Dish Network/Local Channels Question

[Beta_Roc]

We currently have Dish Network. We have never been able to subscribe to local channels through them because they said local channels were available to us through an over the air antenna(which we don't have or want).

So we just subscribed to our local cable company for local only channels. We don't like the service though and canceled them.

We figured since the switch to digital is done now and you can't get local channels with JUST an antenna, we gave Dish Network a call back.

They referred us to a company called America First or something, who wanted to sell us a WineGard Amplified Box or something for 119.00. He said it would catch the digital versions of our local channels and route them through our satellite so that they show up on our guide and would also be subject to being DVRd (which we like)

The price sounded high for basically a piece of equipment and other than that they would not really be providing us with any other service.

I looked here on this site and noticed that you guys sell Dish Network compatible satellite antennas. (the circle shaped versions to be clear)

If we purchased one of these, would we be able to get local channels using it; much in the same way the sales rep from America First described?

If none of this made any sense (lol); basically we want to know what is the best way to get local channels through our satellite receiver WITHOUT installing an ADDITIONAL(we don't mind replacing) antenna (weather vane style or otherwise) to our home.

[Winegard-Mobiletech]

Before I can answer your questions, I have a few of my own.

1. Do you have a digital TV? It should have an ATSC installed?
If not, do you already have a Converter box for your TV?

2. was your antenna working before the transition?
If it was and the channels did not change frequencies, you most likely wont need a new antenna.
Its possible but unlikely.

Also, could you give me the zip code you live in? This will help me get an idea of the channels available in your area.

[Beta_Roc]

Yes we have digital TVs. All 1080p LCD HD TVs. Don't think any of them are more than 2 years old.

We do not have an outside antenna. As I said in my previous post, we had local cable service in order to get local channels.

The only type of "antenna" I currently have on my house now is the DISH Network satellite antenna.

70669 is my zip.

antennaweb or some similar sounding website says that in order for me to get 2 of the 3 major broadcast stations I need the LARGE multidirectional antenna. (red I think it was)

We don't actually care if its OUR local channels, we just want ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX

[KNP 2516]

The Dish local channels.

In the simplest terms, anybody that can receive the Dish Network can also receive the local channels through the Dish. The only thing I could see that would keep you from being able to receive the local channels would be if they did not provide a signal to the Dish Network for rebroadcast from your local television stations.

Unless there is some kind of special service that you wished to receive that I don't know about, there is no reason for it not to be part of a Dish package.

At one time the cost was about $5 a month on top of your regular bill..

The only thing I have to add is that there are times when a subscriber wishes to receive something other than their local television stations.
One example would be a friend of mine that is a Mormon and lives in Pennsylvania.

He did not feel that he would be properly served by his local channels because he wanted information that pertained to his religion - which is broadcast in UTAH. His local Dish representative petitioned the FCC and got him a special dispensation and his receiver box is programmed to receive programs from the same satellite link as the people in UTAH and he is able to watch the same television stations as the people who live in UTAH and subscribe to the local channels with the Dish Network.

Another example is a family member of mine that owns a cabin in the George Washington National Forrest.
His local programming would be the same as what he can receive over the air in Waynesboro VA.

The problem with that was that he could not receive a ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CW etc over the air from his location...

So he applied to the FCC and got a special dispensation and is allowed to receive the channels out of Richmond VA. His other option would have been Washington DC.

If the Dish told me that I could not receive the local channels, which was probably due to the fact that the local channels did not have a contract to supply a signal to the Dish Network, then I would have went to a different service provider such as Direct TV. I never would have paid two bills at the same time.

[Beta_Roc]

DISH Network (along with DIRECT TV when we used to have it) has told us that they are unable to provide us with network channels (beit our own local ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX; or even from another city like LA or New York) BECAUSE if we installed a regular antenna we could receive them.

How do you petition the FCC for the waiver? Maybe I'll go that route and claim all my family lives in LA or something.

[KNP 2516]

You got mail

[Neihn]

KNP 2516, My situation is kinda similar to the OP's and was wondering if you could point me in the direction of potentially petitioning the FCC for a waiver. Heres my exact situation. I have Dish network but they will not offer me either my local channels or Distance channels. But using a Winegard antenna with amplifier i still get no local channels. Stations are probably around 50 to 60 miles away. Now I am also in kind of a small valley with a tree line about 60 yards away that is right in path of where the antenna should be point. I am really looking for a solution to try to get local channels and am hoping i can petition the FCC to allow me to get those channels. Thanks for your time