I don't blame SC for this. It's all BELL.

SC will likely be the big winner though as I doubt anyone is going to run out and replace their DTV system with a BEV unit. LOL.

So that comment has been clearly proven wrong.

My wife and I are contemplating a weekend trip to Seattle. I notice that some westcoast folks on these forums pick up TV's and other electronic items down there at a savings.
In view of last falls court rulings, is there any sense in buying/subscribing to one of the US Satellite systems while I'm down there? Would I be able to subscibe down there and bring the equipment back to Canada or would Canada customs stop me? I understand that if I did try to get Dish or Direct down there that I might have an address problem, but that's probably fixable.
I recently purchased a widescreen HDTV capable TV and am subed to Shaw, but I don't have their HDTV because it appears that getting HDTV requires the purchase of an expensive decoder that I would keep if I decide to switch providers. Same with Bell and StarChoice.
Don't get me wrong,yet,,I am only trying to get the most suitable service for my family and if Dish or Direct are available, I feel I should consider them as well.
I'm not impressed with any of the options available locally, although Bell would be a better fit than Star Choice or Shaw.
I am sure not impressed with having to subscribe to 8-10 other channels that I don't want, just to get say a channel like PBS or Fox. It's like having the butcher tell me I can't buy that hamburger without buying that potroast and some steaks as well. Multiply each channel that I want by at least 10 and I wind up with 200 channels that are 40% advertising.
There are other reasons for considering Dish and Direct. Mainly after reading the Bell forums here for the past couple of years, service at Canadian providers is not what it should be. I know Shaw can be dificult and I only have the minimum with them.
I don't want to break any laws,and I won't,, but I will consider Dish and Direct if all I'm doing is breaking a rule.

Ed H

Directv is a bit more committed to HDTV programming at this point than Dishnetwork.

FWIW, HD Directv Receiver is $299US.

Ed H, its breaking the law.

We may not like it but as of April 26th, 2002 its illegal regardless of whether you subscribe or not.

SO PLEASE folks don't discuss customs avoidance or ways to get around it because its breaking the rules of the forum.

I am sure not impressed with having to subscribe to 8-10 other channels that I don't want, just to get say a channel like PBS or Fox. It's like having the butcher tell me I can't buy that hamburger without buying that potroast and some steaks as well. Multiply each channel that I want by at least 10 and I wind up with 200 channels that are 40% advertising.

I'm not as familiar with DirecTV's programming; but compared to Dish we have so many options here in Canada. Dish has "America's Top" 60, 120, or 180. Also factor in trying to get US networks; Calgary is outside of Seattle and Spokane's spotbeam range. Apparently with a large dish you can pick up Salt Lake's DirecTV spotbeam.

Directv is a bit more committed to HDTV programming at this point than Dishnetwork.

FWIW, HD Directv Receiver is $299US.

Dish just bought the satellite that VOOM was using, so who knows what the HD future holds for them.

SO PLEASE folks don't discuss customs avoidance or ways to get around it because its breaking the rules of the forum.

Importing the receivers is not illegal. I have done it many times, declared what I had, paid the taxes and was on my way.

Importing the receivers is not illegal. I have done it many times, declared what I had, paid the taxes and was on my way.

And I bet it makes a beautiful paperweight....

No, actually they work great! Why would you buy something to be a paper weight?

Yes, they work fine.

Disagree. If the Canadian cable/satellite companies were able to carryt exactly the same channels, then we would ALL be happy. No grey market, no funds leaving the country.

It's about choice. I don't want to watch Sex and the City 2 months later on Friday nights at midnight (with commercials).

If i'm willing to pay for both services (US and Canadian) then what is the harm. I'm actually paying twice for the same program(assuming the same program is even available in Canada).

It is an odd situation. I dont believe that everyone does it for "free tv". I know of some people that have a contact that will program their card for them... and it isnt cheap considering it only lasts them a couple weeks sometimes... In the end, i think they spend more than we do on Rogers cable. But the reason they keep doing it is because of the selection.. specifically Spanish language channels. Even some of their PPV channels have spanish tracks for the movies... I happen to know quite a few spanish speaking people and a lot of them have the american dishes for this reason. In fact, not be racist or whatever (I myself am hispanic) but in a lot of cases when you see a townhouse with DISH or Direct, they are probably hispanics.
I have my wifes grandmother visiting us and she complains that the TV sucks. There is nothing there that she can watch and understand. I know if Rogers offered some of the spanish channels available in the US and abroad I would be subscribing and many other people i know would subscribe as well (probably cheaper for them to do so)...

So it seems it IS a matter of choice.

You are 100% correct, new-guy.

I do understand why there is lots of Spanish programming on the US systems as compared to Canadian. It all boils down to population, and there are more hispanics in the US than in Canada; therefore a greater market. (In fact, there are more hispanics in the US than there are Canadians in Canada according to the 2002 US cencus)

It comes down to a matter of choice. It's too bad that somebody like you cannot watch the TV programs your family wants.

Ken0042 is right there are more hispanic in USA that Canadians in Canada, so is a good bussines for any Cable or satelite company down south to offer that many spanish channels.

but lest be realistic, in canada there are problably 600,000 hispanic and we all came from 22 differents countries so if roger or bell offer TvChile (from Chile) TvAzteca (From Mexico) or TVE (From Spain) the only people that will suscribe are the ones from those countries, TLN from waht i hear only have 3 millions suscriber that is italians latinos together.

I think is wrong to compare the spanish obtions in USA with the canadian reality (but lest see who well Videotron does with their spanish pack)

My wife is from South America (Colombia). Now we do enjoy the English programming, but she really wants more Spanish programming as that is her first language. Having just TLN just isn't enough. I just don't understand why we can't get more Spanish in Canada. It's must be the CRTC.

There is actually quite a few Spanish channels that are avaialble for distribution in Canada, it's just most cable/sat operaters don't want to offer them.

So far only Videotron is offering a spanish package.

I belive they have SUR, Cinelatino, Eurochannel, Grandes Documentale, Utilisima Satelita.

we'll win hands down when this gets to the supreme court, until then, hang on and don't let go of your basic rights and freedoms.


joe, who enjoys all 4 of his directv "paperweight" receivers.

If they could just offer some one or two of the US spanish channels that would be great.. I think the american ones are Galavision and something else... Or even one of the mexican ones.. I mean it doesnt matter what country you are from, the majority of spanish programming is mexican.. most of the novelas are either mexican, venezuelan or colombian.. and the us and mexican cable channels carry those shows.. what about sabada gigante?? again an american show that a lot of hispanics watch...
and our hispanic community IS growing very fast. There are tons of people coming into smaller communities like Kitchener-Waterloo (smaller compared to Toronto)... I think Rogers/Bell/etc is missing out on a good opportunity.

The 2 major Spanish channels in the US are Telemundo and Univision. I believe one is owned by NBC, not sure which one though.

travisc,

I have paid by Visa for 4 years now at almost $80. CAD never stole a damn thing ... you are wrong, I pay because Canadian providers don't give me what I want to watch period. I will keep paying as some friends also have been doing. We will not pay for ****, and as long as I have a home in the states this will continue until the skies open. :D

Sounds like too much hassle to me J man. I just gave up and got me a Bell. I'm getting sick og Globals got it on everything though. :(