What are the options of getting TV in English, with the last one being Sky from England, with a British address.

Hi Gail, jer here.

Hmmmmmmm, your post above really has nothing to do with work and residency in Spian so I have taken the liberty of moving it to the "spain radio, tv, cinema, press, m�sica, lit, internet, etc..." forum, it is better this way since you will get more responses by having it in the appropriate forum Also, others will be able to find the thread here under this forum in the future.

You must not have seen this forum when you were posting.

Anyway, enough reading the riot act

SKY is going to be the best option if you want loads of TV in English since pure American English TV is scarce here (probably a good thing inthe long run ).

If you have a dual compatible TV set, you can however take advantage of the free channels that broadcast in English as well as Spanish )(only select programs and movies), such as channel 1 & 2 (Televisi�n Espa�ola) and 4 (TeleMadrid).

The Spanish satelite and pay TV companies...

* Canal Setelite Digital - www.csatelite.es
* V�a Digital - www.viadigital.es
* Canal Plus - www.plus.es
* Quiero TV - www.quierotv.com

... are only in Spanish (althought some may broadcast the rare show or movie in English as well) and have the sickening custom of overloading their viewers with soccer, soccer and more soccer to the point where it could make even a soccer lover sick

So, If you have a dual compatible TV set, you can watch some stuff in English but if you want more, you will have to go with SKY which is unfortunately in British English, blah! (no offense to the Brits out there but American English is just so much better).

There are many SKY distributors in Spain and a full installation will run you between 200.000 and 400.000 pesetas, depending on the size of the dish, quality of the reciever and who installs it.

I have no recommendation in this field since I will never get it put in but I have listed some of the installers available below:

* www.cabletecsatellite.com

* www.code-group.com
( Warning - once you get past the main menu on this website, it turns to crappola and is horrible ).

... and the following seem to be individuals rather than companies:

* RENTASAT - no website but tel. is (+34) 91 841 8718.

* SKY Digital Panasonic - no web but tel. is (+34) 687 32 25 20 (that's a cellphone so it may cost you more to call than to actually have the system installed )

Saludos,
jer...

We get something here in Mexico called Direct TV which has HBO, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network and more, all in English. And we don't have to come up with an American address. We could even get cable from Denver if we wanted and watch David Letterman every night. I find the Cartoon network a lifesaver with two small boys and was wondering if something similar would be offered in Spain. many thanks for a quick reply and for moving my question to a better location. Now I will go back to the main menu to figure out how I missed this topic heading. We get one channel here from Spain and if soccer is on, my husband is there watching so bad news about the overload of soccer games. I will start thinking about a written contract he needs to sign at home promising to limit his time in front of the TV before I agree to live out the rest of my days in his beloved Spain.

Well Gail, Direct TV is what the Spaniards usually like to call an "Americanada" (an ostentatious American concept) and it is in fact American as I recall seeing it all over NY when I was home last Christmas. I remember seeing an ad for it at Blockbuster video and they promised 150 channels or something ridiculous like that I am glad there is nothing like it in Spain and hope to never see the day when it arrives. It is in Mexico, and probably much of Latin America, because the American company sells it there.

The Cartoon Network (www.cartoonnetwork.es) and Nickelodean are also here in Spain but it is in Spanish (naturally) as are the Simpsons, etc...

The Cartoon Network (as well as FOX and therefore the Simpsons) comes with onew of the above mentioned Satelite packages, check them out and see which one offers it. It is between Canal Setelite & V�a Digital but I am not sure which.

As for the soccer thing, congrats for your hubby and sorry for you Hey, then again the overload of soccer will keep him from bugging you I guess

Hmmmmmm, that last line of yours above gives me the idea that you are not very excited about the move. You have no idea of how many Americans would kill to be in your situation.

Saludos,
jer...

Jer,

A couple of points. First of all, DirecTV is a mainstay for people who don't live in areas where there is cable TV available, and areas where there basically isn't any TV available. As for the NYC question, there's more to TV than a few nationally broadcast networks.

