This topic has been discussed before. But, with Feb. 17 looming closer, it might be timely to bring it up again.

according to a recent article: “Dish now has ..local HD available in 152 markets”

However, it is the only major provider not carrying PBS locals in HD.

according to the FCC agreement:
by Feb. 17, 2010, DirecTV and Dish Network need to provide full HD carriage in 15% of their HD markets.”…”The benchmark jumps to 30% in the second year, 60% in the third and 100% in the fourth.”

152x15%= at least 22 markets where Dish will be required to carry all HD stations (including PBS locals if those markets have them) by Feb. 17, 2010. But, which markets?

Will they go for the top markets? or "eastern arc" markets? or have they already qualified by counting smaller markets with just a few stations, plus Alaska where they are already required to carry all HD locals?

Many viewers can not get locals over the air. In Los Angeles, for example, a lot of people (including me) live in canyons and have no reception.