Even though DIRECTV’s been on a path to transition away from SD for 7 years, there’s still a lot of confusion about how it’s going to be done and what it means to people out there. A lot of our RV and marine customers depend on SD channels for various reasons. While losing standard definition might not be a big deal for most customers, it has the potential to make a real difference to mobile and marine folks. So, sit back and let’s talk about what’s actually going on in DIRECTV-land.
First, let’s look back
DIRECTV rolled out its first HD channels around 2005. So we’re talking about 20 years since all this started. The US broadcasting system moved to all-digital in 2009, about 15 years ago. Yet, DIRECTV continued to provide standard definition duplicates of nearly every HD channel until about 2021.
Why has DIRECTV kept this up? In a lot of ways, it’s sort of “because they can” or “because there’s no harm in it.” The primary satellite at DIRECTV’s 101 location was designed for standard definition and wasn’t really well suited to HD anyway, so using it for that purpose made sense. DIRECTV had plenty of standard definition encoders in their broadcast centers, so they had time to figure out how to move forward.
Back in 2016, DIRECTV announced that they would be retiring its aging satellite at the 119 location. This would mean turning off hundreds of standard definition channels hosted on that satellite. The original goal for that was 2019, but it was pushed forward into 2020. And then… well we all know what happened in 2020 so that plan was put on hold.
When DIRECTV’s T16 satellite launched in 2019, a major piece of the puzzle fell into place. This new, advanced satellite was built with HD and 4K in mind and its position at the 101 satellite location makes it possible to move forward. DIRECTV started actively turning off standard definition service in local markets in late 2021, and they’ve been really moving quickly since.
There’s a lot of misunderstanding out there
DIRECTV’s 101 satellite location is not going dark.
This was a common trope for several years, based on the age of the satellites at that location and their use for standard definition. However, with T16, the 101 location will still be there.
Mobile and marine dishes are not becoming obsolete.
There are a lot of satellite dishes for mobile and marine that only receive signals on the Ku band. Most of DIRECTV’s HD programs are on the 99 and 103 satellites, which don’t broadcast on the Ku band. That’s led people to think that when standard definition goes away, their satellite dishes will stop working.
That’s absolutely not true. As standard-definition channels on the 101 satellite are turned off, it will make more space on that satellite for HD programs. Right now there are 5 HD channels at the 101 location, and it’s expected that after all SD programs are turned off, there could be dozens more. Turning off SD channels will actually mean mobile and marine dishes become more valuable.
As long as your receiver was made after 2009, you have what you need.
In the last five years, DIRECTV has helped customers trade in thousands and thousands of older receivers. These have all been replaced with newer receivers that are HD-capable. If you’re able to look at the model number on your receiver (there’s a green sticker on it somewhere) if that model starts with an H, you’re all set. If it starts with a D or an R, you’ll want to trade up.
What this will all look like in the future
First off I’ll say that the roadmap isn’t public. I’m guessing here.
I expect all standard-definition local channels to leave DIRECTV by the end of 2024. There will be some national standard-definition channels that will need to remain for a while to satisfy old contracts. This move should make it possible to put a bunch of HD channels on the 101 satellite and that’s a win for everyone.
It does mean that some of our marine and mobile customers will lose access to local channels, though. Luckily Signal Connect can help. We have innovative ways to help you get the programming you want no matter where you are in the country. All you need to do is call us at 888-233-7563. We’re here during East Coast hours. If it’s after hours, fill out the form below. We’ll get right back to you!
