Pay TV

Pay television, or pay-TV, usually refers to subscription-based television services, usually provided by both analogue and digital cable and satellite, but also increasingly by digital terrestrial methods. It is often the target of pirate decryption.

Related Topics:
Subscription - Television - Cable - Satellite - Digital terrestrial - Pirate decryption

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Pay per view (PPV) services are similar to subscription-based pay TV services in that you must pay to have the broadcast decrypted for viewing, but usually only entail a one-off payment for a single or time-limited viewing.

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"Free" variants are free-to-air (FTA) and free-to-view (FTV), however FTV services are normally encrypted and decryption cards either come as part of an initial subscription to a pay TV bouquet or can be purchased for a one-off cost.

Related Topics:
Free-to-air - Free-to-view

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In North America, the terms "pay television" or "premium television" tend to refer specifically to commercial-free services which are usually subscribed to individually (albeit often in multiplex form) or in small packages, as opposed to regular cable networks or specialty services which are generally made available in larger packages. Historically, they were distributed on encrypted analog channels, but they are now usually available through digital means, and thus bear little distinction in that sense from regular cable / satellite services on digital platforms. In most cases they show movies throughout the day, with occasional original series, sports events, and other specials.

Related Topics:
North America - Specialty service - Analog - Movies

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Examples include HBO and Showtime in the United States, and The Movie Network and Movie Central in Canada; analogous networks such as Sky Movies (in the U.K.) are available in much of the world. Due to high subscription fees, they are generally the most profitable networks in their respective territories.

Related Topics:
HBO - Showtime - United States - The Movie Network - Movie Central - Canada - Sky Movies - U.K.

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