Secondly, I have been to both web sites and, believe it or not, right now DirectTV is actually cheaper than Dish (at least, for the channels I want). But I'm still unsure about whether local network channels are available with them, as they are with Dish.
I earlier made the comment that some of the channels available on their most basic package disappear after that. That turned out to be untrue; it's just that if you want them with more channels you have to jump way up the line in packages before they're available again. DirectTV, on the other hand, has them with the first package up from basic. So right now Direct looks cheaper. But I have time to ponder.
I don't care about DVR's or HD (we only have two televisions and they are both old-fashioned "box" types), and about the only sport I care for (aside from watching Daytona and Indy 500 on local network channels) is Major League Baseball. I actually have a visceral dislike of football (especially professional football) and don't understand why it is so popular in the South or among conservatives; baseball will always be the Great American Game.
For the moment it's nice to be saving the money that had been going to the cable company, so I will probably take my time about fixing the situation. I've also got a good price on my DSL until next August.
BTW, since we have our phone and Internet through ATT, it might pay further to go with Direct (their partner).
Finally, there are, as of yet, no trees in the yard here . . . something that has been a sore spot with this little household for some time. But I guess that means whatever trees are set out will be easy to avoid when the dish goes up.
Again, thanks to each and every one of you.
As for Obama using TV to beam propaganda, I look at it this way . . . our water is no longer fluoridated, so that's a good trade-off (jk).