Belize's Tv Channels: American Content Available?

Belize has a very short TV history, with television only entering the country in the late 1970s. Today, Belize has 3 national TV stations and many local TV channels. Cable TV is widely available in all towns and cities, with over 100 channels as a standard package. About two-thirds of the programming originates in North America, including major networks such as NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, and Fox. Movie channels such as HBO and Starz are also available, along with pay-per-view options for major sporting events.

Cable TV in Belize

Belize has a very short TV history. Television was introduced to the country in the late 1970s with the arrival of VHS playback machines. The broadcast of international TV signals via cable hook-up began in the early 1980s, when Baymen Broadcasting started recording and airing variety shows and local parades.

Today, cable TV is widely available in all towns and cities in Belize, including the suburbs. Cable television rates in Belize average US$20–30 a month and generally include about 90–125 television channels, including American channels such as HBO, Cinemax, SyFy, Showtime, STARZ, ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and FOX.

In 2014, Belize cable TV providers began to interlink their head ends via fibre optic cable to modernise their networks. This new strategy resulted in the provision of High Definition channels. Cable television companies now offer a minimum of 50 High Definition channels, along with a mix of digital and analog channels. HD TV in Belize is currently limited to 780p resolution.

The local cable operators also offer Arab, British, Mexican, Indian, and Chinese channels, as well as Pay-Per-View channels.

Satellite TV in Belize

Belize enjoys widespread on-air, cable, and satellite television access. Even villages in out-of-the-way areas are connected to cable stations. Cable television rates in Belize average US$20-30 per month and generally include about 90-100 television channels, including major American networks such as ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox. Cable television companies now offer a minimum of 50 High Definition channels, along with a mix of digital and analog channels. However, HD TV in Belize is currently limited to 780p resolution.

For those who live too far from population centers to get cable, satellite television from Hughes and Dish TV is available from local dealers. Satellite TV delivers a higher 1080p resolution. The cost of satellite TV in Belize varies depending on the package lineup selected and is generally in line with current charges in North America.

The most popular packages in Belize are from Dish Latino, available from satellites that cover Mexico and Belize. Spanish and English packages are available for US$55 for America's 120+, which includes ESPN, HBO, and Sirius Radio. A two-year contract is required.

C-Band is widely available as are Direct TV and Dish Network. Usually, a six-foot dish is required for good performance, though some satellite TV aficionados import 8-10 foot dishes for better reception. It is recommended that those moving to Belize bring their own satellite TV receivers and then pay a local dealer to provide the dish and setup. The average price for the installation of a satellite TV dish is about US$2,200.

Belize's national TV stations

Belize has three national TV stations and many local TV channels. The national stations are:

Channel 5: Great Belize Television

Channel 5 airs mostly American and Caribbean programmes, as well as locally produced shows like 'Duets', a variety competition from the Bliss Centre.

Channel 7: Tropical Vision Limited

Channel 7 is based in Belize City and is known for its hard-hitting analysis of national issues.

PlusTV

PlusTV is a Christian-based television station, launched in 2005 in Belmopan. It is Belize's third-largest television station.

Belize's local channels include Krem Television, Love Belize, and San Pedro Channel 7.

Belize enjoys widespread on-air, cable, and satellite television access. Cable television rates in Belize average around $20 per month, with some sources stating the cost to be $30 per month. Cable packages generally include around 90-100 television channels, including major American networks such as ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox.

Local TV channels in Belize

Belize has a very short TV history. Television was introduced to the country in the late 1970s with the arrival of VHS playback machines. International TV signals became available in the early 1980s, bringing with them a host of American and Caribbean channels. Today, Belize boasts 3 national TV stations and numerous local TV channels.

Channel 5: Great Belize Television

Channel 5 is one of the national TV stations in Belize. Its programming consists mostly of American and Caribbean shows, as well as locally produced content like "Duets", a variety competition from the Bliss Center.

Channel 7: Tropical Vision Limited

Channel 7 is based in Belize City and is known for its critical stance towards the government. It provides in-depth analysis of national issues and also airs Channel 7 News Belize.

PlusTV

PlusTV is a Christian-based television station that was launched in Belmopan in 2005. It is the third-largest television station in Belize.

Other Local Channels

In addition to the three national stations, Belize has several other local channels:

• Krem Television: Based in Belize City, Krem Television offers a mix of programming, including "WUB Wake Up Belize" and a variety of music.
• Love Belize: Broadcasting from Belize City, Love Belize features news and the Love FM Morning Show.
• San Pedro Channel 7: This channel airs from San Pedro and showcases the Morning Show and coverage of local events.
• Centaur Cable Network: Operating in the Orange Walk area and Corozal.
• Central Cable Vision: Serving Belize City, Belmopan, San Ignacio, and Benque, offering 120+ TV channels and internet access.
• Dangriga Cable Vision: Providing cable television services to the local community.

Cable and Satellite TV in Belize

Belize enjoys widespread access to on-air, cable, and satellite television. Cable TV is readily available in all towns and cities, with rates averaging US$20-30 per month. The standard package includes around 90 channels, such as HBO, Cinemax, SyFy, Showtime, STARZ, and popular American networks like ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC, and Fox. The local cable operators also provide a diverse range of international channels, catering to various linguistic and cultural communities.

Cost of cable TV in Belize

Cable TV is widely available in all towns and cities in Belize, including the suburbs. Cable television rates vary depending on the source and date of the information. According to one source, the average cost of cable television in Belize is around US$20 per month, with a one-time installation fee of $72. This package typically includes over 100 channels, featuring a mix of US, Belizean, Mexican, South American, and Asian channels. Another source states that cable TV in inland Belize costs US$22.50 per month for 125 channels.

In 2021, the average cost of cable television in Belize was around US$30 per month, up from US$22.50 in 2020. This increase in price was due to US television networks raising their access prices for Belize cable operators.

It is worth noting that the cost of cable TV in Belize can also vary depending on the location and the cable company. For example, cable TV in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, and Belmopan may have different prices and channels compared to other areas.

In addition to cable TV, satellite TV is also an option for residents of Belize, with prices varying depending on the package chosen.

Frequently asked questions