IPTV What Is It and Why is it Replacing Satellite Dishes?
If you take a walk through your neighborhood today and look up at the roofs of the houses, you might notice something is missing. Ten years ago, almost every house had a giant, ugly grey satellite dish bolted to the side of it. Today? They are disappearing fast!
People are finally taking down those massive dishes and switching to a much smarter, cheaper way to watch television. If you have heard the buzz but are still confused by the technology, you are not alone. When my friends hear about IPTV, what is the first thing they ask? Usually, it is: “Do I need to put a dish on my roof?”
The answer is a loud and happy “No!” Today, I am going to explain exactly what this new technology is in plain English, and why it is rapidly putting old-school satellite companies out of business.
The Big Question: IPTV What Is It Exactly?
Let’s skip the confusing computer jargon.
IPTV stands for “Internet Protocol Television.” In the old days, you had to catch an invisible laser beam coming from a satellite in outer space to watch the evening news. Today, IPTV what is essentially happening is that your television simply uses the internet connection you already pay for in your house to stream live video.
It is the exact same technology you use when you watch a YouTube video on your phone or a movie on Netflix. The only difference is that instead of just recorded movies, you get thousands of live television channels, sports, and local news broadcasts.
3 Reasons the Satellite Dish is Dead
Why are so many families climbing up on ladders to throw their satellite dishes in the garbage? Here are the three biggest reasons internet television is taking over:
1. No More “Signal Lost” During Storms
If you have ever had satellite TV, you know the ultimate frustration. You sit down to watch a huge hockey game or a big movie, and the second it starts raining or snowing outside, the screen goes black. The words “Searching for Satellite Signal” pop up, and your night is ruined! Because internet television uses your home Wi-Fi instead of weather-dependent space signals (which you can read more about on HowStuffWorks), a rainstorm will never interrupt your movie night again.
2. No Ugly Hardware or Installation
To get satellite TV, you have to wait home all day for a professional installer to drill holes in your roof and run huge cables down the side of your beautiful house. With internet TV, you just plug a tiny device the size of a pack of gum (like an Amazon Firestick) into the back of your television. If you are curious about how these little devices work, check out my simple guide explaining what IPTV boxes actually are.
3. The Massive Price Difference
Satellite companies are famous for charging ridiculous fees for hardware rentals and premium sports packages. Internet television costs a tiny fraction of the price. You can usually get every channel in the world for just $10 to $20 a month!
How to Make the Switch
If you are tired of losing your TV signal every time the wind blows, making the switch is incredibly easy. As long as you have a stable home internet connection, you are ready to jump into the future.
You just need to find a trustworthy provider to give you the channels. I highly recommend checking out a Canadian IPTV Provider to get a crystal-clear, reliable connection that never relies on the weather outside!
Frequently Asked Questions (People Also Ask)
Whenever I help my friends rip their old satellite dishes off the roof, they always ask me these quick questions:
How does IPTV work compared to cable?
While regular cable uses a thick copper wire buried in your yard, and satellite uses a dish, IPTV just uses your home’s Wi-Fi router. It receives the live video over the web and plays it directly on your smart TV or streaming stick.
Do I need a fast internet connection?
You don’t need the most expensive internet package in the world, but you do need a stable one. If your family can watch Netflix or YouTube on your TV without it stopping to buffer, your internet is fast enough!
Can I still watch my local news channels?
Absolutely! A premium, high-quality TV provider will ensure you still get all your local city news broadcasts, weather stations, and regional sports networks, just like your old satellite dish provided.
Is it legal to stream live television?
Yes, it is 100% legal. Streaming video over the internet is just a modern, smarter delivery method. As long as you purchase your TV subscription from a reputable, professional company, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.