12 What Programming is Available on BUDs?
Description
This article is from the TeleVision Receive Only Satellite-TV FAQ, by TVRO Hobbyists drlev@hotmail.com with numerous contributions by others.
12 What Programming is Available on BUDs?
In a single word, LOTS! More than any DBS system can shake a stick
at. And better picture quality, too. Much better. Since TVRO is the
primary distribution system of programming to cable TV head ends, this
is where you are going to find virtually all "cable-type" subscription
programming. These days, however, the true BUD aficionado probably
wants more than just typical cable stuff. Here is a short summary of
what TVRO has to offer:
* News - Not only regular CNN and Headline News stuff, but wild network
news feeds from ABC, CBS, and NBC, as well as international news and
regional news networks. Don't forget financial news and the weather.
* Sports - Probably the most sports available for your dollar. ESPN, as
well as the regional Fox Sports Net networks and specialty sports
programming. Most professional sports backhauls are encrypted but not
necessarily *all* of them, not to mention a large amount of college
sports backhauls are in-the-clear. Football, basketball, baseball,
hockey, you name it, it's on BUD.
* Movies - This is where TVRO really shines! Not just one measly HBO
and Showtime, but all the premium movie channel multiplex packages: all
the Cinemax, The Movie Channel, Encore, Flix, and Starz! you can
*possibly* imagine! There are also sources of independent movies such
as the premium Sundance Channel and the non-premium Independent Film
Channel. Older movies also abound with American Movie Classics,
B-Mania, Fox Movie Channel, and Turner Classic Movies. HBO and Showtime
are also the first subscription networks to have HDTV channels for
those with high-definition televisions. You may need a lifetime supply
of popcorn for all the movies to be watched!
* Music - Not just MTV and VH1, but Country Music Television and Great
American Country for those country and western lovers, MTV Jams & MTV2
for rockers, and VH1 Classic Rock & VH1 Mega Hits for those who like to
rock with the volume a *bit* lower! Don't forget the audio of Digital
Music Express (DMX) and MusicChoice as well as radio "superstations"
like jazz station KLON Long Beach, a long time favorite of BUD
listeners!
* Religion - TVRO wins hands down over DBS here! Whether of the
Protestant, Catholic, or any other Christian persuasion, it's here on
channels like Trinity Broadcasting and Eternal Word TV Network. Muslim
programming is also available, especially with a digital FTA receiver
(more on this later).
* Foreign Language and International - TVRO wins again! Tons of Spanish
language programming is available, much of it not found anywhere else.
You can also find programming in French, German, Italian, Arabic,
Farsi, Japanese, and other languages for the internationally inclined.
International programming abounds for those truly interested in
television from a different cultural viewpoint. Lots of international
and foreign language audio, too.
* Kids - Whether for learning or just for fun, big dish offers lots of
programming for the little ones. Not just Nickelodeon but Discovery
Kids, Nick Too, Nick Games and Sports, PBS Kids, and Noggin. Kids'
programming in the morning on The Learning Channel. Not to
mention...cartoons! Cartoon Network and Toon Disney should satisfy your
kids' animated cravings.
* Family - Big dish is truly a bastion of family-oriented programming
served as an safer alternative to much of the not-so-family oriented
programming on TV today. ABC Family Channel and the PAX Network are
good for starters, but also less well known networks such as America
One Television and others provide good, wholesome entertainment for the
entire family.
* Adult - Need I say more? More here than anywhere else....
* Educational - This is another area where big dish dominates. Not only
do you get PBS, but Discovery Channel and its specialty multiplex
channels, TLC, and others. Not to mention university channels from
institutions such as BYU and the University of Southern California.
* Lottery Drawings - Big dish owners have the privilege of being able
to view state and interstate lottery drawings from all over the United
States. Time to check those lucky numbers!
* Dr. Gene Scott - A longtime big dish institution by himself. Love him
or hate him, he probably isn't going anywhere anytime soon...
This is just a small listing of the programming available. Enjoy!
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