Basic TV Packages - The Center Of The Family's TV Entertainment

Satellite TV continues on its relentless march to industry domination. Every day thousands of American families say their final farewell to the cable TV providers and transfer their business to a satellite TV provider.

The reasons why a subscriber makes this move differs from case to case but the single most important reason is because of the huge variety of channels available only with satellite transmission. These channels cover all the family's well-loved and popular favorites together with an introduction to the channels and subjects that are proving to be extremely popular world-wide.

First amongst these newer channels are the wild-life programs from all over the world, followed by a renewed interest in military and political history. The satellite TV companies are mindful of this ever-growing interest and satisfying this demand is an important aspect of the operation of a satellite TV provider.

The technical nature of satellite TV means that a larger number of channels can be transmitted - the technological restrictions that apply to the transmission of cable signals do not apply to the satellite format. This allows satellite TV to offer a larger number of channels showing a more varied range of subjects.

The two major satellite TV providers in America offer very similar channels to their subscribers. The more popular channels, those that have been available with cable TV for many years, are incorporated in what the satellite companies refer to as their Family packages. As these channels provide the core of the packages, they are sometimes called 'starter packages'.

Progressing from here, are numerous basic packages offering an increasing number of more sophisticated channels covering programs such as entertainment, sports, documentaries, history, natural history, as well as a range of music channels covering all tastes in music.

For most subscribers, these basic packages will form the core of their viewing options, and come with names indicative of the quality of the programs. Dish Network use names such as Classic Bronze, Classic Silver, Classic Gold, and America's Everything Pak, whilst DirecTV uses terms such as Choice, Choice Extra, and Premier.

Once a subscriber has signed up for one of the basic packages he can decide what Premium packages he wants These are packages of movies channels covering new releases from the popular movie providers; access to a huge library of older film favorites; sports channels covering all the major sports and including college sports as well as channels covering many of the major over-seas events in a variety of sports.

The Premium packages also provide for 'special events' for a pay-per-view-fee. These events may cover a boxing match; a musical concert or some such similar once-only event; martial arts; WWE wrestling; and much more.

Those who enjoy adult movies are well catered for with these premium packages. Both Dish Network and DirecTV offer adult themed movie packages for a monthly fee as well as a range of adult movies on a pay-per-view basis.

The most recent innovation in TV technology was the introduction of High Definition television. For this a subscriber needs a HD television; a HD receiver but for convenience a HD DVR; and a subscription to a HD package. Both the HD DVR and HD package are available from the service provider for a very reasonable monthly fee.

The author, Dave Neville, has an interest in a website that deals with the best Dish TV, and looks at the range of basic TV packages available. There is also a brief look at the premium programming packages offered by the Dish Network provider.