That's a Lot of TV

Here at the Scalzi Compound, we've got a satellite TV set-up that allows us to get roughly 50 times the number of television stations I had when I was a kid. That's pretty nifty, but compared to this guy, our set up stinks:

Come to Al Jessup's house -- where his 5,000-plus radio and television stations from around the world beamed in by his 12 satellite dishes are bound to keep you entertained somehow.

Since 1998, the Beckley resident has amassed a collection of 12 dishes around his James Street home. He said he first just began subscribing to Direct TV and Dish Network, but he later learned that by purchasing special satellite receivers he could receive "free to air" programming from several different satellites swirling the globe. The information on how to adjust a dish and set up a receiver to pick up programming from these stations such as Galaxy 10, AMC 2 and Telestar 5 is included with these receivers.

"Up in the sky, there's lots of free stuff," he said.

Over the years, the 54-year-old disabled former ice cream salesman collected more and more dishes so he could pick up more and more "free to air" channels. Neighbors, he said, never complained about his large display of dishes in front of his house. In fact, some of his dishes were hand-me-downs from his neighbors.

You have to see the picture that comes with the story, by the way. We're talking more dishes than a church social. It's nice to have a hobby. It does leave unanswered the question of whether there's actually anything worth watching on those 5,000 channels. But let's not let practical considerations intrude on such a magnificent obsession, shall we?

(via Boing Boing)

Written by johnmscalzi Blog about this entry

This entry has 2 comments: (Add your own)

#2 Comment from kevinq2000
11/29/05 11:56 AM | Permalink

re: The picture. It's ugly; I certainly wouldn't want my house to look like that. But at least it's not the obnoxious 6-foot dishes I was expecting. A dozen of those in a yard would be bad.

K
#1 Comment from gotomaria
11/29/05 9:17 AM | Permalink

Now this is one for your Monday photo shoot on collections! Must be the modern version of the radio ham operator...only the receiving end. Worldwide news......in all sorts of languages I would imagine.
Maria

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That's a Lot of TV