| German TV in the U.S. - How | |
| Wie bekomme ich deutsches Fernsehen? | |
December 2005 Update: German TV will cease broadcasting at the end of 2005. It will be replaced by Deutsche Welle. For more information, see the German TV Web site (in German and English).
How to Get GERMAN TV
Note: This page contains new information (2005) that reflects GERMAN TV's switch from the Globecast satellite to EchoStar's DISH Network, plus the new ProSiebenSat.1 programming on DISH. For the historical (now out of date) information see German TV - How (Old).
Now that you know why you should have GERMAN TV in your home, let's talk about how you can make that happen and how much it will cost.
GERMAN TV has long tried to get local and regional cable TV providers in the US and Canada to carry their programming, but that is still a limited option, depending on where you live. But the new DISH Network satellite service for GERMAN TV means that many more people will be able to take advantage of the sat TV option. The "how" information is also a lot simpler now. If you are a current DISH subscriber, all you have to do is add GERMAN TV to your service ($9.99/month; see antenna info below). If you are not a DISH Network subscriber, all you have to do is call them and have it installed. Current Globecast subscribers can get the DISH system installed at no cost. They have until the end of July 2005 to make the switch.
NEW! ProSiebenSat.1 Welt (2005)
DISH Network is now offering a German package that includes GERMAN TV and ProSiebenSat.1 Welt programming ("Deutschland ist näher als Sie denken."). A SuperDISH antenna is required (see below).
NOTE: If they don't have one already, current or new DISH Network subscribers will need a special SuperDISH antenna—larger than the standard dish—to receive German TV, since the GERMAN TV and ProSiebenSat.1 signals come from a different satellite than the standard US programming. To get any satellite TV signal, you must have a clear view of the southern sky (unobscured by trees, hills, structures, etc.).
US Cable Systems Offering GERMAN TV: Time Warner Cable in Charlotte, NC, Cincinnati/western Ohio and Cape Coral, Florida; Adelphia Cable in Colorado Springs; Cablevision in some areas of New York and New Jersey, plus Marco Island Cable in Florida. There is also Canadian cable service in Ontario. For the current status, see the GERMAN TV Web site. (If neither the satellite nor cable option is possible for you, then see German TV Alternatives.)
To order GERMAN TV and/or ProSiebenSat.1 Welt from DISH or to have a new system installed, just call the DISH toll-free number: 1-888-347-4134. If you want more information, visit the appropriate Web site (see links below). DISH will install your new satellite TV system for free if you are a current Globecast GERMAN TV subscriber, or if you order certain DISH programming packages. The private German TV broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 began German programming in the US also via the DISH Network in early 2005, so your DISH receiver can now provide two German channels.
How much does it cost?
With Globecast, the monthly fee was $15.00. DISH Network charges only $9.99 per month, but if you only order GERMAN TV without any other DISH programming, there is an additional monthly fee of $5.00, making it $14.99, a penny less than the old Globecast rate. DISH's new German package (two channels) costs $19.99/month. Since ProSiebenSat.1 Welt alone costs $14.99 a month, the package is a good deal. For current pricing and installation details, see the appropriate sites below.
December 2005 Update: German TV will cease broadcasting at the end of 2005. It will be replaced by Deutsche Welle. For more information, see the German TV Web site (in German and English).
WEB > GERMAN TV
WEB > ProSiebenSat.1 Welt (Deutsch)
WEB > ProSiebenSat.1 Welt (English version)
WEB > DISH Network
> 1: German TV - Intro
> 2: German TV - Why
> 3: German TV - How (Old info)
> 4: German TV - Tips
> 5: German TV - Alternatives
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