite and the other over the air. It's completely legal and you get to choose which ones to watch.