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The News-Gazette

Oct. 14--CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- DirecTV customers in East Central Illinois can now receive local television channels by satellite.

Bob Ochsner, a spokesman for DirecTV, said his company began the transmission of eight local television channels for the Champaign-Urbana and Danville markets on Tuesday.

Oshsner said East Central Illinois is among 24 new markets in the United States to benefit from a recent relocation of one of the company's satellites to a new orbital location.

The new location allows DirecTV to beam broadcast signals from television stations in Champaign, Urbana, Decatur and Springfield to homes subscribing to DirecTV services.

There is one catch, however. In order for DirecTV customers to receive the local channels, they must add a second 18-inch dish pointed to the relocated satellite.

According to Ochsner, the local broadcast channel package will be available in combination with a "Total Choice" programming package available for $39.99 per month.

Ochsner said the second dish will be provided and installed free by DirecTV.

New and existing customers may call 1-800-DIRECTV for details.

"With the addition of Champaign-Urbana and the other 23 markets, DirecTV will serve 130 markets with local channels, covering 92 percent of U.S. television households," Ochsner said.

Channels available on the new local satellite package include: WCIA Channel 3 (CBS), Champaign.

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