Perhaps you’ve recently arrived to Italy and are longing home, or perhaps you’ve been here for a while but want to catch up on the news and your favorite TV shows from back home. Why don’t you watch English-language TV stations on your Italian television in your own home? Find out how to achieve it in a variety of ways:
Satellite television
Satellite TV is the most well-known and reliable option available, but it is also the most expensive. You’ll need a satellite dish, a satellite receiver, and a card to get started. Keep in mind that installing a satellite dish is a difficult process that requires the assistance of a specialist. This may entail drilling holes in walls and obtaining permission from the building’s owner, which isn’t always straightforward. So, what are your alternative options?
Websites
You can sometimes watch live and recorded material on the official websites of TV broadcasters including the BBC, Sky, ITV, and CNN, however these sites may be prohibited when accessed from a different country.
Another alternative is to watch the show on one of the many third-party websites that stream it. This is frequently the quickest route, but because there are so many advertisements, it may be somewhat frustrating at times. You must also be cautious since adverts on these pages might be deceptive, leading you to believe that you require a plugin, player, or codec when you do not.
Apps
There are a variety of apps that allow you to view television shows on your phone or tablet, with all of the convenience and mobility that comes with it. Even better, depending on the device and television you have, you may be able to connect your device to the television and watch your favorite shows on the big screen. However, there is a risk that they will ask for extra permissions that border on abuse, so proceed with caution.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
What is a virtual private network (VPN)? A VPN, to avoid getting too technical, allows you to connect your computer to a different server via the internet. For example, if you’re sitting in your Italian home, you may use a VPN to trick your internet connection into believing you’re in another nation, such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, or anyplace else in the world. Because of your computer’s IP address, it appears as though you’re connecting from your house.
To utilize a VPN, you’ll have to contract the service with a VPN provider situated in that nation. This is one of the most reliable options now on the market, and is 100 percent legal, but you should be aware that this is usually a premium service, and not free.
Paid websites
There are various streaming platforms where you may watch TV stations from your nation for a monthly price. The nice thing about them is that they provide improved picture resolution and speed without requiring the installation of complicated wires and antennas.
Other options for watching your favorite TV channels include technological solutions that aren’t ideal for the tech novice, such as PROXY (similar to VPN but slower) and SLINGBOX (a device that has to be connected to the network of the specific house in your home country).
It’s evident, then, that even if you reside in Italy, you can continue to watch all of your favorite television shows from the comfort of your own home all you have to do is decide which choice is best for you.
Is cable TV available in Italy?
The public television network RAI had a monopoly in the 1960s, and it was the only network allowed to transmit in Italy. On April 21, 1971, Giuseppe Sacchi, a former RAI editor, created Telebiella, the first “free” television channel situated in Biella. It began broadcasting on April 6, 1972, with a focus on news and information. Sacchi was immediately forced to destroy Telebiella by the administration of Giulio Andreotti. Later a new law was enacted to regulate and authorize cable transmission, however with stringent limitations: only one cable system for every city and only one TV station for each system. With the exception of a few amateur attempts, cable television remained underdeveloped for many years. Telecom Italia and then Fastweb built optical fiber networks and offered IPTV services in the 1990s (however associated with Sky Italia or Mediaset Premium subscriptions). Until 2009, IPTV was the only provider that offered video on demand.
How do I create my own cable television service?
You might believe that starting a television network is a project destined for celebrities, media moguls, and major organizations if you’re wondering how to establish a television network. Imagining how to launch a television network may appear to be a daunting endeavor or so you may believe. You might be astonished to find that you can launch your own television network station.
Although it is possible, getting your network up and running might be difficult. However, if you’re up for it, it may be a satisfying undertaking and a great way to get your media career started. Starting a television network can help you achieve your career goals, whether you want to work as a professional broadcaster one day or want to gain hands-on experience to learn what it takes to manage a network.
Here are some steps you can take to begin the process of building and launching your own television network:
Stake out your territory
Many individuals are unaware that there are channels that can be rented by regular people. Under federal law, any cable operator that maintains at least 36 channels must reserve a group of channels for leased access. You can rent one of these channels for a monthly fee that is generally decided by the number of subscribers and channels rented; the larger the firm, the higher the monthly fee.
