| The lure of movies, sporting events and news | | | | very large dish receivers. Modern satellite TV |
| from around the world has made television | | | | services have simplified the process. A single |
| viewers turn to satellite television. Compact | | | | communication satellite in a steady orbit above |
| satellite dishes perched on rooftops are a | | | | the earth, allows all subscribers to install a smaller |
| common sight all over the United States. Satellite | | | | dish receiver at a fixed point. Instead of having to |
| TV services are especially popular in rural areas | | | | scan various satellites for different channels, |
| with poor broadcast reception or no cable service. | | | | modern satellite television providers license the |
| Satellite TV is a broadcasting service that allows | | | | use of popular cable or broadcast channels. Much |
| subscribers to receive television signals through a | | | | like a cable system, the tuner descrambles |
| dish-shaped receiver. The signals are transmitted | | | | selected programs sent out on a specific |
| via a communications satellite in a fixed orbit | | | | frequency. This allows satellite providers the |
| above the earth. Satellite TV signals are | | | | option of pay-per-view movie rentals or the |
| electronically scrambled to prevent unauthorized | | | | blocking of adult-oriented or premium movie |
| downloading. Each subscriber is issued a receiving | | | | channels. |
| dish and a descrambler by the satellite TV | | | | Satellite dishes need an unobstructed line of sight |
| provider. | | | | to the satellite for best reception. Signals between |
| Satellite TV provides a strong digital signal to | | | | an earth-bound receiver and a space-based |
| television sets and has revolutionized the television | | | | satellite can be affected by atmospheric |
| broadcasting industry. It solves many of the | | | | conditions between them. Viewers may have |
| problems associated with earlier television | | | | problems receiving a signal during heavy rain or |
| broadcasting methods. Television stations originally | | | | snowfall. Many customers prefer the additional |
| broadcasted their signals in two specific radio | | | | channels available on satellite TV systems and the |
| wave bands namely, very high frequency (VHF) | | | | clarity of the digital signals that it provides. Satellite |
| and ultra-high frequency (UHF). These signals were | | | | TV has revolutionized television services as it has |
| weak and depended on the terrain and the | | | | made a decades old dream of " choice of |
| prevailing atmospheric conditions. | | | | programs to watch" a reality for consumers. |
| Earlier, satellite TV systems involved the usage of | | | | |