CBS - Directv Feed is On for Tampa..

[rcmckissick]

This probably is known to all already...and I actually figured out how to get it via antenna...but the feed from Directv (NY for east feed) is wonderful. There is a west coast feed too you can buy...each is 1.50 or so extra. I don't think you need to buy the HD package to get these, especially if they are going to charge you individually, but I forgot to ask.

Good viewing..Bob

[buckeyes]

I think you must be in an area that DTV has determined that you are unable to pick up the local CBS feed via antenna. I checked my status and they determined I am not eligible for the NY feed. I live in Riverview and can pick up CBS with a table top antenna.

[jaymer]

hi Bob, and thanks for the direct email and the post... but we're not supposed to be able to get CBS from DirecTV... at least not most people in the area.
where do you live?

i entered this in another thread:
you can check your eligibility for CBS via DirecTV here:
http://directvdnseligibility.decisionmark.com/app/AddressEntry.asp

more info here:
http://www.directv.com/see/landing/cbs_hd.html

I entered a lakeland address and was not eligible due to "grade b" - but you might live further away than the test address i used.

Bob, also, I didn't get what you meant in your email about D* allowing us to get access to "all the networks except FOX"

jaymer...

[rcmckissick]

Hi Jaymer,
Even though my address doesn't show that I receive CBS or any station for that matter, without a waiver, I talked with a Directv Customer Service Rep and he said that I was ok and that the only station that would be a problem and not allow the NY feed was FOX...because FOX was independently owned. He said I was fine with getting the feed and turned it on for me.

Maybe the Directv Customer Service guy messed up...but instead of checking directly just by the address...has anyone actually called and asked to get this via a programming change via the customer service feed?

I know sometimes stations will give satelite and cable companies a global waiver. If not....guess I was just lucky to get it changed...?

Bob

[jaymer]

lucky? well, if you didn't have a HD source for the superbowl before today... and now you do, then ya, i'd say so :)

weekends are usually slow around here, but maybe this is worth a special mailing out to the membership for those D* folk that don't know about this.

I'm sure we'll have more on this subject in the upcoming week.

thx for letting us know Bob,
jaymer...

[rcmckissick]

Hi Jaymer,
Even though my address doesn't show that I receive CBS or any station for that matter, without a waiver, I talked with a Directv Customer Service Rep and he said that I was ok and that the only station that would be a problem and not allow the NY feed was FOX...because FOX was independently owned. He said I was fine with getting the feed and turned it on for me.

Maybe the Directv Customer Service guy messed up...but instead of checking directly just by the address...has anyone actually called and asked to get this via a programming change via the customer service feed?

I know sometimes stations will give satelite and cable companies a global waiver. If not....guess I was just lucky to get it changed...?

Bob

[Mag88]

Bob,

What exactly did you ask the D* CSR to get the CBS feed? It shows on my guide but says that Tampa is not eligible. Sure would be nice to get CBS HD over D* instead of the iffy reception 10-1 OTA that I get now.

Thanks,

Jim

[rcmckissick]

Jim,

I just called in and went through the phone menu to get to change programming. I believe his name was Bill and I told him I could pick up CBS with an antenna, but the idea of getting a Directv feed was better for me...because I currently have to 'flip' between two antenna's to get CBS (didn't go with a jointenna initially...but was thinking about it).

I told him that I had the HD package and noticed on my screen that CBS was there now and wondered how I could get this. He checked something and said I could get it and then if I wanted both the east and west feeds. Living here, I didn't really see the help of a west coast feed (living in California...another story because I could watch late shows early).

He also told me that all of the locals would be accessable at some point except FOX.

Maybe he did mess up...but I am not sure he did.

Hope this helps..Bob

[bdraw]

The CSR has it backwards, we are not supposed to get CBS because it is owned by Garnet. Our Fox station on the other hand is owned by Fox, so are eligible to recieve it. I am sure they will get it all figured out after a week or so.

[baja]

I just called to get it added on to my already HD pkg. The first SR told me "no probelm and there will be no additional charge". However she could not get it to program up on my receiver so she transfered me to the next rep. That SR put me on hold to check if I was eligable. He came back and said that they had no waivers for Tampa and could no turn it on for me. He told me he would send a waiver out for me and I should hear something back in the next 45 days. He said if they did get the waiver it would only be for CBS East and there would be no additional charge to my HD package for it.

[rcmckissick]

I think they have a lot of customer service personnel. Sounds like they really just really are not trained to all know the same things. The other poster may have been right in that FOX maybe the only one we should be able to get...but I had heard the opposite from another source last week.

If it were me...I would call back every couple of hours and if you get another rep....try it with them...who knows...maybe you will get 'lucky' like I did. I wouldn't even tell them where you are living...just that you noticed the channels on the screen and wanted to know how to get them.

[jaymer]

... or even tell them you don't live in tampa anymore and you are calling from Mulberry.

actually, that wont work. i just tried a bunch of addresses and i cannot find one thats eligible.... even a Mulberry was listed as Grade A.
and this address way south... i bet there's no way you could get CBS HD from here:
13231 STATE ROAD 674
fort lonesome, FL 33547

From the reports I'm getting in, no one is having any success other than Bob.

[teampozer]

The only people that are going to qualify are those in rural areas that already have the New York or Los Angeles stations as their "locals". You'll probably also qualify if you're far enough south (Sarasota / Venice / Port Charlotte / Ft. Myers) because CBS affiliate WINK-TV does not have their digital HD signal operational yet. I think this whole deal was struck so everyone would have HD available to them for SuperBowl.

[bdraw]

I would sugest you look for a station that is Owned and Operated by CBS, and say you live near it.

[teampozer]

The fact remains is that your DirecTV account is tied to a physical address / zip code / phone number. Simply giving them a new (fake) address or zip will eventually change your programming/blackout package (for example: receiving Sunshine and FSN). It's also probably tied to your billing address on your credit card. If safeguards such as these weren't built in, people would have free reign on what local stations they want on their account and so forth. What's to keep me from saying I live out in the country with no local service so I can get all the NY/LA stations. Then use my OTA receiver to get my actual Tampa Bay stations. Trust me.... even if you get it turned on, it probably won't be long before computers and billing figures out something's not right.

[jaymer]

well, i did it quite easily about 1.5 yrs ago on Dish.
Got a friend' address and told them i'd moved - they just sent the monthy bill there. was easy.

i did it to get West Coast feeds cause I wanted to come home later, and catch shows from the West Coast.
when i had Primestar, I could play soccer on friday nights, then come home late and still see Millenium and Xfiles from the West... was awesome. But those were Pre-Tivo days...and I doubt I actually used the Dish WC channels for much, unless I forgot to Tivo something and could catch the replay.

[dta316]

Who owns WTSP in Tampa?

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2002/07/31/utility/main517034.shtml