In Canada recently, they have cut off analog television transmission. We only get digital television transmission now. That means that you can't get anything with rabbit ears anymore.
So when the shift was made we were told that if we got some kind of converter box we could get the four channels we had. Well, not so. We were told to get a digital antenna and then we would get reception. Not so. Finally, after a lot of research we found that there is a government program that sets up a satellite dish so that we can get the four channels we always had. Too good to be true we thought. Finally, someone explained to us that it was not a gimmick from a satellite company. We signed up right away. They put up the satellite, run in the cable, give you a converter box and leave you with television. The good thing besides getting your four TV channels is that you don't have to pay anything for it. Yes, I have satellite TV and it's free.
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| My fancy dancy satellite dish |
Explanation? When the government abandoned the analog transmission , it left many TV viewers with nothing. Many people were rural and did not have cable. Many were seniors who could not afford satellite or cable . And then there are people like me who have no need for cable or satellite. Since the government received so many complaints, they came up with this program to help the people who would be caught with some unwelcome choices.
that's awesome! nice to know the government can make up for some mistakes. :) the us switched from analog to digital also. not sure if they have this program or not.
ReplyDeleteThe U.S. made their switch two years ago and they had some kind of discount for the purchase of a converter box.
DeleteThat's great news. Difficult to beat free.
ReplyDeleteSince I had rabbit ears my TV was always free. The change was going to cut me off so this really helps.
DeleteVery cool. I didn't know that they could still supply local channels free of charge.
ReplyDeleteSad that a lot of people don't know this. it doesn't matter for those who choose to take cable.
DeleteHow refreshing to hear about the government actually solving a problem.
ReplyDeleteYour system changed about two or three years ago and your govt. gave people a grant to buy a converter box.
DeleteCanada is the best! I don't thing the US offers anything for rural dwellers who lost their signal. I wish I could say I don't watch any more TV than you do, but I usually get in a little every day. Yesterday I watched an old WWII movie, the Dirty Dozen. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what happens in your rural areas but your Govt. did assist people to buy a converter box.
DeleteI'v e never watched the Dirty Dozen but it' a classic.
Red after you have the dish can you upgrade it and naturally pay for the channels you'd like to receive? This is a fantastic idea, I also am not a tv watcher, what I like to watch when I make time is a good movie or sometimes I'll get into a series but they are available via Netflix for $8 a month. All the movies I want for this price I can't beat anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to look into this and see if I can also get a satellite.
Thanks for this information. Cheers.
You can choose to get a package which gives you up to 500 channels. For this you must not have been on cable for the last 60 days and you have to apply before Nov.1
DeleteWish we had that here, I tried everything before succumbing to cables ploy
ReplyDeleteIn some places you could buy a converter box which changes digital to analog. I'm not sure if this would work where you live. If digital reception is in your area a converter box would work.
DeleteYep...that happened here in the the states...we had to go to DISH TV.
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
In some places they could buy a converter box if digital reception was in the area. Your govt. subsidized the cost of the box.
Deletegood for you!! we do NOT get out $s worth for the little amy of tv we all each and the very expensive price we pay. Our requirements are only 2
ReplyDeleteESPN and EWTN...need cable for that.
They can always hook you for something you really want and so you have to buy the whole ball of wax.
DeleteAustralian government will provide a digital 'box' to all pensioners (i.e. people receiving Social Security - which is means-tested here, of course). Our neighbour got one, but of course it's no longer as easy to just turn on the TV. Now you have to turn on the box too. And forget universal remotes. I got one, programmed it via computer, but as a result my husband can no longer even remember how to turn on the TV!. Anyway, our neighbour didn't even realise the remote control had batteries and when it stopped working he was about to throw it away! Now several of us neighbours take it in turns to go and 'fix' his reception - which sometimes means turning everything off and then on again, in the right order. Have tried to talk him into buying a new digital TV (and he has plenty of money to do that with) but he believes "if it ain't broke don't fix it". So we go on trying to help him view the few channels he used to watch and he ignores all the other free-to-air channels he could now get.
ReplyDeleteTo each his own! Yes, it's unfortunate that some seniors are so set in their ways that they can not change .
DeleteI've never had much use of Cable or satellite TV. I can barely keep up with the shows on regular TV.
ReplyDeletewww.modernworld4.blogspot.com
Thanks for visiting my blog Gina. I will have to take a look at your blog.
ReplyDeleteI think some people spend too much time watching TV.
Love the new bio photo!
ReplyDeleteMy kids have had the same issue. Both geeks, they get 4 channels. They are happy that way!
Cheers from Cottage Country!
Our satellite bill is 80 dollars a month. We get no local channels. Most of the time we watch Discovery, Nat Geo, Food, DIY..stuff like that. I watch TV late at night! :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you got the free cable! We had ours turned off since we hardly ever watched it. We did get a digital antenna and get a couple channels.
ReplyDelete