Photo Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1331221
Out of 285+ channels, you’re bound to have a few favorites. But have you explored the other stations available to you? Do you know what other gems lie in the realm of satellite TV programming? Here’s a look at some of the more obscure channels and shows you might be psyched to discover!
News on Tap
News nuts devour CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, and even C-SPAN for hardcore news junkies. But what about the less well-known news outlets?
1. Euronews
Overshadowed by more well-known and watched BBC America, Euronews bills itself as news from the European perspective. Critics point to major founder and contributor, the European Commission, when analyzing the impact of Euronews. Many have noted that Euronews carries few stories that criticize the European Commission when questioning the ties between the two.
Available in 11 language services, Euronews is indeed a European news outlet. Over 350 million households in 155 countries have access to Euronews.
The format of Euronews features headline news interspersed with magazine segments. These short-format programs feature financial news, stock market data, arts, culture, style, sports, news, science, and weather. Every 30 minutes, headlines from throughout Europe and the world are broadcast to viewers.
2. Free Speech TV
Founded in 1989 as a cable TV show, Free Speech TV is now available on online through DIRECTV® and other providers. Free Speech TV, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization, is supported by donations from philanthropic organizations and viewers.
Broadcasting primarily syndicated news programs and documentaries on political, social, environmental, and cultural issues, Free Speech TV is owned by Public Communicators Inc. Key syndicated shows broadcast on Free Speech TV include Al Jazeera English News, Fault Lines, Democracy Now, Gay USA, and The UpTake.
Learning Never Stops
3. Military History
Not to be confused with Discovery’s The Military Channel, A&E spun off Military Historyfrom the fan favorite History. This channel is for the person who not only loves the military, but wants to know the ins and outs of military battles.
Prior to spinning off all military programming to Military History in 1999, History was known as the “Hitler Channel.” Recent program offerings included profiles of significant military figures, such as a program chronicling Hitler’s demise and another on one of George Washington’s generals, the Marquis de Lafayette.
4. Create TV
From cooking shows to arts and crafts offerings, Create TV was founded after the closure of PBS’ 24-hour educational format channel, PBS Your Own University, or PBS YOU for short.
Create TV’s Programming includes the classic how-to painting show with the late Bob Ross: The Best of the Joy of Painting. Shown daily, today’s viewers can enjoy hearing Bob Ross instruct about creating happy clouds to go with mountains, trees, and other flora.
Watch When the Kids Are in Bed
5. Crime & Investigation Network
Make sure the kids are asleep before clicking on the Crime & Investigation Network, where you might be encountering some bloody scenes. Regardless of what time of day it is, make sure to check the TV rating that comes on in the corner of your TV during the first 15 seconds of each show. That way you’ll know whether the kids can watch.
The little ones might be too afraid of shows like “Cold Case Files,” which features detectives determined to figure out unsolved murders. While adults might be intrigued by the way these detectives can search for a killer who committed his or her crime years ago, kids might prefer to pass on the nightmares.
6. Chiller TV
Not for the faint of heart, Chiller TV is the place for suspense and horror programming. Part of NBCUniversal, Chiller’s byline is “Scary Good.”
From the relatively tame Fear Factor to everyone’s favorite show, The Twilight Zone, Chiller TV has shows for those who want to watch, but not have to grip the edge of the seat in terror. For those who like bone-chilling, screaming-in-the-dark fare, Chiller TV has what you need…FearDotCom, Remains, and the Midnight Movie.
Chiller TV features films and TV shows from the NBC and Universal vaults, as well as from other film studios.
Mom, Stop Hogging the Remote!
7. BabyFirstTV
Photo Source: http://sonomaonthecheap.com/2010/08/baby-week-at-michaels-craft-stores/
At what age will a baby start grabbing for the remote? 9 months? 1 year? Whatever the age, once a little tyke gets his teeny mitts on the remote…well, that’s the end of Mom and Dad watching the TV, at least during daylight hours.
Just right for little ones and enjoyed/tolerated by parents is BabyFirstTV. Created in 2003, BabyFirstTV offers programming for the babies through 5-year-olds. As the only network designed for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents, BabyFirstTV blends learning into its mix of cartoon, animation, and puppetry shows. Shows integrate numbers, animals, colors, music, and letters. As an added bonus to parents everywhere, BabyFirstTV is blissfully commercial free.
8. Qubo
A kid’s network called Qubo? The name may sound weird, but to kids and parents, Qubo is anything but. Launched in 2006 by ION Media Networks, NBCUniversal, Nelvana, Scholastic, and Classic Media, Qubo offers programming in English and Spanish. Qubo programming is also shown on NBC, Telemundo, and on a dedicated website.
Qubo shows include kiddie favorites such as NBCUniversal’s Maisy, Nelvana’s Pippi Longstocking, PBS’ Adventures from the Book of Virtues, and Scholastic’s The Magic School Bus.
There’s a Show for Everyone
9. Corner Store TV
Need…washboard abs? Something to make you look 10 years younger? Every Dean Martin Variety Show on DVD? A faster way to cook? Chances are good that if you vaguely remember seeing an infomercial on TV, you will find the item you are looking for on Corner Store TV.
Corner Store TV offers viewers and online users access to many of the popular products advertised on TV.
10. Retro TV
Are you a Bill Cosby fan? Not The Cosby Show, but The Bill Cosby Show. Yes! Then look no further than Retro TV. Retro TV has only classic TV shows from the ’50s through the ’90s.
Highway to Heaven. Police Story. Starsky & Hutch. The Saint. Take your pick. Nuke some popcorn. Crack open a Tab. And enjoy Retro TV.
