Starting Thursday, some Bowling Green residents will have more options when they turn on their TVs.

Satellite provider DISH Network is expanding its Bowling Green services, offering local channels WBKO-ABC, WNKY-CBS, WNKY-NBC and WBKO-FOX.

DISH Network will be the first satellite provider to offer local channels in the area, and the first to offer local satellite channels in every market in the United States, according to Francie Bauer, spokeswoman for DISH Network.

The expansion was made possible by the Satellite Television Extension and Localism Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law last week.

The act modifies fees and rules regarding satellite providers, making it easier for providers, like DISH Network, to offer local channels.

For those who already subscribe to DISH Network, the expansion will allow them to get local stations via satellite after they change their subscriptions. And, the new channels give other residents more options when trying to decide whether to subscribe to cable or satellite.

“Local channels are extremely important for folks, whether it’s for local weather, news, information, sports or what have you,” Bauer said. “We understand that, and we’re really excited to offer the big four (local stations) in Bowling Green.”

In Bowling Green, many residents who use satellite pull local stations off the air through an antenna.

“Now they’re going to be incorporated into their satellite package,” Bauer said, adding that existing customers must call to modify their subscription before receiving the local channels.

DISH Network had been able to offer satellite channels in larger markets, but Bowling Green was among 29 markets where it had not been feasible for the company.

In small markets that only offer one or two local stations, the new law allows satellite providers to pull stations from bigger, neighboring markets and offer them locally. This makes it more feasible for DISH to invest in those small, mainly rural markets, Bauer said.

The act “gives us the ability to apply for a distance signal license,” she said. “There are investments that have to be made in the market. It definitely requires an investment.”

The other major satellite TV provider in Bowling Green – DirecTV – has not made an announcement about offering local channels and could not be reached for comment this morning.

DISH Network will now offer local channels in all 210 of its markets.

Bauer could not comment on the number of subscribers in Bowling Green, but 14.3 million people across the nation subscribe to DISH Network, she said.