Satellite TV for PC claims to offer thousands of channels for a one-time fee, but it only provides links to websites hosting TV content. Free-to-air broadcasts are limited, and paid networks do not stream their broadcasts 24/7 over the internet. However, there are free websites hosting hookups to television networks around the world.
Is satellite TV for PC really a legal way to replace satellite dishes and high cable bills? Many online offers advertise special software for as low as $39.95 US Dollars (USD) to $99.95, with which one can supposedly watch 3,000 – 4,000 channels, eliminating the need for monthly broadcast bills. The claim is that with satellite TV software for PC, you simply install it, then watch TV on your PC or stream it to a TV, for free. Unfortunately, the ads and claims are highly misleading, although like all successful scams, this one has a grain of truth to it.
There are basically two types of television broadcasting: unencrypted and paid. Free-to-air broadcasts are normally limited to local broadcasts that anyone can freely receive with a rooftop antenna. Before cable TV and satellite dishes, all television was free-to-air, everyone had rooftop antennas, and no one paid for broadcasts. While it sounds great, there were also very few channels available. Cable brought consumers to non-local networks by creating a richer channel lineup, better picture quality, and monthly or pay-TV bills.
With the advent of the Internet, many networks have decided to make some of their free-to-air broadcasts available on the Internet as recorded or live feeds. Most networks post tidbits of their daily live broadcasts as pre-recorded streaming video; few networks stream entire broadcasts live 24/7. The Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) makes many current and past documentaries available online, as another example of free TV content available.
Then we have pay stations like ESPN, Court TV and E! which may broadcast certain events live over the Internet or make certain recorded content available. However, paid networks do not stream their broadcasts 24/7 over the internet. Streaming content is limited, and live streaming content is even more limited.
Finally we have premium channels like Home Box Office (HBO) and Showtime, which don’t make their content available online except through certain promotions conducted by their own websites. For example, original series trailers are typically available, and an episode from the opening season might be released as a tool to encourage new subscribers, such as in fall 2007 when Showtime’s website released the season 2 premiere of Dexter.
What does all this have to do with PC satellite TV? This software only provides links to websites that host TV content. Satellite TV for PC doesn’t offer satellite TV or “live broadcast” like your cable or dish service, but online TV is already available to anyone. Satellite TV for PC only loads a “remote control” interface which is located at the side of the screen. Clicking on a channel simply takes you to the network’s website. Satellite TV software for PC cannot replace free-to-air TV, much less cable or premium channels.
If this scam has a silver lining, it could be that the reaction to the PC satellite TV hoopla has inadvertently shed light on free websites hosting hookups to television networks around the world. Websites such as WorldTVPC, InternetTV or WwiTV, link to internationally hosted online TV. Watch a daily news from Iraq, Italy, Croatia or Egypt. Surf the universe of online TV as much as you like and hang on to that $50; it doesn’t cost a cent. Plus, you’ll need it to pay your cable or dish bill.
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