Could anyone recommend the cheapest satellite company in NL where I can find US programing and the Tivo feature?

Thanks!

andrew stuckey at http://www.installsat.com/

works fine for me. US programming? check the channels at http://www.sky.com/

sun

I can confirm the prior recommendation. We bought a used system from the family that we replaced when they returned to the US; we had it installed locally by a Dutch guy that does Satellite Dishes (which worked out much cheaper than what Andrew charges). But Andrew was great help with the Sky card that you'll need in order to sign for programming; he provides us with the UK mail address that is needed in order to set up the Sky billing. I searched all over and without a doubt Andrew is the best deal out there for the card and the programming package. Also he answers questions quickly and completely - very straight forward. Andrew sells complete systems too, but as an alternative you can try to search for used Sky+ satellite hardware on places like Ebay (www.ebay.com or www.ebay.co.uk).

We pay about 52 US$ (it's fixed in UK sterling) per month for our sky service/programming and we have the whole package that includes movies etc. We pay via our US credit card which is charged directly by Sky TV on a monthly basis. We have the whole package which frankly is more TV that we can handle. We love the Sky Anytime feature and the DVR feature. The DVR is great since many great shows are very late at night due to time difference. I prefer using the DVR than watching live, since you can watch your show at convenient times, and the you can skip over the commercials as they come by pressing the fast forward button). I go onto the TV guide and look for the programs I may want to see and record them for later viewing at a time that is convenient. Day time TV in NL does not fill our cup tea, and although SKY is not US TV after watching Dutch TV you will fell like you back home in the US watching your usual TV programs.

Some American programs tend to show up on Sky a few weeks later than the US (example Lost, Heroes) other a few months later (example The Shield). But this is much better than on Dutch TV where US shows don't show up until years later. Most US TV shows are available in one of the hundred channels available on SKY - not every show makes it to Dutch TV.

I made the huge mistake of getting Dutch TV when we got here so now I am paying for two services. Dutch TV will be canceled as soon as our 12 month contract runs out.

The positive thing with Dutch TV is that you can learn Dutch easier. But if you like us use TV to help you relax after a hard day at the office then you better go with Sky TV from the start. Also if you have kids there are many more kids channels on Sky (including many Disney channels that are not available in Dutch cable systems). It's hard enough when you move your kids to a new country than having to torture them with out one of the things that will give them comfort.

Frankly I was nervous getting the Sky service since you have to rely on a third party to sign you up for it in the UK - in our case Andrew, but it has worked perfect.

Contact me by PM if you have further questions.

SKY TV is well worth it. The only negative point is that it will make learning Dutch so much harder.

Chamo in Arnhem

PS just a few of the shows that we watch on Sky: Lost, 24, Entourage, Mad men, American Idol, Disney, The Shield, CSI (the many varieties), and more.