Dish Network TV - RV-Dreams Community Forum

Bigfish · RV-Dreams Community Member

Dish Network TV

Judy · RV-Dreams Family Member

We have Direct tv and when we left our home took the dish with us to fulltime. Not getting the local channels while we were snowbirding in Az. we simply called and they got us the local ones while in Az. When we came back to N.M. for awhile we just called them and they switched us back to the local channels in the area. I would think just call them and ask if you can do this also. They talked us thru on what to do and then they will switch us to whatever location we are in at the time for local channels.
southwestjudy & Bob & 2blackdogs

mediawise · RV-Dreams Community Member

Local channels are "spot" cast over satellite - This means that the signal is focused on a specific geographical area encompassing the city whose local channels are involved. The area usually extends about 100 miles or so around the city. This is done so that the satellite providers can grant access to more local channels in more areas. This explains why you will no longer be able to receive your local channels when you change locations.
Direct TV and, up until recently, Dish allowed RVers to received the national feeds of the networks (excluding PBS) by signing an RV waiver. For us this is the most convient set up - the scheudle is always the same and we receive both east and west coast feeds (allowing us to see programs on which ever schedule is most convenient). We use our standard antenna to get the local channels for free.

As an FYI, Dish is no longer able to offer the national network feeds due to a financial dispute, so that is no longer an option for this service.

Howard · Host

The responses so far are right on target. Once you move out of your "local" area you will have to make choices in order to continue to get network feeds.

Of course you can use your regular TV antenna to get local channels in the area you park. But the reception will be inconsistent and sometimes non-existent the more rural you get.

You can work with Dish and get them to turn on the local channels for whatever area you are in at the time. If you travel a lot, that could be a real pain. It's a pretty good option for long-term stays, however.

The other option is to get "Distant Network Service" (DNS). Distant Network Service is available to mobile satellite TV users (for a fee of course). DNS includes New York and Los Angeles feeds for ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC. So you actually get two chances to watch your favorite network programs - first on Eastern time from NY and then on West Coast Time from LA. smile

However, DISH is currently banned from offering DNS because they didn't do a very good job of making sure their DNS users were actually mobile. That's upsetting to local channels and their advertisers - allowing local viewers to "opt out" of local channels in favor of "national" channels in violation of satellite TV rules did not sit well. smile

We have DirecTV (overall, I've seen it about 50/50 between DirecTV & DISH among full-timers - at least up to the point DISH could no longer offer DNS). And we love the DNS service. In order to prove that we were mobile, we had to submit an affidavit stating we are a mobile user in an RV (the RV waiver) and we had to submit a copy of our RV registration. Seems like a hassle, but I now understand why they have the requirements - economics. smile

Maybe not what you wanted to hear, but hope it helps.

rtompkins3 · RV-Dreams Community Member

While dish network is not allowed to provide Distant Network Service, there is a company leasing transponders from dish that can offer the services through your dish network receiver through All American Direct - https://www.mydistantnetworks.com/

Ralph