09-27-2013, 11:46 AM
DirecTV has always tried to play by the FCC rules. Dish didn't and got the right to provide mobile service taken away from them. That is why you have to go through another company to get mobile network stations on Dish Network.
It can be a pain sometimes but the rules were set up by the FCC based on complaints from the local network stations that they were losing advertising dollars when folks claimed mobile waivers when they weren't just to get NY and LA stations. DirecTV has never allowed local networks and the Distant Network Service on the same account. Those that travel extensively and watch the network channels have to have a mobile account because the local networks are all spot beamed and as soon as you drive out of your beam, you lose you local network channels until you return to your home area. The size of the spot beam varies substantially. If another major TV market area is fairly close, the beam area will be smaller. If the population served is small, the beam area can cover all or part of a number of states. Unfortunately, the number of rules and there interpretation can make life more complicated for those of us with RV's.
It can be a pain sometimes but the rules were set up by the FCC based on complaints from the local network stations that they were losing advertising dollars when folks claimed mobile waivers when they weren't just to get NY and LA stations. DirecTV has never allowed local networks and the Distant Network Service on the same account. Those that travel extensively and watch the network channels have to have a mobile account because the local networks are all spot beamed and as soon as you drive out of your beam, you lose you local network channels until you return to your home area. The size of the spot beam varies substantially. If another major TV market area is fairly close, the beam area will be smaller. If the population served is small, the beam area can cover all or part of a number of states. Unfortunately, the number of rules and there interpretation can make life more complicated for those of us with RV's.