The Satellite Home Viewer Act, (SHVA), has been federal law since 1988. It was designed to protect the rights of the viewers, broadcast networks, local television stations, and the producers of television programs. The SHVA lists specific conditions to determine if a household is eligible for satellite delivered network service. The conditions are simple, yet often times misunderstood. Satellite carriers, retailers and broadcasters are all bound to this set of rules.

The ABC broadcast network represents only a portion of the WCHS-TV8 program schedule. All Eyewitness News programs are locally produced and are unavailable on satellite. Other programs, like Hollywood Squares and Entertainment Tonight, are locally licensed. If you were to switch from WCHS-TV8 to an alternative ABC broadcast network signal, you will not receive the same programming.

Under the SHVA, network affiliated television stations own the local franchise for network programming. In the Charleston-Huntington area, if you want to watch the ABC broadcast network, you must receive it from WCHS-TV8.

Satellite carriers are prohibited from providing the ABC broadcast network to any household capable of receiving a Grade B signal from WCHS-TV8 using a conventional outdoor rooftop antenna. It is not relevant under the SHVA if the household is actually using an outdoor antenna.

A household is also ineligible for satellite delivered broadcast network service if the viewer received network programming through cable television 90-days before subscribing to satellite service.

FULL TEXT OF THE SATELLITE HOME VIEWER ACT

The easiest thing to do is get a good quality rooftop antenna to operate in conjunction with the satellite dish. The outdoor antenna will enable you to watch the ABC broadcast network for free on WCHS-TV8. Outdoor antennas are inexpensive when compared to the cost of a satellite dish. The antennas are readily available from several retail outlets in the area.

If you have an outdoor antenna, you'll want to make sure it is properly connected to your TV set. The antenna should be oriented toward WCHS-TV8's tower near St Albans, WV. If you need additional assistance in receiving WCHS-TV8 please use the following link.

LINK TO WCHS-TV8 RECEPTION INFORMATION

The SHVA permits broadcast network affiliates the right to grant a waiver to satellite viewers with special reception circumstances.

Some viewers ask for waiver letters because their homeowners association does not permit outdoor antennas. This situation does not qualify for a waiver. In 1996, the Federal Communications Commission and the State of California overruled all community ordinances and homeowners association covenants prohibiting rooftop antennas.

As of November 29, 1999 and the passage of the Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act, ALL requests for waivers must be submitted through a viewers satellite programming provider. NO direct inquiries will be acted upon.

Official FCC site for complete wording of the Satellite Home Viewer Act.

Or for more information or specific questions, you can e-mail:
Director of Engineering, WCHS-TV8 (ABC) engineering@wchstv.com