If you’ve been blissfully rolling down the road in your RV these past ten years, you might have heard some nasty rumors. Satellite TV, they say, isn’t going to be possible in an RV fairly soon. The party’s over, they say. You aren’t worried, but you remember the days when your RV got over-the-air TV. Those days are gone… does that mean satellite TV is next?
The real story
Here’s the absolute truth: DIRECTV is actively turning off standard definition local channels. A lot of RVs don’t have dishes that can get the high definition versions of these channels. However, there are four things you need to know here.
- The issue only affects people with DIRECTV. DISH customers are completely unaffected.
- DIRECTV stopped taking orders for new standard definition service without special waivers close to a decade ago.
- DIRECTV’s satellite at the 119 location, where a lot of standard definition locals are, is moving toward shutting down. The original shutdown date was 2019, but since that’s passed DIRECTV is now moving aggressively to shut it down. That satellite mostly held standard definition local channels.
- Most high-definition channels from DIRECTV require a mobile dish some people don’t have, because it’s big and expensive. Most RV satellite dishes for DIRECTV can only receive programming from the 101 location, where there are only about 6 HD channels.
All of that sounds pretty scary, right? Let’s dig in and explain each one of those statements as it relates to RV users.
Issue 1: DIRECTV vs DISH
DIRECTV customers are the only ones affected by this. The rumor mill would have you believe that DISH customers are also affected but that isn’t true. DISH has been consolidating its satellite fleet recently, and has eliminated a lot of standard definition service. But your older satellite dish will still work. If you still have an SD-only receiver, you may need to upgrade.
Issue 2: Standard Definition service on DIRECTV
Since 2016, it’s been practically impossible to activate a new SD-only account or a new SD receiver on DIRECTV. Even customers with existing SD accounts have been offered upgrade deals for over 7 years to move toward HD-compatible equipment. If you haven’t been aware or haven’t take advantage of this, you should call us at Signal Connect at 888-233-7563 during East Coast business hours. We’ll get you taken care of.
Issue 3: DIRECTV’s 119 location
This is mostly a non-issue for RV users. If you travel outside your local area, you’re probably not getting local channels anyway so it doesn’t matter what satellite they’re on. At some point that satellite will completely go away and there will probably be a firmware update to existing receivers that will automatically handle that.
Issue 4: DIRECTV’s 101 location
The 101 satellite location has DIRECTV’s largest and most comprehensive satellite on it. It’s capable of supporting well over 100 national HD channels plus a large number of SD ones as well. Currently there are only about 6 HD channels on it, but that may change as SD duplicates are phased out.
None of this should concern you. If you have a modern DIRECTV receiver, anything that you’ve put in since about 2015, you’re going to be ok. That receiver will pull in those broadcasts from the 101 location whether they are HD or SD. This is true even if you’re connecting to an old tube TV. If you don’t know what receiver you have, call us at 888-233-7563 and we’ll help you figure it out.
Here’s what you can do
You have options. Some are simple, and some will take a bit of investment.
Wait it out. Everything will work out eventually
There is a possibility that some high-definition channels will be available with the satellite dish you have. Technically, it’s possible for over 100 high-definition channels to fit on DIRECTV’s existing satellites at the 101 location. We don’t know what the plans are yet but it is possible that those channels would be accessible to you. This is the safest option, but it could have you scrambling when you get close to the finish line and we really begin to understand what the options are.
Upgrade your dish
The idea that RV’s can’t get high definition channels on DIRECTV, that’s a myth. There absolutely are options. However, you are a bit more limited. The “in-motion” dish for DIRECTV HD is quite a bit larger, and that may mean some really creative installation options if you are determined to use it.
There are options, however, that work when you’re at rest for the night. With these options you have all the same choices for receivers and other hardware that you have at home, and this is a tried-and-true solution that delivers the TV you’re looking for… it’s just that it doesn’t work when the RV’s moving. If that’s ok with you, then you’re set.
Use the DIRECTV app for phones and tablets, and stream for free.
In many cases, DIRECTV customers can stream their content for FREE. DIRECTV offers over 100 channels of live TV and over 15,000 on demand programs on your phone or tablet. This potentially includes programs from your home DVR as well.
In a case like this you can replace your tiny TV with a tablet and your passengers can enjoy great TV while you’re driving. However, you’ll need a good internet option. The folks at Signal Connect can help you with hotspots and cellular boosters that will ensure you get great signal no matter where you are.
Here’s the real solution
The best solution is to make friends with the people at Signal Connect, the commercial and mobile arm of Solid Signal. As the nation’s premier RV activation specialist, they have the inside track on all the changes that are happening and no one is going to know more about what’s going on than they do.
It starts with a call to 888-233-7563. You won’t get a call center, you’ll get someone in our 100% US-based offices who wants to start a relationship, not make a sale. One call means you have a friend in the business, and that’s the best feeling, right?
So yes, if you’re a DIRECTV customer with an in-motion dish on your RV, you may have some decisions to make. Best news is, you don’t have to make them alone.
