Newsmax and The First

DTV is shutting down the MPEG2 SD only channels so to continue using DTV you need to call and get the free MPEG2 swap offer to get an HD dish and receivers installed.

DTV didn't cancel anything Newsmax walk away from further talks if they change their mind DTV will be here.

@marge3 

SD-only TVs haven't been made in well over a decade. Tech has moved on into a HD world, with some of it dipping toes into 4K. After 20 years this is absolutely reasonable. You're not trying to continue using floppy disks and audio cassettes with current tech are you? Some channels simply started as HD-only, not having a SD broadcast. However, even legacy SD channels are carried on the MPEG-4 feed (until SD ceases to exist).

DirecTV has already started the MPEG-2/SD-only shutdown. With it they have a complimentary swap program for those with outdated equipment such as yours. If you have any R22s, don't replace them (or if that is all you have then only replace one) as they work with MPEG-4 setups.

Seems the issue is less about Newsmax and OAN, but that you are trying to hold onto ancient tech.

I currently have a DirecTV dish at two locations (one is rural) I can bring my receiver when I visit on weekends. So now it sounds like I would need to change satellite dishes and receivers at both locations in order to have service. As a single person with only standard channels package, that sounds like a hassle and a loss of service. Internet access is still an issue in rural areas where people are dependent on satellite.  I will need to explore alternatives. 

@marge3 

 All you need to do is replace the dish at your other weekend location to an HD slimline directv SWM dish. You’ll also just need to buy a SWM power inserter (granted the replacement equipment you receive is NOT an HR54 since HR54 Genie receivers power the SWM dish themselves).

As a note, I highly recommend you force the CSRs to give you an HR54 and NOT an HS17 tower receiver as the HS17 forbids the use of additional standalone HD or HDDVR receivers. This would be an issue for your case because then bringing a receiver over to the camp would be cumbersome. 

DIRECTV will install new HD equipment as well as an HD dish at the first service address/billing address on the account. You only have to worry about a dish for the second location. It’s not too bad

@marge3 

You can still take a box back and forth as long as it is a receiver, not a Client. As such do not get the Genie-2 (HS17) as that is Clients only. The dish at your rural location would be at your own cost, as DirecTV will only swap what is at the service address.

Though as a note, technically the service is one address, one account. The rural address should have its own. The reason is locals you may have, regional sports allowed, and taxes you are required to pay are based on the physical service address. The way it is supposed to work is you have two accounts and suspend one as needed when not there.

SD TVs haven't been made since shortly after your started the service. DirecTV grandfathered SD-only service in 2015, meaning no longer offered to new customers. They started their MPEG-2/SD-only shutdown as expected, but internal delays and the pandemic slowed everything down. As such, you got some extra time to swap out your legacy equipment while the shutdown completes.

Simply put, tech moves forward. You either go with it or accept you are left behind.