American TV???

Longhorn · #1 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 03:31 AM

OK folks, serious question!

I am not the type to go out very often, I'm not a real social animal outside of work and for that matter I work a ton and intend on working even more in dubai since I will be single and have no friends...but when I get home what I do like to do is sit down and watch all my favorite shows, especially in the fall. I was just going through my tivo here and realized that I may be missing out on this modern day miracle once I settle in there.

So, how do those of you that are homebodies like me cope with the lack of good non-censored American TV in Dubai? Does anyone have a slingbox set up in the states and if so how well does it work? Are there other ways of getting major shows like Lost, Heros, Big Brother, House etc without paying an arm and a leg for it? And what about college football...any way to catch the games on Saturday or do I HAVE to learn to watch soccer...err football?

I really don't imagine I will mind the weather or the other little annoyances of day to day life there but I sure am going to miss my tv!

On a side note I am about a month from moving there and this is about the biggest concern I have....is that bad?

Mac · #2 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 08:59 AM

I was chatting with some friends last night and they asked me what one thing I think I'm going to miss when I move to Dubai....

... I answered unequivocally, "TV".
(I think they may have been a little upset that i never said them) They all laughed tho and said, "yup, that makes total sense".

I'm a very social person but have Sky+ here in the UK which means I never miss any of my shows.

I'll be honest & say I too am a little worried what I'm gona do without Sky. Especially now I've read BBC iPlayer doesn't work in Dubai.... I was planning on keeping up to date with Doctor Who, The Apprentice etc.

I've came to the conclusion that a move to Dubai is also means a total change of lifestyle & I'm just gona have to go with the flow, as they say. When I was in Dubai in May there were advertising KnightRider on TV like it was the new season of 24! Don't get me wrong, I think KnightRider is brilliant... but that's why I already have them all on DVD!

So, to sum up mate. I say you do the same as me & just get out and about. Make new friends & see what else the world can offer other than quality, well written programmes with awesome special effects! If you're like me & like having a couple of beers whilst you watch the box after work you could find this difficult in Dubai as you pretty much need to go to a bar to get a drink!

Oh yeah, become a "soccer" fan! The Toon Army's always looking for supporters around the world!!

Elphaba · #3 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 10:50 AM

Long horn - For many of us, the main complaint about TV is that there are too many American shows!!

It is probably a season behind, but you will find Lost, Heroes, Grey's Anatomy & far too many reality shows, as well as Oprah and her ilk. And there really isn't that much TV censorship.

I know of people who have a Slingbox from the Uk, so I presume it would work from the US. You can also learn the 'dark arts' of downloading.

Other than that, I would suggest that moving half way around the world gives you an opportunity to get out and meet different people and have new expereinces. Why bother moving if all you plan to do is to watch US TV?

Mac - Knightrider is being shown on a low-rent channel and is certainly not of interest to most people! Shows are usually just a season/series behind the US and UK. I believe UK soaps are aired just a few days later.

Honestly, why expect the Middle East to be like 'home'?

-

Longhorn · #4 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 01:18 PM

Well, all I really plan to do is work and my way of relaxing after a 14 hour day is a little mindless television, doesn't matter what part or the world I sit down to do that. Like I said I am much less of a social person than most and a bit older than a lot of the expats so going out and meeting people will be something I do on occasion but not a nightly thing. I will however enjoy exploring the country and learning the culture of the U.A.E. on those rare days when I do venture out.

I am going to try to set up a slingbox to see how that will work and I'll keep y'all posted

Longhorn · #5 (**permalink**) 17th July 2008, 01:20 PM

Also I don't expect the middle east to be ANYTHING like home...just want a little bit of home while I am there...too much to ask?

Shuja · #6 (**permalink**) 18th July 2008, 08:36 AM

Longhorn, you'll be surprised to see the number of American shows played here on different stations. By the way, see if you can get your hands on an AFN (Armed Forces Network) Receiver. You'll never miss American television, except the ads off course.

hari · #7 (**permalink**) 18th July 2008, 08:47 AM

Watch all your channels online at justin.tv or ustream.tv

Abacha · #8 (**permalink**) 10th November 2008, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Longhorn

Well, all I really plan to do is work and my way of relaxing after a 14 hour day is a little mindless television, doesn't matter what part or the world I sit down to do that. Like I said I am much less of a social person than most and a bit older than a lot of the expats so going out and meeting people will be something I do on occasion but not a nightly thing. I will however enjoy exploring the country and learning the culture of the U.A.E. on those rare days when I do venture out.

I am going to try to set up a slingbox to see how that will work and I'll keep y'all posted

Longhorn - moving from Louisiana in Jan, did you try the slingbox and did it work?

DesertStranded · #9 (**permalink**) 11th November 2008, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuja

By the way, see if you can get your hands on an AFN (Armed Forces Network) Receiver. You'll never miss American television, except the ads off course.

And how does one get one of those?

The movies and shows that don't come on tv here I just download. Being able to download without worrying about getting busted is about the only thing I'll miss when I leave here. Well, that and the kabab.

amaslam · #10 (**permalink**) 11th November 2008, 04:40 AM

I've been a US expat living in Australia for the last 5 years and all the American TV I need is via:

1. DVD boxsets (all the stuff from last year or earlier)
2. Dark arts of downloading (aka Bittorrent), I can be in sync with the US schedule within hours. What I've found is I have so much TV to watch now I'm behind at least one season.
3. As an expat you'll find more things to do outside, it's just no fun working hard and then just vegging all the time. I've travelled MUCH more around the world while being an expat than when I was living in the US.

On the subject of TV I find some of the UK stuff is excellent (i.e. Top Gear)