DirecTV customers to receive local channels

DirecTV customers in Yuma who have not had access to local channels will soon be able to receive programing from KECY FOX 9, ABC 5, the CW and Telemundo as part of their satellite programming.

The programs will be in High Definition (HD) if available.

DirectTV has contributed about $1 million dollars in cutting edge technology and fiber optics which have been installed at the KECY Fox 9 office, 1965 South 4th Avenue.

“They made a significant investment,” said Jorge Lopez, KECY FOX 9 chief engineer.

“They provided everything - the electrical work, all the equipment installation and the cost of new fiber optics in the building and across the street. It is state of the art - absolutely brand new technology.”

Qwest is currently connecting fiber optic lines from the FOX building and underneath 4th Avenue to a network which runs all the way to DirecTV in Los Angeles.

“We are going to provide everything we have in high definition to them directly,” Lopez said.

The signal will then be beamed to the local satellite dishes of subscribers.

The new system could potentially offer the same HD options as cable, which already provides local channels in high definition.

The development will also give local customers more options when choosing a provider, said KECY Fox 9 general manager Paul Heebink.

“That is good for the consumer because now they have essentially three players that will offer 200 plus channels.”

Dish Network also provides local channels, though not in HD.

Previously, if DirecTV customers wanted local channels they had to get them off air, Lopez explained.

“Up to this point in time a significant amount of DirecTV customers did not have access to the local channels unless they went out and bought an antenna, so most people didn't bother.”

As a result many customers chose to get waivers signed off by the local affiliate allowing them to receive FOX from other markets.

“We used to process 200 to 250 waivers a week up to about a month or so ago,” Lopez said.

“That is thousands and thousands over the last few years. Now the customers won't need waivers because they will have access to all the local channels.”

That is good for the local economy and for advertisers, Heebink said.

“It will be a plus for our advertisers because we are adding another segment of market that will receive local messages, so that's huge I think.”

For more information about what will be available on DirecTV, call 1-888-777-2454.