How do I get out of market local channels?

December 19, 2006 12:22 PM

I live in Minneapolis, and I'm trying to determine how I can get the local Chicago channels on TV. I do have Direct TV, but with the Minn/St. Paul channels. Is there any way to do this through Direct TV, and if not, is there any other way to get the local Chicago channels?
posted by astorias to technology (10 comments total)

It's no longer possible with Directv like it was 5 years ago, they do spot beaming where you can only get your own locals plus east coast/west coast in Minnesota.

Perhaps buy a friend in Chicago a Slingbox?

For a little background, the old way was to have a billing address in Chicago for your directv and they would give you Chicago locals, or hack the box but we all know how that ended.
posted by thilmony at 12:31 PM on December 19, 2006

Do you have friends in Chicago?

If you were to (nudge, nudge) "Move to their address in Chicago" As far as DTV would know they would need to switch your local channels.

Getting DTV to give you local stations other than the ones their computer says your zip code should have is like pulling teeth.

and It is nearly impossible these days to keep up with getting hacked smart cards that let you watch all local channels nationwide. (I hear)
posted by Megafly at 12:33 PM on December 19, 2006

I live in Chicago. Wanna "live" with me?
posted by rbs at 1:10 PM on December 19, 2006

I think normal cable in Minneapolis includes WGN, but I don't know anything about the specifics of Direct TV.
posted by B-squared at 2:06 PM on December 19, 2006

I don't think it's the mailing address but rather your home phone number (remember they need a phone line connection?) that determines your home market with DirecTV, so you can't "move your address to Chicago".
posted by Doohickie at 2:11 PM on December 19, 2006

Phone line does not identify your location after the initial setup.

Don't ask me how I know this, wink wink.

Set it up in a friendly location in Chicago, then take it home with you.
posted by freeflytim at 5:42 PM on December 19, 2006

They'd really *like* you to keep the phone line plugged in, but it's not a technical requirement. It's only there to report Pay Per View purchases. If you never hook up the phone line, your receiver will probably let you buy six or eight Pay Per Views, but then, without being able to call in and report them, won't let you buy any more until it can.

We've got a DirecTV receiver up at a trailer where there is no phone, and it works just fine. I've been a DirecTV customer for about ten years, and I think I've ordered perhaps one Pay Per View program in that time.
posted by xiojason at 7:08 PM on December 19, 2006

If the phone number is a problem, go to Grand Central and register for a local Chicago or Chicagoland number.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 7:26 PM on December 19, 2006

You can also buy your Pay-Per-Views through the DirecTV Web site, and you will be able to use your receiver fully without it being plugged into a phone line.
posted by kindall at 8:10 PM on December 19, 2006

So....I should just tell DTV that I'm moving to Chicago, psuedo disconnect my equipment, then call them up again (DTV) and tell them I'm now in Chicago?
posted by astorias at 10:38 AM on December 22, 2006