Believe it or not, it was eight years ago that DIRECTV first announced that it would be ending standard definition local service. The move, originally planned for 2019, was pushed to 2020 for logistical reasons. And then 2020 happened and I guess it didn’t seem like the right time to change the way people watched TV. I get it, and if you think about 2020 you probably do too. But, the plan has been back on track for about a year, and it’s switched into high gear.
Recently, Tampa has seen its standard definition locals shut off, a plan that’s been in place for over a year. If you’re in Tampa, you should have received several notices along with your DIRECTV bill about this, but I get it — not everyone reads everything. But suffice it to say that if you still haven’t upgraded to an HD-capable dish and HD-capable equipment, you won’t be receiving local channels in Tampa.
This one hit our Solid Signal community a little harder because we have a lot of customers who are in Tampa. Our full-service division, Signal Connect, specializes in satellite TV service for boats and RVs. There are a lot of boats that call Tampa home, far more than let’s say Duluth. It just makes sense.
What can you do if your local channels on DIRECTV just went away?
If you’re in a city that has just lost standard definition local channels, you have options. You can add an over-the-air antenna to bring back all the channels you lost and more. You can use the free DIRECTV app on your streaming device to watch those local channels. It’s even possible to watch on-demand content on the app on your phone or streaming box. Of course, an internet connection is needed for this method.
You can also upgrade your DIRECTV system. You’ll need an HD-capable dish and HD-capable equipment. That’s a pretty low bar considering that every piece of DIRECTV equipment made since 2011 meets this criterion. If you’re in a home or business, it’s really a minor expense. To get the upgrade done and save the most money, call the experts at Signal Connect at 888-233-7563.
If you’re on a boat or in an RV, it could be a little more expensive. It takes a lot more technology to make a satellite dish work while you’re in motion. This makes the dishes themselves much more expensive. If you’re in an RV you’ll need to upgrade to a KING Phoenix or Winegard Trav’ler Pro. If you’re in a boat you’ll want an Intellian s6HD or KVH UHD7. These are big investments to be sure, but with one of these choices, you’re futureproof. There are no plans to change the way these signals are broadcast for at least a decade.
Can anything else be done?
There are other options, for sure. But it’s something you need an expert for. If you’ve lost local channels on DIRECTV and you want to know your options, call the people who’ve helped thousands of customers with this same problem. We can lay out all the options for you. We’ll tell you what equipment you need. Your Signal Connect rep will even tell you what it will all cost. And, if there’s a way to do it for the least amount possible, we’ll let you know that too.
It all starts with one call to 888-233-7563. Our Signal Connect techs are waiting for your call. Just call during East Coast business hours. If it’s after hours, no problem! Fill out the form at the bottom of this article. We’ll get right back to you!
