Satellite systems used to be very popular here - but nowadays most folks have TV as part of their Internet connection. Most Internet TV services include a few English language channels like CNN, BBC News and possibly Skye News. There are also a few English language options (for an extra monthly charge) like Fox News, BBC Prime. In addition, several channels that broadcast movies and series offer "Version Multi" where you can select either the French version (dubbed) or the VO (original version) of programs and movies originally released in English.

Internet service with TV included runs roughly 35 to 50€ a month, plus charges for additional channels - either individually or as part of a "bouquet" of related channels - figure 1 to 6€ a month for individual channels, 5 to 10 or 12€ a month for a "bouquet" of channels.

 

Many thanks for the quick response. The charges appear to be reasonable, so that is good news. Do you know the name of a provider or website that I could look at to get more information? Can you still get TV through a dish network?

 

The remaining satellite services readily available here in France tend to be all or mostly French channels - TNTSat or FranSat. Otherwise, for Internet TV plans, try any of the French Internet providers: SFR, Orange, Free, Bouygues, etc.

 

There are also quite a few streaming services that offer movies and shows in multiple languages. Just note that not all options are available in all countries.

On Amayon Prime I get a lot of movies in the dubbed version only with no OV option, for instance.

 

You don't have to because you can stream now.
We got a dish to watch UK channels (Freesat- Astra 28E) because our home internet is somewhat limited (4G router with service from Prixtel that varies by usage) and my wife watches a lot of Netflix anyway.
My setup cost less than 50 euros. I found a used 60cm dish complete with cable on Leboncoin for 10 euros. I bought a generic satellite receiver on Amazon for 30 euros. I bought a satelitte pointer for 10 euros. It wasn't hard to set up. I get hundreds of UK TV and radio stations.
It's pretty easy to find used dishes now because everyone (but me ) seems to be streaming and wants to get rid of their old clunky dishes.

 

I think just about all the main stream channels from TF1 onwards stream in VO as well as French. It is very rare these days to find that the live stream is restricted to French, just some of the replays.
We just "suck it and see" if VO comes up.
It's not that we can't view in French, it's simply that we like to hear an actor speak their lines in their own voice, not somebody else's.
Amazon Prime transmits programs according to the country in which the Prime account is registered. An Amazon Fire stick also allows programs to be downloaded as per the account's home country base. Apple + doesn't seem so fussy.

 

Actually, the availability of the VM, while widely available, is not always available. US or UK programs from before a certain date apparently aren't available in VM at all. (Mores the pity - some of the French channels regularly broadcast the original Zorro series, The Avengers, The A Team and other "classics" - but only in the dubbed versions.)

Netflix seems to always have the option to access the VO (original language) audio and usually English subtitles. Amazon Prime varies - for most US or British based TV series, the VO is just about always available. It's not always the case for US or British films. (Has something to do with the broadcast rights they buy.)

 

I am in central france. 100% signal strength, 85% quality using an 80cm dish, with a wideband lnb so I can record 4 channels at once ( Freesat 4k 2tb receiver ). The receiver is also connected to the internet via a VPN, which allows me to watch UK catchup TV. All of this is free, no monthly fees, and around £400 to set up. Other, cheaper receivers are available.
A cheaper alternative is an Amazon firestick, around €45. A VPN can be loaded directly on the firestick, allowing you to watch catch up tv from the UK or elsewhere via your broadband or fiber connection. You will need at least 6 mbs download speeds to avoid buffering. Good luck

 

Wow! I knew there had to be a good alternative to regular TV channels. So do you have a DVR? Is all this set up to a big-screen TV or to a monitor of a computer system? I guess that cost for this is the internet service, so although you say it is free, there has to be a monthly internet charge. Whatever your reply, I feel I should get the entertainment I am looking for. Thanks.

 

Yes my monthly charge with SOSH ( internet only version of Orange) is (I think ) €20.99 a month, unlimited internet and free landline calls to a shed load of countries, UK & USA included. All viewed on my 40" TV in the lounge. However, if you choose just to have Freesat, with no catch up, you don't need an internet connection at all. Once you have paid the set up costs, it really is free. Good luck.

 

Many thanks for the info. I will be looking into everything about the entertainment on the TV and the different ways to connect. I am amazed that prices are so much lower than here in the US, and that there is free stuff.

 

I am amazed that prices are so much lower than here in the US

This is true of quite a number of things here. The only exceptions are things related to energy, which are all much higher. Is it more competition in France, or less in the US or something else at play?

 

Whilst I have no knowledge of utility prices ect in the USA, it seems to me that car/bike spares are way cheaper in the USA than France. I have bought many boat related items, and am currently waiting for several brake components for a 1984 Kawasaki GPZ resto, which when factoring in import tax / tva / shipping still work out way cheaper than europe. There also seems to be more availability.

 

Probably true also. Car prices seem to be somewhat inflated in France, though I haven't bought anything recently in the US to compare with. I did sell a lot of stuff and got way more $ for my old Nissan than I thought I should have (and then spent it on a French car).

 

Internet and mobile phone pricing has been held fairly steady here in France since Free.fr entered the market. Many other physical products tend to run about 20% higher than in the US, thanks to the VAT included in the prices quoted to end consumers.

 

When was the last time you were in the US?

 

220 volts in France and all homes are supposed to have been updated to trip switches (one master trip switch plus trip switches for each circuit) - you can of course Google this information in English.

P
Electrical cables may be concealed in older homes or may not be. New homes should have cabling concealed, but this will mostly be behind skirting boards or within some form of ducting. New homes and many renovated homes may have power points concealed in a variety of ways.

All light globes are LED.

 

220 volts in France and all homes are supposed to have been updated to trip switches (one master trip switch plus trip switches for each circuit) - you can of course Google this information in English.

P
Electrical cables may be concealed in older homes or may not be. New homes should have cabling concealed, but this will mostly be behind skirting boards or within some form of ducting. New homes and many renovated homes may have power points concealed in a variety of ways.

All light globes are LED.

I had a feeling that was the case with the wiring being hidden in different ways, so it just depends on the age of the house as to what you will find.