A free to air satellite TV is a satellite television you can receive without subscription. You will see it as FTA satellite TV as well. Unlike other subscription-based services (such as the Direct TV or Dish Network services), you can watch a variety of programs with no monthly cost.
Something else interesting to be pointed out is that there are certain channels are advertised as free to air satellite TV channels but in fact, they are paid. Some of them depend on donations, for others the consumer should pay a license fee (such as BBC).
If you are eager to try this option, here is a list of the equipment you will need.
The Satellite dish
First, you will need a satellite dish with the appropriate frequency. Your dish should be either C Band or Ku Band. Than you still need a receiver as the free to air satellite TV programs are encoded. You should get a FTA satellite receiver, as it will be able to decode the MPEG-2 data compression protocol used in most free to air satellite transitions. However, you should be aware that your receiver would not be able to decode the paid channels. In case you are interested in receiving free to air satellite TV channels, you will need an antenna motor as well.
The Satellite Service
So let us now see which free to air satellite TV programs you will be able to watch.
There are over 3000 free to air satellite TV channels available. They include mainly ethnic language program, public educational programs and individual local programs.
Here are some of the most popular US free to air satellite TV channels: ABC News Now, ATV Home Channel, NBC News Channel, Retro Jams, Research Channel. If you leave in Europe than you can benefit from much more, free to air satellite TV channels. Many European countries provide free to air television and radio programs with Germany being the most popular one with over 100 free to air channels. In Australia, both main TV broadcasters (Australian Broadcasting Corporation and the Special Broadcasting Service) are free to air.
Many people find free to air satellite TV channels a feasible option to the paid services. There are plenty of channels available free and for this reason, many people prefer to invest into the equipment and save on the monthly fees. Free to air satellite TV is an alternative for use in areas with poor terrestrial television.
