How Satellite TV Works

Behind the Scenes of Satellite TV

Satellite TV has undergone a major makeover since it was first broadcast, so to speak.  No more unguarded off-cam moments in between gaps.  And unlike the humongous satellite dish of the past, today’s satellite TV uses a dish that’s sexy with not more than 18” of pure muscle across!  Today’s generation of satellite TV service is more user-friendly.  Say goodbye to creepy cable guys. 

We now know how better satellite TV is.  Let’s get techie this time, explore the remote control, and see how it works.  Spotlight on satellite dish, please.  This sidekick of satellite TV is made up of two main parts: the reflector, that concave part of the antenna that looks like a dish (now why is it called a satellite dish again?), and the feed horn, the part of the antenna that is mounted on an arm that sticks out from the dish.  The feed horn takes the signal and “feeds” it through a cable to your satellite receiver, that box in your living room (or wherever) that you’ve been ogling for hours.  A satellite TV service subscription via giant satellite dish networks as Dish or DirecTV usually comes with a free satellite dish.

Dish and DirecTV are satellite TV providers that send their signals wirelessly like the classic broadcast TV except for one thing.  Broadcast television providers send their wireless signal via land-based antenna, which sends signals in a straight line.  Since we live on a planet that’s far from being straight, not to mention the massive landforms and waterways where Ain’t No Mountain High got its lyrics from, range is severely limited unless you build tall broadcast towers but one can only go so high before the next Petronas soars higher.  So enter (drum roll please) satellite TV.  Satellite TV takes care of this.  With its satellite dish, a satellite TV service goes through towers and range-limiting problems by using satellites located about 22,000 miles above the earth.  Broadcasting this high dramatically increases the line of sight.  So, there’s no mountain is high enough and no river is wide enough to keep it from bringing your favorite show right into your  satellite TV receiver, whichever part of the house (or office) that is. 

But how does the satellite keep contact with the satellite dish TV antenna to make the whole string of satellite TV service operate?  Say hello to geosynchronous orbit.  Physics.  Satellites in a satellite TV system are launched into space at approximately 7,000 miles per hour at a distance of over 22,000 miles above the earth.  The satellites take up to 24 hours to circle the earth at this speed and distance.  The satellites keep pace with the earth’s rotation by staying over the same spot as the earth turns.  Since these satellites keep a geosynchronous orbit over the earth, your satellite TV service provider only has to reposition your satellite dish.

Satellite TV information overload?  Chill… Sit back, relax and enjoy a good TV program brought to you by your friendly neighborhood satellite TV service.