Every day I get inquiries on how to start a satellite TV channel. I have consulted for hundreds if not thousands of companies, religious organizations, and entertainment companies on the subject. Having set up satellite TV channels around the world I have learned the trends and styles as they have evolved over the last decade. Although the satellite-TV is still very popular it will soon be overtaken in the next decade or two by Internet TV.
I often get inquiries for me to send complete equipment list for a satellite television channel. However it is not that simple and we do not provide full equipment list unless they are one of our consulting clients. There are several different configurations when it comes to satellite-TV. However I will just discuss the basics to give you an idea of cost and equipment.
First and foremost your video server also known as a play out server is the cornerstone of your satellite television station. This video server houses or holds your videos and creates playlists also it allows for the display of graphics across the screen for example sports scores, stocks quotes, and other such graphics. Next you need a live feed to the satellite uplink. Usually this is done with high-speed fiber or a dedicated high-speed Internet connection. What takes place Is the video signal comes out of the play out server and is encoded or compressed then it is sent into an IP box which is then sent over the Internet to the uplink station. Of course there is much more to it than just this but these are the basics for starting a channel. When I referred to basics I’m talking about only what it takes to get your videos or live feed on satellite and not any production costs associated with that.
So you’re probably wondering about costs and these can vary quite a bit. Video servers can cost anywhere from $8000 all the way up to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on what you want them to do. Typically a set up can be done for an Internet TV channel for $1,899 and $299 a month using our turn-key system, but comparably, a satellite TV channel can cost around $50,000, sometimes less if your requirements are not as stringent. However your monthly satellite costs can be anywhere from $8000 a month all the way up to $30,000 a month depending on what satellite you’re broadcasting on.
There are several shortcuts to save you a tremendous amount of money compared to what I quoted above; you can buy our book which has a detailed section on satellite television how to start one. If you look on our navigation bar you’ll see a link to our e-book it is a very helpful tool on starting a cable or satellite TV channel.
Regardless of your strategies or goals for your new satellite TV channel it’s always important to have a professional that can guide you through the process. I have seen several companies that I have been brought on to consult with that had made so many mistakes and cost themselves so much money that they did not have to spend. Companies such as ours save you so much money in the long run trying to take shortcuts in this business is a bad idea.
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