# What's on DirecTV channel 51?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 18, 2007, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029 "2007-08-18T05:15:16Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2007, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/1 "2007-08-18T05:15:16Z")
Thread title is basically the question. (I’ve got Dish Network, so can’t check, heh.) I’m copyediting a novel in which a character is channel surfing on DirecTV and stops at channel 51 because there’s something interesting there. I looked at DirecTV’s online channel lineup, and they all seem to be three-digit numbers (even PPV) except for the HD channels, which I don’t think these characters would subscribe to. Is there a non-HD channel 51, and if so, what is it? I’d like to be able to query the author if it’s an unlikely choice, because the audience for this book is likely to know.
I’ve gotta return this on Monday, so quick answers appreciated. Thanks much!
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### Author:  [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2007, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/2 "2007-08-18T05:25:45Z")
51 would probably be a local channel.
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### Author:  [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2007, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/3 "2007-08-18T05:31:56Z")
Channel 51? Secret alien TV shows.
I’ve said too much already.
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### Author:  [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2007, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/4 "2007-08-18T05:38:01Z")
[http://www.gtn51.com/wsfj/](http://www.gtn51.com/wsfj/)
[http://www.soullinetv.com/](http://www.soullinetv.com/)
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### Author:  [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2007, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/5 "2007-08-18T13:12:12Z")
So it’s conceivable that something interesting (in the context of the novel; the soul thing wouldn’t be quite right, but a local channel would do) could be on DirecTV channel 51. Cool. Thanks much, guys!
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### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [August 18, 2007, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/6 "2007-08-18T20:34:11Z")
The Hi-Def channels start at 70, so 51 would be a local channel. In Los Angeles, there is no channel 51.
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### Author:  [@Rhubarb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhubarb)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2007, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/7 "2007-08-19T00:41:38Z")
[QUOTE=SaintCad]
The Hi-Def channels start at 70, so 51 would be a local channel. In Los Angeles, there is no channel 51.
[/QUOTE]
Ditto for the Dallas/Fort Worth area. No channel 51 on DirecTV at all.
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### Author:  [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2007, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/8 "2007-08-19T03:30:09Z")
[QUOTE=Scarlett67]
So it’s conceivable that something interesting (in the context of the novel; the soul thing wouldn’t be quite right, but a local channel would do) could be on DirecTV channel 51. Cool. Thanks much, guys!
[/QUOTE]
Depends on where the guy lives. What if he’s in a city that doesn’t have channel 51 assigned to a broadcaster?
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### Author:  [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2007, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/9 "2007-08-19T14:21:36Z")
Hm, OK. The story is set in Miami. Anybody got data for Miami?
(It’s a young-adult novel, so I’m sure readers aren’t likely to know specifically whether Ch. 51 isn’t possible (unless they live in Miami . . .); mostly I just wanted to check on the 2-digit thing. But let’s see where this goes!)
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### Author:  [@NadaHappyCamper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NadaHappyCamper)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2007, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/10 "2007-08-19T22:30:10Z")
seattle,right now, festival del humor.
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### Author:  [@SeanFlanagan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeanFlanagan)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/11 "2007-08-19T22:41:46Z")
There is a channel 51 on DirecTV in Miami; it is the Telemundo affiliate, so like in Seattle it is Spanish language.
(Per Yahoo TV listings.)
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### Author:  [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2007, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/12 "2007-08-19T23:00:34Z")
Scarlett, the local DirecTV channels are assigned based on their local call signals. So, it you have “Channel 5 NEWS at FIVE” then that station would be on DirecTV channel 5.
So if you had a old local UHF channel 51, then DirecTV would broadcast it on channel…or I should say, transponder 51. It is totally for the local viewer’s convenience.
OTOH, why do you have to specify DirectTV? Just say satellite TV or some such thing?
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### Author:  [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)
#### Post date: [August 19, 2007, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/13 "2007-08-19T23:35:26Z")
OK, on that new info I’ll query, as the characters aren’t likely to be enjoying a Spanish-language program.
Thanks, everybody!
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### Author:  [@Drum\_God](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drum_God)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-on-directv-channel-51/416029/14 "2007-08-20T00:20:15Z")
In the Austin DMA, ch 51 is the Austin Telefutura (Spanish) affiliate.