Free-to-Air PROGRAMMING (Available in North America)

Free-to-Air SYSTEMS

Free-to-Air (FTA) satellite is just what it sounds like.  The channels are free to the user. There is no monthly programming charge.  Free-to-air channels are broadcast in either analog or digital signals.  There are hundreds of channels currently "in the clear".  Many of the available channels are  international language channels.  Many others are special interest channels broadcast in English.  Take a look at some of the free channels in North America.

EITS offers digital FTA (free-to-air) satellite systems as well as analog.  The digital systems that EITS offers are DVB (Digital Video Broadcast) compliant.  The signal compression method used to transfer the signals from the satellite down to your satellite dish is called MPEG-II. 

FTA systems do not receive package programming.  You must purchase a DirecTV or Dish Network system to receive package programming such as CNN, ESPN and HBO.  All of these systems are relatively easy to install, providing you have the right tools and some mechanical ability.

Availability

Remember this about free-to-air:  Eye In The Sky makes no claims on behalf of the program providers. *Some of these channels may go off the air at some point. They may become PAY channels or they may just cease to exist. Our listings reflect what is available to our knowledge on this date. We try to update it as promptly as possible. However, you can be sure about the current availability of a channel by consulting http://www.lyngsat.com/  

Ku Band and C-Band

Free-to-air satellite signals come in two types, Ku-Band (small dish required) and C-Band (6 foot dish required).  Many of the international channels available in North America are broadcast in Ku (pronounced "Kay-you") on the Telstar 5 satellite.  But others are available.  See the growing number of Free-to-Air listings.

Look at the cut-away of the Free-to-Air listings below.  Each column of information contains information that will help you decide which satellite system to purchase.

 

Ku-Band channels : Think of it this way.  Ku-Band means "small dish, 29 inches".  Ku-Band systems come with a satellite receiver (the box inside the house) and a remote control as well as a dish that points at only one satellite.  If you find that you need to look at more than one Ku-Band satellite, you may want to purchase the SG-2100 or satellite motor (it moves to look at many satellites, automatically). If there are only two satellites broadcasting the channels you want, you may need to purchase an additional dish and a DiSEqC switch.

If you find yourself wanting to watch a channel that is available on a C-Band satellite (big 6 foot dish), the BEC-6600FP includes a steerable dish that will move to view channels on many different satellites.   The BEC-6600FP receives both C-Band AND Ku-Band channels from many different satellites.