The FCC rules have not been super clear, but if I am not mistaken any station can request must carry for their digital signal.
But then the carrier does not have to carry the NTSC signal (and they have to only carry the 'main' signal when the station is multicasting).
There are a LOT more people with NTSC only Dish Network receivers than there are people with Dish 6000 units, so it would not make much economic sense.
Could some PITA station really request digital must carry for their 1080i signal? What if they was their only signal?
But then the carrier does not have to carry the NTSC signal (and they have to only carry the 'main' signal when the station is multicasting).
There are a LOT more people with NTSC only Dish Network receivers than there are people with Dish 6000 units, so it would not make much economic sense.
Could some PITA station really request digital must carry for their 1080i signal? What if they was their only signal?