If I bring my directv with me when I move, will I still get my local programming?

Question

I am moving from NY to NC. If I bring my directv equipment, and keep having the service billed to an address in NY, will I still get the same local NY programming? I already checked, and the local sports channels that I want are not offered in NC. Thanks

Answer 1

The answer to this question largely depends on what market you live(d) in New York. In most cases, even though your receiver will be authorized to receive your New York local channels, when you go to NC you will no longer be able to pick up the signal for them. Most local channels are transmitted on what are called "spot beams". These spot beams cover relatively small geographic areas when compared to the continental beam used for national programming. Spot beams are used so that they can reuse the same frequencies over and over again to reserve nationwide channel capacity for national channels. These markets in NY transmit their local channels on the DirecTV 7S satellite (110 WL) on a spot beam:
Albany -TP 31
Buffalo - TP 23
Rochester - TP 31

Unfortunately both transponders 31 and 23 are reused for other local channels in North Carolina so even a larger dish will not help you. The local channels for New York City are now also on a spot beam on DirecTV 4S (101 WL) transponder 4 which is also reused for other local channels in NC. The only other market is Syracuse. They ARE NOT on a spot beam so you can receive them no problem in NC. They're on the DirecTV 1 satellite at 72.5 degrees WL. Normally a special or separate dish and switch are required to get these local channels so if that is what you have, it will work for the time being in NC. The HD local channels are also on spot beams and while I do not have definitive data on the Ka spot beams readily available, I'm going to say they probably don't cover NC or are reused there as well.

Now, when I was talking about local channels, I meant NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, WB/UPN and PBS, the over the air local channels. Regional sports channels are a different story. Channels like YES and Fox Sports Net NY are on the national beam so you can get them in NC if you keep your current NY subscription there.

If you're really hard up for NY local channels, you might be able to get them via other means i.e. other satellite services. If you message me the market you're in (or were in) and the channels you're interested in, I can take a look and see if they're available one way or another in NC.

Answer 2

Direct Tv Buffalo Ny

Answer 3

Ni NY21

That should work O.K.

I haven't personally tried it but the authorization will be set up for local NY channels.

Norm

Answer 4

I was curious about this as well

Answer 5

Hurrah, that's what I was looking for! Thanks op of this question.