StarChoice
From Free net encyclopedia
StarChoice is Canada's second direct broadcast satellite television distributor (the other being Bell ExpressVu), and is majority-owned by cable TV operator Shaw Communications Inc. However, StarChoice launched in March 1997, months before Bell ExpressVu was launched, making it Canada's first satellite provider. As of 2006, StarChoice had over 855,000 subscribers. It broadcasts on Ku band from two communications satellites, Anik F1 at 107.3°W and Anik F2 at 111.1°W; these satellites are owned by Telesat Canada and otherwise are used primarily to distribute programming to various Canadian cable TV companies.
A full list of channels carried by these two satellites is available from satellite-related sites such as Lyngsat: Anik F1 Anik F2. Anik F1 carries most mainstream English-language programming; Anik F2 programming includes French-language and HDTV broadcasts.
StarChoice began in Lincoln, New Brunswick, but is now based in Calgary, Alberta. It also has an operations center in Mississauga, Ontario and call centres in Montreal and Calgary.
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Technical information
The system requires an elliptical antenna of at least 45x60cm in size with a special LNB pair built as one unit to accommodate the narrow 3.8° spacing between satellites; the receiver uses the Motorola-proprietary Digicypher II system which has so far been virtually free of the problems with pirate decryption that have plagued other providers such as rival Bell ExpressVu. The standard 18" DBS antennas used by other providers are not compatible with this system as the signals differ in both frequency and polarisation, due to StarChoice being relayed via FSS satellites, Anik F1 and F2 in this case.
Services and pricing
Up to 420 channels are offered, including:
- multiple feeds from various affiliate stations of Canadian networks, including CBC, CTV and Global
- CJON-TV, better known as NTV, Newfoundland and Labrador's only private TV station
- multiple feeds from various affiliate stations of U.S. networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and PBS; these feeds can come from Detroit, Buffalo (Fox excluded), Rochester, New York (Fox only), Seattle and Spokane
- French Canadian networks such as Radio-Canada, TVA, TQS and Tele-Quebec
- WSBK, UPN affiliate from Boston (soon to be an independent station)
- WPIX and KTLA, WB Television Network affiliates from New York City and Los Angeles, respectively (soon to be affiliates of The CW Television Network)
- Superstation WGN from Chicago
- various specialty channels such as A&E, Bravo! and Showcase
- The Movie Network and Movie Central
- 40 commercial-free and DJ-free digital music channels provided by MaxTrax and Galaxie
- Pay Per View movies and events
- The Fight Network
The monthly packages range from $20 for the basic service, up to $80 for specialty and movie channels. Individual premium and specialty channels can also be purchased. The receivers range from $80 (sometimes sold as low as $25) for a basic system to $700 for a high-definition personal video recorder.
History
- August 1996: Awarded broadcasting license.
- March 1997: Opened first customer care centre.
- March 1997: Activated their first customer, who purchased a receiver for $999 with 100 digital channels when he purchased $400 worth of programming.
- September 1997: Added Pay Per View to their lineup.
- September 1999: Added 60 new channels to their lineup.
- January 2000: Launched HDTV programming with the broadcast of Super Bowl XXXIV, the first High Definition TV broadcast in Canada.
- August 2000: Privatized by Shaw Communications Inc. through its acquisition of Cancom.
- April 2001: Activated both Anik F1 and Anik E2 satellites, becoming the first Canadian provider to broadcast services from two satellites simultaneously.
- March 2002: Moved its head office from Toronto, Ontario to Calgary, Alberta.
- May 2002: Sold its one millionth receiver.
- August 2003: Launched its first fully integrated High Definition receiver, the Motorola DSR500 HD.
- February 2004: Added 18 additional channels including 2 high-definition ones.
- July 2004: Announced the expansion of new channels as a result of the launch of the Anik F2 satellite.
- May 2005: Launched the dual tuner High Definition Digital Video Recorder.
In late 2005 StarChoice changed their footprint to the lower states and especially Mexico. Locations that used to be able to get a great signal with the regular sized dish now require much more careful aiming. If travelling below Mazatlan, it is advisable to use a larger dish. At Puerto Vallarta channel 299 will get a signal of 24 if aimed VERY VERY CAREFULLY using the small dish. Other channels are much lower and not stable or available, but some are better (HDTV usually). January 16, 2006.