My wife and I enjoy the health channels, news channels from around the world, cooking, History Channel, Discovery Channel, and a drove of others not offered either on our local cable, or without a cable hook-up.

We also enjoy the old shows from TV's past, which are a lot better than the mindless sitcoms that are broadcast over the four main networks here in the States, or even in Spain, where the sitcoms and "who's cheating on who," stories are as bad as the U.S.

personally, I think DirecTV is fantastic. In fact, I have it on right now, and the news from China is on. It gives the Chinese perspective of what is happening in regards to world events. Now try to find that on the "local channels."

Ostentatious is a very poor choice of words to describe what DirecTV offers. Although there are mindless offerings amongst the channel selections, those of us who choose to take advantage of the truly educational, and informative stations don't think we're being ostentatious, or enjoy being told we are.

If you intend to be a moderator, don't slam people like Gail for wanting to keep in touch with her culture, by asking the question about English speaking offerings, and information about the States. Not everyone wants to shed all semblance of being American just because they move to Spain. It may work for you, but not necessarily for everyone.

JP

Ok, ok, I am ashamed and I may have jumped the gun on that Direct TV comment. It is just that 90% of the broadcasted material worldwide is craoppola but I did not know that it was available to those who do not have access to cable.

My time in Spain has obviously made me a bit ignorant about some things that have been going on in the U.S.A. and I have to applogize for that Direct TV oversight. I only saw an ad for it once and did not really investigate any further.

Hey, I was not "slamming" Gail, in fact, if you read the first posts of mine above you will see that I was trying to help her the best I could and I provided loads of helpful info on the subject.

Saludos,
jer...

p.d. Gail, I hope you are not as offended as JP by my comments, I meant no harm

So sorry to respond so many days later. Multimadrid and Madridman have so much happening that I did not remember to keep track of this one. About a year ago I came to a decision as an expat that I recommend to anyone else living out of their country. I have observed for 5 years now many different ways that other wives handle the change in culture. One extreme was a woman who would not unpack her suitcase for almost 6 weeks. She was from one of the Eastern European countries and married to a Canadian. She eventually enrolled in Spanish and adapted well. I have also seen the other extreme, from US citizens who critize all things American. I am not sure where I fall in between these two extremes. Up until recently, I was more interested in living in Madrid than my Spanish husband. He is Catalan and was unsure if he would be accepted there. And I like having access to some things that I am familiar with, such as TV in English and Dr. Pepper. The decision I made was to stop looking at others and not apologize (to myself more than anyone else) for my own ability or willingness to adapt to the local culture. Here in Mexico I would say I have adapted better than many but not as well as others. I have the kids in local schools but I am not interested in living here for 20 years, as some are. So, that said I took the comment against Direct TV as being against that part of the American culture and nothing personal against me. I have received excellent advice and quickly on this site and I appreciate it. JP Savage, could I impose on you to zip over to parking at the subway stops, I think it was and maybe you wouldn't mind looking over a question I had for you in my last post. I got the impression that you might have a real understanding of the decisions I need to make.

Hey Gail, better late than never, glad you were not offended

Judging from your experience and long observations and research it sounds like you should write a book for ex-pats

Saludos,
jer...

Gail,

Send me a personal e-mail... Wolfgang810@yahoo.com I may have missed something in the post you made at "subway...etc"

Glad to help any way I can.

JP

Hello,
I couldn't help reviving this old thread but I just had to post my opinion that I hope Direct TV never lands in Spain also. Let's remember TV is an opiate and an isolating activity. We Americans have way TOO MANY channels than we need already, and we're already enough of a sedentary and physically unhealthy nation sadly. Most viewers don't have impulse control over how much TV they consume. Or fast food for that matter, which I equate to TV.

Hi Brenda, I agree!!!

Long live the "FREE 5"...

� La primera. (channel 1)
� La 2. (channel 2)
� Antena 3. (channel 3)
� TeleMadrid. (channel 4)
� Telecinco. (channel 5)



Ok, they may not be in English but one really should learn Spanish if one lives in Spain.

