HowChinaWorks

Apart from pirated Hollywood DVD’s available everywhere for a view RMB , you might be tempted to watch foreign language TV channels in China now and then.

Satellite TV

As TV Satellites are in a geostationary orbit, it is not possible to receive signals from American or European Satellites. Normal Chinese TV will only give you the english language CCTV9 “propaganda”-channel. Luckily other Asian countries are in a better position and have a lot of foreign language channels. The best thing: those satellites can be received in China.

• Dream Satellite TV Package from the Philippines
  Channels: HBO Asia, CNN, ESPN, CNBC Asia, BBC World, Ben sports, Australia Network, Bloomberg, NGC, Animal planet, Cinemax, Star Movies, Star Chinese Movies, Hallmark, Star World, AXN, NGC, ETC, 2nd Avenue, MTV, EntertainmentCentral, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Animax, Star Sports, DW, TBN, JCTV, Living Asia
• HBOCN Family Package from China
  Channels: HBO, CNN, ESPN, Discovery, Cinemax, AXN, TV5, NHK, TVB Jade, BBC world, MTV, Channel Newsasia, Phoenix Movie, Star sports, TVB xinghe, Hallmark Channel, Star Movies, Bloomberg, CNBC, CCTV4, CCTV9, CCTV-Olympics, NOW,EuroSportNews, Phoenix News, Shenzhen TV Station, Celestial Movies, Macau TV, KBS World, Fashion TV, MTV China, Guangdong TV Station, Phoenix Chinese
• Sinosat 1
  This satellite owned by the Chinese government broadcasts most of the TV channels available in international hotels but is not available for individual subscription. Before 2003 hacked cards were available to watch the system illegally. After a system/encryption change it seem not to be possible anymore.
• DSTV Package from South Africa
  Channels: Supersport1,Supersport2, Supersport3, Supersport5, Supersport6, Supersport7, Supersport8, Supersport update , DD Sports, Star Movies, Hallmark, FilmAsia, ESPN, StarSports, CNN, Skynews, CNBC Asia, BBC World, Discovery, NGC, History, AnimalPlanet, FashionTV, AXN, TV5, NHK, MTV, Channel[v], CartoonNetwork

Check out hbocn.cn if you are interested in the options above.

Internet TV

There are quite a few TV channels who do life broadcasts over the internet. The quality varies but is most often impacted by the very low speed of the Chinese Internet to foreign Servers. Beeline TV has a good list of foreign language online TV stations. Some TV stations stream through the internet but will prevent you from watching the stream in china due to licensing issues. You can circumvent this bey connecting through a VPN provider in that country.

Recorded TV

Some countries offer services like an Online TV Recorder which you can program over the internet and download the videos later. These services are especially popular in Germany where even a free online tv recorder is available (cluttered with ads though): OnlineTVRecorder.com