Free-to-air
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Free-to-air is a phrase used to describe television and radio broadcasts which are available without subscription and without decryption (pay-TV).
By contrast, free-to-view broadcasts are available without subscription, but do require decryption.
Examples in the UK's British Sky Broadcasting system are:
- Sky News: free-to-air - broadcast without encryption
- Channel 4: free-to-view - broadcast with encryption, but available without subscription
Although these channels are described as free the viewer does in fact pay for them, either directly by payment of a licence fee as in the case of the BBC, or indirectly by paying for consumer products and services where part of the cost goes toward television advertising and sponsorship.