Shanghai authorities warn of illegal satellite TV crackdown

Looks like the life of that satellite dish you have covertly installed on your patio may be coming to a premature end if the Shanghai government has its way.

From Shanghai Daily:

Seventeen government departments will launch a joint city-wide campaign to wipe out illegal television satellites that can receive foreign TV programs across Shanghai.

There are a few places where satellite dishes are allowed, essentially military/government compounds and expat havens. If you aren't in one of those places you may run into problems. Evidently, the "authority may dismantle the illegal satellites by force if owners refuse to cooperate", and if you do refuse to dismantle your satellite chances are you will face prosecution.

So in the meantime we recommend watching as much American Idol as possible and find a few good DVD shops near your house. Alternatively, we've heard of camouflaging satellites by hanging laundry on them, but not sure how that affects reception.

Word is it will be a year long campaign so be on the lookout for the man knocking on your door.

Illustration by Joe Hastings