Television In Tenerife - all the different options
May I say, from the outset, that obtaining Sky TV programmes outside the UK is actually illegal - but, judging from the number of bars with big screens showing Sky Sports, this problem can obviously be surmounted. Arranging a Sky System  Image licence I'll say again: this is illegal. True, BSkyB tend to turn a blind eye to it, but it's still up to you if you want to do it - and I stress that The Tenerife Information Centre is not endorsing this practice in any way. (In fact, in March, 2009, the Spanish authorities announced that they consider British Sky TV programmes illegal in Spain and will confiscate receivers and Sky cards. See the Important Notice, below.) To receive BBC 1 & 2, ITV 1, Channel 4 and Five, you need a large dish of at least three metres diameter. Certain companies in Tenerife provide you with a full system, including the dish, the digibox and a sky card. This is where it gets a bit underhand. You have to find a friend or relative in the UK who hasn't already got Sky TV and get them to register your card in their name. Thereafter, as far as BSkyB knows, the system is based at your accomplice's house and they'll start sending their monthly magazine there. Your partner in crime will also be liable for paying the monthly fee, for which you'll have to reimburse them. You'll then be able to receive a limited number of Sky channels. useful websites: MennyFix
There are a number of companies who offer a package of UK TV programmes that avoids your having to go through all the rigmarole of the "accomplice with the Sky Card in the UK" scenario. Apparently, they intercept the satellite signal and re-transmit it. This, too, is not strictly legal. But I'll tell you about it anyway. The following organisations can supply you with UK TV programmes:
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Hopefully, the following information is correct. Everything about receiving British TV in Tenerife seems surrounded by controversy! Free To Air Normally, satellite dishes in Tenerife are directed at the Astra Satellite, situated 28.2 degrees east. If you have a big enough dish (ie at least three metres diameter) and a receiver box, the following programmes are some of the ones freely available: BBC 1, 2, 3, 4, ITV 1, 2, 3, 4, Channel 4, More4, E4, Five. For a full list of free-to-air channels being broadcast by the Astra satellite, refer to this Wikipedia article. The only problem with this option is that the BBC channels are really only for UK residents, as they are, theoretically, only available to licence fee payers - so even this isn't totally legitimate!
These are also free channels, the difference being that they are encrypted. Known as "FreeSat", there is one version that is a joint venture between BBC and ITV, for which you need their FreeSat box. FreeSat From Sky is another option, where you have to purchase a FreeSat From Sky viewing card (£25), but have then to provide a UK address (like the Sky information above). The FreeSat system provides over 140 channels, the FreeSat From Sky over 240. Unfortunately, neither provide much in the way of sport - so, read on!
These days, CanalPlus features a language selector for many of its programmes, so is a viable, legal alternative to Sky. I'm well aware that a lot of you want your sport - specifically, football - on your TV. This is where CanalPlus is a winner. If you purchase their CanalPlus Liga package, you'll have access to matches from the UK football league, plus a comprehensive selection of other countries' leagues. To check out football available on CanalPlus, click here for the webpage. There's still more to come from Television in Tenerife...
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