Satellite TV: International satellite TV

Satellite TV is regularly enjoyed in millions of English-speaking American households, but is also popular among foreign language speakers living in the United States. One of the many pluses of satellite TV is its ability to offer access to international channels and broadcasts in many ethnic languages.

Major satellite TV providers, such as Dish Network and DirecTV, offer the ability to subscribe to international channels and broadcasts in addition to regular and premium English-language channels, and many are already included in subscription packages. International channels provide entertainment that can be enjoyed by English speakers and foreign language speakers alike, and the opportunity to enjoy international cultures.

International Channels from Dish Network
Dish Network offers subscribers over 125 international channels in over 25 different languages. These international channels can be part of a monthly subscription package or ordered a la carte. Dish Network's international programming includes African, Arabic, Armenian, French, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, German, Greek, Korean, South Asian, Italian, Polish, Urdu, Farsi, Israeli, Portuguese, Filipino, and Ukrainian.
Examples of programming from these international broadcasting channels include:

• Abu Dhabi Abuda, Arabic. One of the most well respected general entertainment channels in the Middle East;
• TV5Monde TV5, French. Broadcasts programs from France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Quebec;
• TV Japan, Japan. Offers premium Japanese television;
• Deutsche Welle DWTV, German. English and German language broadcasts from Germany;
• Radio Italia, Italian. Offers Italian language radio broadcasts from Milan, including music, concert tour coverage, and interviews.

International Channels from DirecTV
DirecTV offers subscribers access to many international channels in over 11 different languages and also includes Caribbean programming and international sports programming. These international channels are purchased as a monthly subscription based package in addition to basic satellite TV service. DirecTV's international programming includes Spanish, Arabic, Brazilian, Caribbean, Chinese, Filipino, Italian, Korean, Russian, South Asian, Ukrainian, and Vietnamese. Examples of programming from these international broadcasting channels include:

• Over 260 channels in Spanish or with Spanish language audio or subtitles;
• Hype TV, Caribbean. Music and entertainment based in Kingston, Jamaica;
• Jadeworld, Chinese. Popular Chinese television programming plus daily news from Hong King, China, and Taiwan;
• Channel One Russia (C1Russia), Russia. The premier Russian language channel offering news, films, talk shows, game shows, and sports;
• Saigon Broadcasting Television Network, Vietnamese. The first 24 hour Vietnamese station offering news, sports, movies, talk shows, and children's programming.

International Sports
One of satellite TV's major draws is its access to a variety of sporting events and sports-related programming. Many viewers however wish to have access to international sporting events taking place. DirecTV offers a subscription to two international sports channels: SETANTA Sports and CricketTicket. These channels offer access to international football (soccer), rugby, cricket, and other sporting events throughout the world. These channels are available as a subscription based package in addition to a basic satellite TV subscription from DirecTV. The SETANTA Sports channel provides access to sporting events such as:

• English Premier League
• UEFA Champions League
• EURO 2008 Qualifiers
• International Friendlies
• Eredivise (Dutch)
• Le Championnat (French)
• Scottish Premier League
• Coca Cola Championship
• Asian Cup Qualifiers
• Asian Champions League
• German FA Cup
• MUTV
• Chelsea TV
• Carling Cup
• Heineken European Cup
• Guinness English Premiership
• Super 14
• Tri Nations
• Currie Cup
• Air New Zealand Cup
• Autumn Tour
• Six Nations
• Powergen Cup
• Magners League
• Super League
• Rugby League
• 2006 Women's Rugby World Cup
• Gaelic Football and Hurling
• Aussie Rules

CricketTicket offers live cricket matches from around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, the West Indies, and England.