Free-to-air

Free-to-air is a phrase used to describe television and radio broadcasts which are available without subscription and without decryption (pay-TV).

By contrast, free-to-view broadcasts are available without subscription, but do require decryption.

Examples in the UK's British Sky Broadcasting system are:

• Sky News: free-to-air - broadcast without encryption
• Channel 4: free-to-view - broadcast with encryption, but available without subscription

Although these channels are described as free the viewer does in fact pay for them, either directly by payment of a licence fee as in the case of the BBC, or indirectly by paying for consumer products and services where part of the cost goes toward television advertising and sponsorship.

External links

http://www.lyngsat.com/freetv/index.html http://www.lyngsat.com/freeradio/index.html