Let me start by answering the question as best I can. There’s not much on DIRECTV’s 119 satellite. After a hold caused by the events of the early 2020s, the satellite at that location is on track to be taken out of service as soon as possible. So, let’s take one last look at what’s still broadcasting there.
First a shoutout
I’d like to thank the team of volunteers at SatelliteGuys who have been maintaining a comprehensive database of DIRECTV channel assignments for over ten years. This is the same team you might have encountered at other web sites. SatelliteGuys is their new home and I hope they keep doing this good work for many years to come.
About the satellite
The satellite at the 119 location is properly called DIRECTV 8. During the AT&T era, it was commonly referred to as T8, but I’m told that there’s no official way to change the name of a satellite in government registries. So as far as I’m concerned, it was DIRECTV 8 then and it’s DIRECTV 8 now.
DIRECTV 8 has been up in the sky since 2005 believe it or not. It’s been providing DIRECTV service that whole time. It was designed to offer standard-definition service to folks, and it’s done an admirable job. However, every satellite must eventually be decommissioned. Once a satellite runs out of fuel for its rocket boosters, it can’t correct its orbit. At this time it becomes a danger to other satellites. Before this happens, old satellites are moved further from the earth into a maintenance orbit. At some point we humans will have to do something about the space junk up there, but that’s not a problem for today.
National channels on the 119 satellite
As of June 2023, there are absolutely no national channels on the 119 satellite. Zero.
High Definition channels on the 119 satellite
I don’t know if there ever were HD channels on the 119 satellite but as of June 2023 there aren’t any on it now.
Music channels on the 119 satellite
The 119 satellite used to carry several channels of music that were intended mostly for business customers but were available to everyone. As of June 2023, there are no music channels on the 119 satellite.
Local markets served by the 119 satellite
There are no HD locals on the 119 satellite, but several cities still have SD locals on the 119 satellite. However, these are due to be turned off without notice. DIRECTV and several other sources like Solid Signal have been actively trying to upgrade customers to HD-capable equipment since 2016.
For now, here’s the relatively small list of markets served by standard definition locals on the 119 satellite:
- Albuquerque, NM
- Buffalo, NY
- Charleston, WV
- Fresno, CA
- Greensboro, NC
- Knoxville, TN
- Little Rock, AR
- Louisville, KY
- Mobile, AL
- New Orleans, LA
- Norfolk, VA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Paducah
- Parkersburg, WV
- Raleigh-Durham, NC
- Richmond, VA
- Roanoke, VA
- Shreveport, LA
- Tulsa, OK
- Wilkes-Barre, PA
Note that not every HD channel is available in SD anymore, and that list of SD channels is shrinking almost every month.
What happens now?
At some point the 119 satellite will be completely decommissioned, like their 110 satellite. Before that, all current DIRECTV equipment will be upgraded so that there won’t be an error when there’s no signal from it.
DIRECTV has already stopped manufacturing its “5-LNB” dishes, although there are some still available at SolidSignal.com. The only LNB that is still active is DIRECTV’s Reverse Band 5 Legacy LNB. My feeling on that (and it’s just a feeling) is that they built way too many of these and they’re waiting for them to run out before creating a Reverse Band 3 Legacy LNB.
Moving forward, you shouldn’t need access to the 119 satellite for anything, so it’s perfectly fine if you get a “3-LNB” dish. If you’re an RV or mobile customer with a single-location dish, you can change satellite setup to 18″ Round. You shoudn’t have to, unless you’re getting an error of some sort.
More questions? Just ask!
If you want to know how this affects you, call the experts! Our team at Solid Signal is here to help you during East Coast business hours. The number is 888-233-7563. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
