It's fun to debunk myths - especially myths that try to limit a customer's options. Cable companies perpetuate myths, such as: Satellite TV subscribers cannot watch different channels on different TVs. Cable companies suggest that the only way to have multiple TVs hooked up to satellite is to have multiple dishes - an expensive, time consuming, and completely unnecessary option.

There is no reason that satellite TV subscribers cannot have multiple TVs in their homes. The premise is ridiculous. Just as cable companies offer a split in their cabling to allow cable viewers to set up more than one cable outlet, satellite TV viewers can similarly split their signal so that they can view satellite TV on several different TVs.

In part, this is accomplished with a different satellite dish. Actually, it's just the arm of the dish (LNB) that changes. By using a dish with a dual LNB, the satellite dish receives two signals that are sent via two coax cables to two different receivers. Each receiver is attached to the individual TV. This allows the viewer of each TV to select the program they'd like to watch, independent from the other TV viewers.

Another option to consider is a multiswitch. Multiswitches are used mostly with condos or apartment houses where multiple tenants would like to watch TV from a satellite signal. Rather than install multiple dishes on the roof of the building, the tenants or owners can consider a multiswitch. The multiswitch receives signals from the satellite (one with the dual LNB) and passes the signal to the multiswitch box. The box essentially splits the signal and transmits it to each unit. But the signal doesn't degrade; in fact the multiswitch amplifies it. Multiswitches are also used in extremely large homes. It's possible to daisy chain the multiswitch to as many as 32 units from one satellite dish.

So, if you'd like to watch TV in bed while another family member watches TV in the living room, satellite TV is still a wonderful option. You can count on wonderful reception and quality programming on as many TVs as you would like.