Johan's Trip

• Under current Chinese law, it is illegal to install a private satellite dish for TV. The country issues permits to limited groups for use of satellite dishes. The groups that are privileged to watch overseas satellite TV include: institutions of higher education, scientific research institutes, the media units, finance and trade companies; three-star-above foreigner-oriented hotels; apartment and office buildings of expatriates, Hong Kongers, Macao people, and Taiwanese. Any individuals are not permitted to set satellite dishes for TV from outside China's mainland. 
  
• But in reality, a recent survey in Shanghai shows that setting up satellite dishes is very common in the residential areas. According to some residents, many fliers for satellite TV are often thrust into all mailboxes of the apartment buildings. The lurid advertising highlights alluring words like "hundreds of passionate channels to bring your into a brave new world of TV," "staying at home to feast your eyes on tons of porn blockbusters." Detailed information on the setup of satellite dishes in Shanghai and the surrounding cities and towns is also available online to prospective customers.   

• Do you know foreign satellite TV?
  -- Yes. I think foreign satellite TV is much more wonderful and attractive, so I'd like to have a satellite dish installed.
  
• Has your home had a "wok" fixed for international satellite TV?
  -- Not yet, but I'd like to have one set up soon.
• What channels are you usually interested in?
  -- I like the sports events, foreign movies and international news. 
• Can the national and local TV channels meet your needs?
  -- No. The national and local TV news in mainland China still has some limitations. I feel it is a better choice to view international news from satellite TV. 
• If you can get access to foreign TV, what programs will you expect most? (humors, spoofs, hit movies, porns?)
  -- International entertainment channels and programs are quite different from those on mainland China's TV. I like to watch foreign entertainment channels like "Brothers TV," "Reality TV" and some adult programs that are not available on China's TV. As a person who has come of age, I enjoy some adult channels very much.
• If its installation is affordable, will you have one satellite dish fitted?
  -- I don't think the setup is expensive. Currently the common channels, including some adult programs, only charge you RMB1,000 yuan ($127) a year. But the satellite dish setup in mainland China has a big problem: the device suppliers are unlicensed and illegal. Although you have paid them 1,000 yuan and they have promised you a one-year service guarantee, the satellite (service) signal will often discontinue suddenly. Then they will ask you to pay more. You'll be asked to buy their TV card, which must be stored with enough value for further viewing of the satellite TV. It can't be so stable as expected.
• Do you know it is against the law to set up a "wok" (satellite dish)? What do you think of the ban on foreign TV?
  -- Don't worry so much. Too many people have satellite dishes now, and China's law will not come against the masses. With so many people having satellite TV, the penalty is unlikely to fall exactly on you. That's why more and more people would like to have a satellite dish installed.