SAT TV local news question

[charles p]

What controls the local news channels in a Sat. TV setup?  Is their a chip in the receiver or antennae?  My neighbor has a dish he brought to NC from Philadelphia and he still gets their local news.  At my NC zip code, I am assigned to a Norfolk VA market, but I wish to receive NC news instead.

The barrier island I live on is tied to the Norfolk market. Twenty miles across the sound on the mainland, their dishes receive the NC local stations I prefer.

Does anyone know how I can obtain NC local news broadcast where I currently live (in NC)?  When I call the sales lines for Direct and Dish TV, I just get a telemarketer.  They do not understand my problem nor can they direct me to anyone who is a problem solver.

[Pat/Rick]

Pretty much what I experience here. I'm in so WA but I get Portland,OR channels. I think it because its the closest metro area. I dunno.

[trotterlg]

IT is tied to where you live, the receiver is programmed by Dish to receive what they consider your local channels, probably a deal between local stations and Dish.  The signals for local channels are on spot beams, so you will not be physically able to get the signal from say Seattle if you live in Detroit, even if your billing address allows the Seattle local stations.  If you want local stations in one area you need a billing address that allows for that and be in an area where the signal reaches you.  Larry

[charles p]

I live 3 hours from Norfolk VA and almost line of site across the sound from NC markets, and I live in NC, not VA.  Seattle to Detroit analogy is not applicable.  Can I travel to the mainland and purchase a dish, then have it installed on the barrier island where I live?

My neighbor gets Philadelphia local stations on a unit he brought down to NC.

[trotterlg]

What stations you receive depends on where Dish thinks the receiver is physically located.  Most likely your billing address however if you have it installed some place else the installer may rat you out.  I have two receivers for my setup, I have one in Seattle and one in Arizona, dish thinks both are in my house in Seattle, so I get the seattle sports programs when in Arizona.  Larry