Brian Stevens is a professional freelance writer and webmaster who has written extensively on free satellite TV.
You've seen the online and offline ads -- "Free satellite TV!" "Get a 4-room Satellite TV System Free!" and "Satellite TV Dish and Receivers Absolutely Free!"
But is satellite TV really free?
The answer to that question is yes ... and no.
Yes, the equipment you get -- the satellite TV dish and satellite TV receiver -- is free. But no, the programming service will cost you money.
Let's examine the facts.
Due to the demise of Pegasus and Voom, there are only two major satellite TV providers in the USA -- DISH Network and DIRECTV.
DISH Network Satellite TV Service
When you order a free satellite TV system from DISH Network, you will be asked to pay a $49.99 activation fee. This fee will be credited to your programming bill, so in essence, your satellite TV system is free. Installation of your satellite TV system is also free.
With DISH Network you have the option to upgrade to a DVR (digital video recording) receiver, or an HDTV (high definition TV) receiver at no charge.
DISH Network programming starts at $31.99 per month for 60 program channels, and goes up to $86.00 for 230 channels including Showtime, Starz!, HBO, Cinemax, and Sirius radio.
DISH Network offers more movies, shows, and HDTV than cable or DIRECTV, and with one of their free DVR receivers you can record, pause, and fast forward live TV with a click of your remote. All DISH Network programs are broadcast in digital format for crystal-clear picture and sound.
DIRECTV Satellite TV Service
Depending on your credit rating, when you order a free satellite TV system from DIRECTV you may be required to pay a deposit or prepayment. Because the deposit is refunded to you and the prepayment goes toward your programming fees, the DIRECTV satellite dish and receivers are free. Installation is also free.
If you want a DVR receiver you will be charged an additional $49.99. The charge for HDTV receivers is $299.99.
DIRECTV programming packages start at $41.99 per month for 115 channels (including 31 music channels), and go up to $93.99 per month for 185 program channels, including Showtime, Starz!, HBO, Cinemax, and 31 music channels.
DIRECTV offers more sports programs than you can get with cable or DISH Network, including the popular NFL Sunday Ticket, and is broadcast in all-digital format.
The Bottom Line
Both DISH Network and DIRECTV's basic satellite TV dishes and receivers are free ... but the service will cost you anywhere from $32 to $94 a month.
So if you watch just a few television programs a week and have access to over-the-air TV, or if you have cable TV and are happy with your service, then satellite TV probably isn't for you.
If, on the other hand, TV is one of your primary forms of entertainment and you want the biggest variety of shows, movies, sports, and new -- or if your cable bill is beginning to equal your mortgage payment -- then satellite TV may be just the ticket.
Click on the following link for more information on free satellite TV systems and service, or these links for ordering information, the latest offers, and free bonuses from DISH Network satellite TV or DIRECTV satellite TV.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Free Satellite TV On Internet
- Free Satellite Tv; is it for Real?
- Free Satellite TV -- Is It Really Free?
- Free Satellite Tv
- Free Satellite TV Programming- How to Get it
- Pc Satellite TV - Free Satellite TV on Pc
- Free Satellite TV for PC channels - Internet Television Online - Watch TV channels on your PC
Child models and child modeling has really come of age
By: David Scott | 05/01/2010Child modeling has become quite popular these days especially because it is easier for children to reach out to the global consumer. As a result, more and more companies and brands have started to employ child models and some of the companies are using young models as their brand ambassador. This has actually in a way opened a parallel industry that caters only to the requirement of child modeling.
Online modeling has opened several avenues for teen models as well
By: David Scott | 05/01/2010There was a time when becoming a teen model was not easy but times have changed. Today there are double the opportunities thanks to online modeling. Before the existence of Internet modeling was a closed field where the scope for teen modeling was much less and the entire focus was either on print models, television models or ramp models. But today due to the existence and the advancement of the internet, there are several options for modeling online as well.
Buying and Using a Blackberry Tour skins
By: BhratBrij | 05/01/2010There are plenty of places where you can get stylish made-to-measure cell phone skins on the Internet. That is where you need to go to customize your Blackberry Tour skins, Blackberry Pearl skins, and Blackberry Curve skins.
Looking for Teen Models and Child Models
By: David Scott | 05/01/2010Photographers often find it hard to find the right child models and teen models for their projects. One of the reasons for this is because you have a specific model type and look in mind when you plan out your projects. There may be other models available to you but if they don’t match up to what you had envisioned, it can throw off the entire project.
Getting the Best Choice of Blackberry Pearl skins on the Net
By: BhratBrij | 05/01/2010Are you looking for jazzy, trendy and stylish cell phone skins on the Internet? You can get made-to-measure customized and personalized Blackberry Tour skins, Blackberry Pearl skins, and Blackberry Curve skins on a number of websites.
What You Should Know About Modeling Websites
By: David Scott | 05/01/2010All too often you will find that a website is your best bet to getting any career off on the right foot, and this also holds true for a career in the modeling industry. This is because you would be able to access a lot of information that would be impossible to get through any other means. This is especially true if you are like many other child models who want to break into the industry but who are living away from larger metropolitan areas. This is because it can be difficult to be considered
Call USA from India anytime you feel like
By: Nisha Garg | 05/01/2010Calling is undoubtedly the most effective way of getting in touch with each other. It is one of the liveliest form of communication, which does not let the people feel the geographical distances exist between two different countries.
How to make a flash Greeting e-card
By: blachmeo | 05/01/2010How to create flash e-card for sending wishes on important holidays?It is not a common holiday greeting e-card, as this special flash New Year Greeting card will be made by youself with your favorite photos and you could share the New Year e-card with others.
No Load Term Life Insurance - How to Get the Best Rate
By: ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com | 29/05/2008 | InsuranceA no load term life insurance policy is the least expensive type of life insurance available today. But just what is this type of insurance and how can you get the best rate? This article shows you.
Homeowner Insurance Rates - Where to Get the Cheapest
By: ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com | 26/05/2008 | InsuranceHow can you make sure you get the cheapest rate possible for your homeowners insurance without sacrificing the protection you need? This article shows you how.
Renters Insurance for College Students - Where to Get the Best Rate
By: ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com | 22/05/2008 | InsuranceBuying renters insurance for college students is important – and doesn’t cost that much. Here's how to get the best rate.
Cheapest Auto Insurance - Where to Get it
By: ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com | 19/05/2008 | InsuranceGetting the cheapest auto insurance is a four part process - 1. getting the best rate, 2. increasing your deductible, 3. getting discounts, 4. eliminating unnecessary coverage. This article explains how to do it.
Whole Life Insurance Advice - How to Get the Best Rate
By: ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com | 15/05/2008 | InsuranceWhole life insurance is a great tool to both protect your family and grow your money. Here's whole life insurance advice that explains what whole life insurance is and how to get the best rate.
How to Get the Best Group Health Insurance Rate in Texas
By: ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com | 14/05/2008 | InsuranceHealth insurance is always going to cost more than we like, so you want to make sure you're getting the best group health insurance rate in Texas. This article explains how to get it.
Auto and Renters Insurance - How to Get the Best Rate
By: ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com | 13/05/2008 | InsuranceDid you know you can save up to 15% on your auto and renters insurance by buying both policies from the same insurance company? Read this article to learn more ways you can reduce your insurance bill.
Best Auto Insurance Quote - Where to Get it
By: ryan@thesatellitetvguide.com | 12/05/2008 | InsuranceAre you looking to get the best auto insurance quote with an A-rated company? This article shows you how to get it.