Semi-serious question about satellite TV.

[Yollam]

Okay, so we're set to move back to Japan at the beginning of April.

When we lived there before, I subscribed to DirecTV Japan, because they had a lineup that included a few English channels - mostly movies, but it was better than nothing. There was CNN International ( which sheltered me from knowing how bad the US version was becoming in my absence) They had a weird version of NBC that just showed reruns of Conan & Leno all the time, but it went off the air pretty quick.

Well, after we left, DirecTV Japan was bought out by SKY PerfecTV, which you may know is a Rupert Murdoch venture.

When we go back, they will be the only game in town for getting some English programming. Their only full-time American channel is Fox - but hey, I like the Simpsons, 70s Show and American Idol. For news they have BBC world and a Japanese version of CNN - no more CNNi. Thank God, there is no Fox News Channel - guess theere's no market for a fascist demagogue station in Japan at this point.


So is it wrong for me to put $30/mo in Rupert's pocket, or is it justified by the fact that it will give my kids a bit of exposure to English and their other home country (and the fact that it might ameliorate the occasional fit of homesickness)?

I dunno. I really wish there was another satellite service there, but there isn't - and only one ward of Fukuoka has cable, and it's unlikely we'll live there.

[laheina]

1. If you don't have a lot of options

then you shouldn't feel guilty.

Plus, it's only thirty dollars gross. ;)

[billyskank]

2. Difficult not to put money in Rupert Murdoch's pocket

which is the way he likes it.

[wain]

3. Oh, go ahead. he won't even notice it.

Why penalize yourself when 30 bucks is not even a grain of sand to Murdoch. Besides you know how to filter the newsreader out of the news.

I remember as a teenager living in England and attending a British school. Touchstones with America such as the International Herald Tribune, Armed Forces Radio for baseball games and popular music, and a subscription to The Sporting News were important. So I vote for the kids - let Murdoch have your 30 bucks.
:)

[NJ Democrats]

4. I say get it.

$30 won't matter to Murdoch, but ti is good to give your kids some English stations.

[Rabrrrrrr]

5. You will expiate your sin if you destroy all natto manufacturing

:7

Seriouly, when a person only has one choice, a person only has one choice. The other option is go entirely without TV, which, while it's a smart thing, does mean that your children won't get any English. Not the end of the world, but I think if I were in a foreign country with kids, I'd want them to get some exposure to the home culture and home language as well. So I think you have to bite the bullet, and give Rupert some money.