watching foreign channels

[Birbao]

Hi everybody,
I am new to the satellite tv world because I was lucky (or unlucky depending on how you look at it) enough to win a DirecTV satellite at a bachelor party.

My interest in satellite tv is foreign channels (specifically European channels). However, DirecTV doesn't show any (except maybe BBC America and Fox Sports World). With the repeated zapping of HU cards going on now, I was thinking of subscribing to an ExpressVu dish to get the French channels (well, it's kinda foreign) and a few other specialty channels. But I digress...

But today I did some research and discovered the information that the CRTC and the Canadian government wants to limit the foreign channels we watch.

This is making me reconsider subscribing to ExpressVu for, it will sound sappy but, moral reasons. I mean, why should I subscribe to ExpessVu if they are the ones causing all the trouble and preventing me from watching what I want? It's not their business if I like euro programming more than US and Canadian just like I choose between a green car and a red car.

My question (finally!) is, how can I receive european channels here in Canada? Do I need those really big black dishes? I don't see very many around like I used to, are they illegal now?

[Birbao]

Hi again!
I just remembered something else I wanted to add in my post above.

No one seems to have any problems with listening to shortwave radio. So why is it that International TV has to suffer but radio does not? Do the 2 relate?

[Leetch66]

Originally posted by Birbao
Hi everybody,
I am new to the satellite tv world because I was lucky (or unlucky depending on how you look at it) enough to win a DirecTV satellite at a bachelor party.

My interest in satellite tv is foreign channels (specifically European channels). However, DirecTV doesn't show any (except maybe BBC America and Fox Sports World). With the repeated zapping of HU cards going on now, I was thinking of subscribing to an ExpressVu dish to get the French channels (well, it's kinda foreign) and a few other specialty channels. But I digress...

But today I did some research and discovered the information that the CRTC and the Canadian government wants to limit the foreign channels we watch.

This is making me reconsider subscribing to ExpressVu for, it will sound sappy but, moral reasons. I mean, why should I subscribe to ExpessVu if they are the ones causing all the trouble and preventing me from watching what I want? It's not their business if I like euro programming more than US and Canadian just like I choose between a green car and a red car.

My question (finally!) is, how can I receive european channels here in Canada? Do I need those really big black dishes? I don't see very many around like I used to, are they illegal now?

Screw Bell . you could buy a Star Choice . I know they have partiscipated in some court cases but not near to the extreme Bell has . Definitely boycott Bell at any cost . I hear that a 921 SC receiver and a 10 ft dish will allow you to subscribe and yet , still be able to scan the horizon for freebies . I also hear people talking about 4DTV , but I'm unsure of that route . Some here would have a better understanding of it . You might also want to check out a free to air receiver . Some of our supporters in this battle sell these products so support those that do !

[transporter]

wouldn't those big dishes end up being illegal too ?

[Birbao]

It would be a crying shame is the free-to-air dishes would be illegal since Bell nor StarChoice don't seem to boradcast those free channels.

Anyway, the reason I'd buy Bell over StarChoice is the latter charges $12 a month to have the dish. I haven't had the chance to ask Bell if they charge this but so far, their brochures and site doesn't mention it (which is why I'm askin'!).

Any idea where or how I can purchase the free-to-air dishes? I tried looking for a dealer but all I get is DirecTV and Dish Network. One store was charging Dish Network's rates. The whole $30 US or whatever it was. I thought it was illegal for US companies to sell here.