Satellite TV is availalbe with two groups of programming, local channels and turnaround channels.

Coming from one set, then transmitted via various cable and satellite networks, are “Turnaround Channels”. The most well known examples of turnaround channels are the pay channels like HBO, or large networks like ESPN, CNN, the BBC, etc.

These channels transmit their signal directly to the satellite provider’s distribution center, where it is beamed to the satellites in orbit.

Local channels are exactly what they sound like, channels that are local to your area.

One of the big disadvantages, especially in the early days of satellite TV, was that you couldn’t access many, if any, local channels on a satellite system. As each different satellite is able to provide signals for large areas, the most one could hope for local stations was that the nearest large city’s larger networks.

For people who don’t much care for local programming, this is no big deal, but for viewers who want to watch local newscasts and local events (like a sports game of a local university), satellite provided no options.

However, times are changing for local satellite programming.

Close To Home

In order for a satellite company to provide local channels, they must establish a presence in the local market.

Most local stations do not transmit their signal to a satellite distribution facility, with the exception of the large city networks mentioned above, so the satellite company will have to take steps in order to get that signal.

Usually, the local presence of a satellite company will be a few rooms of communication equipment and a transmitting antenna on the roof. The local signal is transmitted either by antenna or fiber-optic cable to the local satellite center, who will relay that signal to the nearest distribution center.

The signal must then be converted to digital (if it isn’t digital already), compressed to a manageable size, and then beamed to the satellite. The programming from the larger turnaround channels is already transmitted to the distribution center in an easy to manage format, so one can see all of the extra work required to transmit a local channel via satellite.

Understandably, it is not likely that local stations in sparsely populated areas will transmit by satellite.

The cost of transmission must be made up for by a large enough number of subscribers who want the local channels. So, if you live in a remote, lightly populated area, it is unlikely that you will see your local channels on satellite.

If, however, you live in a city or a large suburban area, the chances are much higher.