Free-To-Air Satellite TV
There is free-to-air satellite TV in many parts of the world including Europe, New Zealand, Australia, the southern part of Asia, the USA, etc. Internetlion.com wants you to know that, though it is called free-to-air satellite TV, it is not always entirely free satellite TV (USA) as the name suggests.
Free-to-air satellite TV is programming that is unencrypted. The FTA TV is captured by free-to-air satellite receivers and satellite dishes that meet the usual specifications (about 30 inches or so). The satellite television you receive from Internetlion.com, a DISH Network® retailer, is encrypted and requires a subscription to one of their channel packages. While free-to-air satellite TV requires no such paid subscription and can be easily pulled in with free-to-air satellite receivers and satellite dishes, it is rarely 100% free satellite TV (USA) because, in some cases, they are paid for with taxpayer funds, license fees or donations, etc. Plus, of course, there’s the cost of the free-to-air satellite receivers and dishes.
There is also free-to-air television that is not sent via satellite, but rather through VHF or UHF bands that are unencrypted as well. This is the case for many parts of the world. Free-to-air television is widely used for international programming. DISH Network has more international channels than many other satellite providers, including the more than 230 channels found in its DishLATINO Max package. However, it is possible to receive more than a thousand satellite channels for free. Though, again, many of the channels are fairly specialized as to the content and for free digital satellite quality channels, you need free-to-air satellite receivers. The free satellite TV (USA) option is gaining momentum and you will find a community on the internet dedicated to the topic. However, because, in English, free-to-air satellite TV is limited to channels like the Pentagon Channel, Peace TV and the Research Channel, it is not likely to take away viewers who enjoy HBO®, the Disney Channel or even local news.
What are the ways to get free satellite TV (USA)?
If you are already paying monthly for satellite television service and want to switch to receive FTA satellite TV, you will need:
- Your satellite dish
- An FTA satellite receiver
- An unobstructed southern path to the sky
- An LNBF––Ku band
- A motor to move your satellite dish so that it is capable of capturing from more than one satellite
- A signal strength meter (analog or digital)
However, getting up and running is not as simple as it is with a provider like DISH Network. DISH Network has entertainment program bundles designed to bring you a collection of channels you want to have. With FTA TV, you have to do a good deal of hunting for channels you want. Then, you have to find out which satellite transmits them? What format are they in? What frequency are they on? Do you have the equipment you need to pull them in? You have to work pretty hard for your free satellite TV (USA). Luckily, there are a number of sites that do some of the work for you. There are, for instance, sites that have compiled master lists of the channels for North America. These lists usually include the language the channel is in and the satellite beaming it. It’s a good tip to start here.
Did DISH Network provide free DTV with a free digital TV converter?
Yes. DISH Network may not be free, but it has done its part to help people receive digital television for free with a free digital TV converter. During the mandatory DTV transition from analog to digital television by June 12, 2009 in the US, DISH Network designed what would be a free digital TV converter box. DISH Network made sure this free digital TV converter (the TR-40 CRA) was included for eligibility in the government’s coupon program. While others sold their converter boxes for $70 or more, DISH Network designed, what CNET Reviews called “…your top choice” and sold it for $40, which is how much the government provided in their coupon program. DISH Network ensured Americans could get digital television with its free digital TV converter and made it the top of the line. After their free digital TV converter, DISH Network was the very first to create a converter with the much-desired digital video recorder capability to further enhance the DTV experience.
What if you have a DISH Network over the air antenna?
You enjoy over the air programming and want to know if it can be included in your DISH Network program guide. You have a DISH Network over the air antenna and want to know what else you need to view the OTA channels on multiple channels and even record. If you have an over the air antenna, DISH Network receiver and an over the air module ($29.99), you can connect your OTA antenna into your receiver allowing you access to local channels. 2 receiver models require the module and 6 have an OTA module already built in. Using your Dish Network over the air antenna requires you to have an active DISH Network account. But, DISH promises it won’t take much to enjoy your OTA channels after some simple steps.
