Re: TV coverage (TV-Japan)

[r2sys@r2systems.com (Roxanne Pierce/R2 Systems)]

>"TV-JAPAN makes it possible to view life in Japan right in your home by 
>delivering exceptional programming from NHK, Japan's leading broadcaster by
>using a small antenna dish available through your local PRIMESTAR distributor
>or as a premium service through select cable systems.  As an added feature,
>bilingual broadcasts are available for News 7 and the Sumo Tournaments."
>
I, too, live in San Diego and have further information on TV-Japan and 
PRIMESTAR.  According to the Primestar  representative for Southwest Cable 
(my local cable company), the Primestar satellite service is really designed 
for people who cannot get cable to their homes.  In order to get TV-Japan 
(and its sumo broadcasts), you must pay $150.00 for installing the 36 inch 
satellite dish (this implies that you live in an area where satellite dishes 
are permitted), $29.00 per month for the basic channel package (30 
channels), and an additional $20.00 per month JUST for TV-Japan.  No, they 
will not sell the TV-Japan service without at least a subscription to the 
basic services.  I asked.

My next thought was that if I cancelled my current cable service and took 
Primestar instead, it might be worth it.  But it turns out that my current 
Southwest Cable basic service includes about 45 channels, not just 30.  In 
order to get all 45 channels I currently receive (including AMC, TBS, 
Discovery, and a few others I really like), my monthly cost would be around 
$70.00.  So the bottom line for me is that since my current cable cost is 
$23.00 per month, I would pay a one-time fee of $150 and an additional 
$47.00 per month to watch the 15 days of sumo every two months. And as much 
as I want to, I just cannot justify that expense (at least not until I win 
lotto!).  

There are a few benefits, however.  The Primestar package of about 60 
channels also includes a number of pay channels that I don't get (or 
particularly want), like HBO, Showtime, and Disney.  The package also 
includes a whole bunch of sports channels not available on cable.  So the 
costs might be worth it for some people.

Roxanne Pierce