Got some questions for you Americans

[Domestic]

Ok, so here in Australia there are only really two channels that broadcast NBA/NFL/MLB which are one HD and ESPN. One HD is free, ESPN is a pay tv channel.

But I was wondering in America which channels are free to air and which channels are paid services and for which states and how it all works. Is ESPN its own channel or is it a service that runs on multiple free to air channels?
Also, What about Fox Sports? Over here it is a pay channel and I am not sure exactly how affiliated it is with the American Fox Network.

Thanks team

[Kaabee]

none of the channels here technically free, you have to have cable or satellite to get them. you can pay extra for packages that allow you to watch all the games.

[Sunde91]

The most basic free TV package (like buy a TV, plug it in and that's what's on without paying for anything) offers about 20 channels. You can get some games on CBS, ABC, and NBC, but they aren't too common.

ESPN and Fox Sports are their own channels and come in the next cheapest cable/satellite/DirectTV package.

[ehp6737]

It depends what cable package or satellite package you buy. It also depends which state you live in as each state has different cable providers that are offered. So price and package options vary a little. You dont buy each channel individually. But espn/espn2/espn news/ generally come with the basic package. I pay like an additional $8.99/mo to get the "sports package" which also gives me espn classic/espnu (so I get like 6 or 7 diff espn channels all together) as well as 4 different FOX sports channels (which are great cause they have cool s**t on there like aussie rules football, etc) I also get MLB channel/NBA channel/NHL channel and then some college channels like big10 network, etc.....well worth the extra $9 a month

[ehp6737]

The most basic free TV package (like buy a TV, plug it in and that's what's on without paying for anything) offers about 20 channels. You can get some games on CBS, ABC, and NBC, but they aren't too common.

ESPN and Fox Sports are their own channels and come in the next cheapest cable/satellite/DirectTV package.

I dont believe this is true any longer. Since the government (FCC) did away with the analog broadcast signal last year, I dont believe you can any longer just hook the cable into the wall and get the 20 or so basic channels for free like you used to be able to

[Kaabee]

there are actually lots of OTA channels, including hd ones, you just need that free government box

[Domestic]

Thanks Sundee, ehp, kaabee.
I understand now.

[maersksealand]

atdhe.net

just watch online for free

[Waterstpub87]

I know around where I am located (West PA) Basic television service (the 20 channel kind) runs about 15 a month and the better cable with ESPN and all runs about 40.

[DiggityDaggityDo]

Does the toilet water really spin in reverse in Australia??? I can not believe that it does.

[shari91]

Does the toilet water really spin in reverse in Australia??? I can not believe that it does.

No.

[DiggityDaggityDo]

No.

Shari, u live in Ausi land?

[shari91]

Shari, u live in Ausi land?

Yeah for the time being. Don't know for how much longer though - too far from home.

[DiggityDaggityDo]

I hear the food there is terrible, not as bad as England, but still pretty bad. Any truth to that?

[shari91]

I hear the food there is terrible, not as bad as England, but still pretty bad. Any truth to that?

No. In fact Melbourne and Sydney, especially Melbourne, are known for having some of the best restaurants in the world. This is definitely a foodie kind of country.