DirecTV Approaches FCC on 2-Dish Locals

[Gregg Lengling]

In January, DirecTV approached officials at the
Federal Communications Commission concerning
EchoStar's use of two dishes to deliver a
select set of local channels to its customers.

DirecTV brought up the two-dish issue during
meetings with support staff for Democratic
Commissioners Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein.
At the meetings, DirecTV officials said they
support past criticisms from FCC leaders that
suggested the Media Bureau's decision to allow
EchoStar to deliver a select set of local
channels via a second dish is inconsistent
with regulations.

Copps and Republican Commissioner Kevin Martin
made those remarks on EchoStar's two-dish
solution last spring.

DirecTV also pointed out to Copps and Adelstein
that its satellite TV service provides local
channels from a single full-CONUS slot, allowing
its customers to receive local broadcasts with
one dish.

Last spring, the National Association of
Broadcasters and others asked the FCC to take
action to address satellite carriage of certain
local stations in a manner that requires
subscribers to obtain a second satellite dish.