Also, La primera, La 2 and TeleMadrid broadcast often in "Dual" so if you have a TV that can receive dual transmission, you can change to English. Many imported TV programs and movies are broadcast in English as well as Spanish :cheers:

Saludos,
jer...

Hello Jer,
Dual TV? What's that, I'm wondering?
I haven't give much importance to the TV situation in Spain since I barely watch any here save for some news and only one comedy series, but now I'm curous: Is Spain like the US where one has to have a cable hookup in order to access even the basic channels, or, can I just plug in a TV into any outlet and be all set? Thanks!

Hey Brenda, most decent quality TV sets sold these days are "dual" compatible.

It is best to ask before buying a set to be sure it will be able to receive the dual broadcast so you can select either English or Spanish.

I do not watch much TV (News, CSI and some movies) but it is nice to have the "dual thingy" (my technical term :jeje: ) so that ena can practice a bit and listen to movies and such in English on the tube.

quote:

"Is Spain like the US where one has to have a cable hookup in order to access even the basic channels, or, can I just plug in a TV into any outlet and be all set?"

Good question, there are 3 major types of TV here...

1) Basic TV: all ya need is the TV set. The reception will probably be poor but if ya work that antena on top of the set, you may be able to improve it. This servicxe is free and you should be able to get the "FREE 5" as mentioned in my previous post.

2) Via a paraboplic antena: I have this as the city paid for the installation last year as a gift to all the neighbors of the Plaza Mayor. It is simply a huge antena installed on the roof and each home has a coaxial cable. We get perfect reception on the "FREE 5" plus quite a few other channels including CNN (European version in English), Eurosport, MTV Germany and a few German stations as well. While the installation was free, we pay 18 Euros per YEAR for the service and it is WELL worth it as the improved signal is a huge plus.

3) Pay TV: This is the closest thing to direct TV but not nearly as nuts :lo: There are variuous packages to choose from (read my first post on this thread above) as well as some "interactive TV". The major players here are...

* Canal Setelite Digital - www.csatelite.es
* V�a Digital - www.viadigital.es
* Canal Plus - www.plus.es

Quiero TV (www.quierotv.com) went out of business last year soon after opening. I think they were swallowed up by V�a Digital.

The 2 monsters of the market, Canal Setelite Digital & V�a Digital, are currently merging and will be 1 by next year if the govt. allows it.

Saludos,
jer...

Hello all. I would just like to review all of the English language viewing option for someone in Madrid. (Hopefully Jeremy will edit this message and add the correct links).

1. Dual - TV/Movies broadcast with a dual signal requiring a special TV or VCR equipt to receive it.

2. Canal Satelite Digital (Regular subscription)- Where you can get mostly news channels in English and a selection of movies, documentaries, featuring Fox and AXN with multiple language choices including English.

3. Canal Satelite Digital (Manual tuning (including Holland / France) Settings): Requires minimum subscription to CSD and changing the card for a programmed pic card and then manual tuning option.

Note: You get the codes from the internet. Download them to a pic card. Introduce the pic card into the CSD box and select the manual tune option which scans in and adds all of the channels automatically, just takes longer. When this is finished you will now have more channels with English languge. Three or four Dutch channels and two or three French Channels that show things in English language with subtitles.

4. Sky Digital- Is the only all English languge choice for Madrid, but also the most expensive because it is imported. But I personally think it is worth it. (I work in communications and need to stay in the know). Anyway, even though it is from the UK, it has tons of movies and programming from the US (No dubbing or subtitles required). Their is enough of a selection on this one that you could watch hour after hour of US programming and forget that you are in the EU.

Please see the thread about Sky Digital in Madrid HERE

The Sky Digital option is good if you will be here for a year or more, or can team up and divide the cost between 3 or 4 buddies living in Spain.

You can also get a lot of free to air channels.
BBC radio is at Astra 2A, as well as TCM and others.
NPR is at Hot Bird.
there are channel listings here:
www.satcodx.com