Set up your technical equipment
For broadcast-quality material, it’s critical to employ high-quality software and hardware, especially since many cable companies don’t accept VHS tapes. Another alternative is to live broadcast content for the channel using video streaming equipment and the Internet.
Announce your channel
When it comes to the big launch, you’ll want to make sure that everyone is paying attention. Spread the word on social media and look into low-cost marketing solutions such as newspaper ads or local promotional events.
Generate a paycheck
You’ll need to line up advertisements if you want to make money from all of your hard work. Avoid stomping on the cable company’s toes by approaching local businesses that already pay to advertise on their other channels by partnering with area product distributors.
What is the best way to link my TV to Italy?
In 3 Easy Steps, Learn How to Watch Italian TV From Anywhere.
- Get a virtual private network (VPN). ExpressVPN is my favorite pick because of its ultrafast speeds and buffer-free streaming.
- Connect to an Italian server. Connect to one of ExpressVPN’s servers in Italy.
How can I get free access to overseas channels?
To watch international programming and content for free, go to the Google Play Store and install apps provided by foreign TV networks. Some channels have restrictions on viewing based on your IP address, thus some channels may not be available.
Which streaming services are available in Europe?
EUROPE. Netflix’s global dominance extends to the United Kingdom, with five million monthly searches for its services. That’s quite a collection of boxsets. With 274,000 searches, Amazon Prime is in second position, roughly half as popular as their primary competitor.
What is the cost of a TV license in Italy?
The license fee for 2018 is the same as it was in 2017. It is Euro 90. TV equipment in commercial establishments (bars, hotels, B&Bs, stores, etc.) is subject to special rules.
Whether or not you actually watch the RAI channels, you must pay the licence fee if you own (even if you do not use) TV receiving equipment. Non-payment carries monetary penalties ranging from 200 to 600 euros, as well as a criminal penalty of up to two years in prison.
If you don’t have the necessary TV reception equipment, you can apply to have the bill debited turned off online. You may also request a refund.
The definition of television receiving equipment is a hotly debated topic. The mere possession of a computer without a tuner (sintonizzatore) or decoder meant to receive TV signals appears to be agreed upon (although new judgements and interpretations from the authorities may alter). As a result, watching TV on a computer via the internet, such as RAI Play, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and so on, does not necessitate payment of the licence fee.
What is the cost of a TV license in Italy?
- The NTSC system is used in the United States, Canada, Japan, and a few other nations.
- The majority of Western Europe, Australasia, and Southern Africa use the PAL system.
Each of the three standards is incompatible with the others. This means that a TV signal (or video) created for one system will not work on apparatus designed for a different system.
Because the Italian system is PAL, a non-PAL compatible television will not be able to receive a signal or broadcast sound and picture in Italy. Electronics suppliers sell multi-standard European TVs and VCRs with automated switching circuitry.
Digital Television
In July 2012, Italy stopped broadcasting in analogue. The rise of digital terrestrial television has resulted in an increase in national free-to-air channels.
DTT decoders, also known as set top boxes, can be used with non-digital television sets and are widely available in Italy. It may be necessary to replace the current aerial with a ‘high gain’ kind or modify its position to point straight towards a transmitter in order to improve picture quality.
A practical guide to digital television in Italy has been prepared by the Minister of Economic Development. (PDF version in Italian).
The TV Tax
Every home, office, or car in Italy that possesses a radio or television must pay a TV tax (Canone Rai). This money is used to help public television stations stay afloat (Rai 1, Rai 2, Rai 3). This cost of 90 euros (2020 rate) is included into the annual electricity bill.
Is a TV license required in Italy?
Italian law requires all owners of television equipment, as well as any other device capable or adaptable to receive television, to acquire a television license. The license is used to help fund RAI, the Italian public broadcaster. The license fee was first imposed on owners of radio sets in 1923, and it is currently governed by a 1938 law. Once VAT (IVA) is factored in, the annual cost of the license charge is roughly 100.
There is no exception for those who exclusively use a TV to receive non-broadcast signals, such as playing DVDs or watching web movies, unlike in the United Kingdom.
From January 2016, a monthly surcharge equal to one tenth of the annual TV license price will be added to all Italian electricity bills.
What does it cost to start a television channel?
According to Uplinking criteria, a company’s net value must be INR 5 crore for the first channel in order to create a new non-news or current affairs channel. In order to apply for a new news channel, the company’s net worth must be at least INR 20 crore for the first channel.