(MONEY Magazine) – Last November, Congress gave satellite-TV providers the go-ahead to sell local network signals. Previously, homeowners with direct broadcast satellite (DBS) dishes had to pay for cable service to watch local programs. "This was the last barrier to the explosion of satellite TV," says Jennifer Buckley of satellite trade group SBCA.

What does this mean for you? Expect to see heavy advertising from cable companies and the two main DBS providers, DirecTV (800-347-3288; www.directv.com) and EchoStar (800-333-3474; www.dishnetwork.com), but don't look for a price war just yet. "Satellite providers have already lowered the entrance barrier a lot," says the Yankee Group's Bruce Leichtman. The basic equipment, including the dish, is about $100, and popular programming packages sell for less than $30 a month, making satellite TV nearly as affordable as cable.

This new law could help narrow the gap even more. Even though you'll likely pay another $5 a month for local service, that's far less than even the most basic monthly cable rates. Not everyone will benefit right away, however. If you have DBS service in one of the 20 largest markets, you may be able to get a handful of local channels--ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and PBS--through your satellite provider almost immediately. But, since satellites have limited capacity, providers are targeting heavily populated areas first. Leichtman predicts that "other markets won't be seeing their locals anytime soon."

--L.W.