Get Free-to-Air satellite systems and FTA satellite TV receivers!

Or visit our free satellite dish page to learn how to get a free satellite system when you start new service from either DirecTV or the Dish Network.

So just what is free-to-air (FTA) satellite TV programming?

If you want to go beyond the DBS providers (i.e., Direct TV or the Dish Network, who offer free equipment to new subscribers), buy your own satellite dish and receivers, and get the most interesting and diverse satellite programming available, then we recommend that you look into free-to-air satellite television systems.

These channels are free to receive (all you need is a satellite dish and an FTA receiver), come from all over the world, and are broadcast over the air in high-quality digital format, giving you the sharpest pictures and sound.

How you can get started with free-to-air (FTA) satellite TV programming:

If you want to start receiving free-to-air (FTA) satellite television and radio programming, you need to invest in a satellite dish and free-to-air satellite TV receiver.  As with everything else, there is a wide range of quality when it comes to the receivers and dishes you could install.  But if you want to be able to receive the largest amount of channels, including Ku-band and C-band, you need to invest in a dish that is over six feet in diameter (6' is the absolute minimum for C-band, where the bulk of the channels are -- the bigger the dish, the better).  You can, however, receive some free-to-air channels (in the Ku-band) with a dish that's around three feet in diameter.

Free to air TV satellite receivers aren't very expensive or hard to come by.  All of the necessary equipment can be found at the recommended FTA satellite vendor at the top of this page.

Are the FTA (free-to-air) channels very stable?

If complete stability in channels is what you're after, we recommend that you look into a Direct TV or Dish Network system.  Some free-to-air channels are changing all the time, while some remain relatively permanent over the years, and new channels appear all of the time as well.  If you're interested in satellite TV as a hobby, you can see the exciting potential with never knowing exactly what you will get and being able to pluck new channels from the sky all of the time.

If you just want a better version -- meaning sharper quality and cheaper prices -- of the channels you have now with cable television, go with a DBS provider (i.e., DirecTV or the Dish Network). 

Direct TV also offers great sports packages, while the Dish Network offers great international programming.

Both companies give new customers a free satellite system (including a free 18" dish and up to five free receivers) upon sign-up.