| A time prevailed more than a decade back when | | | | Many viewers were unhappy about not being able |
| cable TV was the only thing people could say | | | | to see the local channels. Satellite TV providers |
| when asked about entertainment. There the | | | | offered this service to compete with the cable |
| channels on offer were based on what the cable | | | | providers. The initial momentum to broadcast local |
| TV provider wanted to keep in the broadcasting | | | | channels came with a lot of effort. But it slowly |
| list. It was usually a mixed bag of movie, music, | | | | caught on. There was need to increase bandwidth |
| sports, news and kid's channels. There were also | | | | so that extra programming space could be |
| some channels that aired local content. These | | | | accommodate. This would help in continued |
| channels were called the local channels. | | | | telecast of local satellite TV channels. Since these |
| Then came the time when Satellite TV took the | | | | steps were taken, therefore even after a decade |
| market by storm. A huge number of channels | | | | of satellite TV initiation, local channels are available. |
| started being aired. There were over a hundred | | | | Dish Network is now offering local channels in |
| premium channels that made their way to the | | | | many service areas where they are the satellite |
| dish TV list. It was during the initial months of dish | | | | TV providers. They routinely offer PBS, ABC, |
| TV's launch that local channels were not aired | | | | CBS, NBC, CW, Fox, and My Network TV along |
| among other satellite TV channels. Though this | | | | with other stations of specific areas. WB and UPN |
| problem has been done away with, some people | | | | super stations are also on offer as local channels. |
| still believe that this inconvenience prevails. But the | | | | These channels have been given on offer keeping |
| truth is different. This notion was true at one | | | | in mind the taste of the customers. For $5 per |
| point of time. But in the present day, such ideas | | | | month, already available local stations can be |
| exist, but only as a myth. | | | | added to any satellite programming package. |
| With the help of Federal Communications | | | | You can easily determine if local stations are |
| Commission (FCC), the policies and rules related to | | | | available in a given area. Dish Network allows you |
| satellite stations in the US have given permission | | | | to find that out with the help of its official |
| to the satellite providers to air local channels. The | | | | website. You can search by address or zip code |
| Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act (1999) | | | | and check to see the availability of local channel |
| was revised in 2004 and it said that satellite TV | | | | services of a particular place. Those days are |
| companies were allowed to provide local | | | | gone when one would not be able to watch |
| broadcast signals to subscribers. If any subscriber | | | | satellite channel broadcasts for erecting a large |
| wishes to get extra information about Satellite | | | | antenna on the rooftop. Most satellite TV |
| Home Viewer Improvement Act, then he/she can | | | | customers enjoy the local stations with the same |
| look up and get relevant information. | | | | satellite service that can provide the most diverse |
| For many viewers this news about the local | | | | programming. |
| channels was a welcome piece of information. | | | | |