DIRECTV and DISH Network Not Ready For DTV Switch

Alabama Mobile Subscribers of both satellite providers are not receiving WKRG's digital channel. If the switch happened today they would only see static.

by WKRG Staff

Published: Thu, December 18, 2008 - 4:45 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, December 18, 2008 - 4:47 pm CST

The two largest satellite providers in the country are not ready for the DTV switch.

WKRG ran two tests on Tuesday to help viewers know who's ready and who's not. Subscribers of both DIRECTV and DISH Network saw the slate pictured on the right, indicating they are not receiving WKRG's digital signal. That means if the switch happened today, they would only see static.

News 5 contacted both companies to find out why they're not ready.

DISH Network spokesperson Francie Bower told us “we're in the process of converting all the markets, including Mobile." Bower says subscribers don't need to worry. She insists DISH Network will be ready. When asked for a timeline, Bower said "we hope to have everyone done by January."

DIRECTV also promises to be ready. Spokesperson Robert Mercer said "(Mobile) is handled by a third party provider and has not been converted yet." Mercer says they do not have an ETA on when the conversion will happen. But he says the company will be ready.

"We absolutely will have that market ready by the transition date, February 17th,” Mercer said. “So, DirecTV customers do not have to be concerned about their readiness for the digital transition. That I can tell you for sure.”

News 5 will continue to follow this story to make sure both companies make good on their promise.

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dougstech Says:

Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 10:05 am

I have direcTV as my main source, but I put a pair of rabbit ears connected behind the TV incase the direcTV ever goes out, and WKRG is the only channel I can get (digital).

mobilelawyer Says:

Mon, Dec 22, 2008 at 10:02 am

Sorry I missed the show.

I am not sure what the criteria are for being “digital ready”, but I receive the HD feed of WKRG’s signal (which is the digial signal) just fine over Directv. Of course, I pick it up WKRG’s digital signal just fine over the air with an attic- mounted antenna, also.

Opinionwriter Says:

Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 7:29 pm

Good job WKRG!

Jamie Burch Says:

Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 7:19 pm

myopinion,

We are scheduled to run several tests before February 17. The next one will be after the 1st of the year.

myopinion Says:

Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 6:48 pm

I hope WKRG does another test very soon! I didn’t get to check ours.

David Rencher Says:

Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 6:09 pm

dougstech, I have the DirecTV HR22 HD DVR and I did not have a problem with last nights tests and get all HD programming. Apparently older receivers are not receiving the digital signal.

Sirk Says:

Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 5:48 pm

dougstech, I also had the understanding that DirecTV was ready. There have even been commercials from DirecTV saying we had nothing to worry about.

dougstech Says:

Thu, Dec 18, 2008 at 5:29 pm

It was my understanding that they WERE on digital. I am able to receive WKRG in HD on DirecTV.