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Orby TV

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6.3

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: March 26th, 2024

In 2019, a team of TV industry veterans launched Orby TV with hopes of bringing back trust, transparency, and integrity to the market.

Orby TV is a satellite television service that requires no contract or credit check. The company follows a prepaid, pay-as-you-go model. Orby TV’s most popular package is only $40 per month and local TV shows and stations are always free.

During September of 2019, Orby TV announced a partnership with Eutelsat as its official satellite partner while at the IBC Show in Amsterdam. Shortly after this announcement, it also announced a partnership with Globecast as a broadcast solutions vendor in October 2019.

Orby TV is currently available to the 48 contiguous United States.

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The Good

  • 30-Day Risk-Free Trial
  • Simple Setup
  • Eliminating Long Contracts and Fees
  • Local TV Antenna
  • Premium Channel Options

30-Day Risk-Free Trial

Currently, Orby TV is offering a 30-day risk-free trial. Customers who order the Orby TV satellite system can try it out and if they don’t love it, Orby TV will give them a full refund on the equipment and professional installation*.

Simple Setup

Getting started with Orby TV is a fairly simple process. All consumers have to do is purchase an Orby TV Receiver — which can be found on the company website for $100 or from a local Best Buy. The Orby TV satellite dvr service upgrade is available for $200 plus taxes and allows up to 100 hours of HD recording.

Upon receiving the equipment, customers can schedule a professional installation for $150. For those who prefer not to pay installation fees, Orby TV has a self-installation kit that is available for $70.

After that, Orby TV encourages customers to sit back and enjoy a lifetime of savings.

Eliminating Long Contracts and Fees

Orby TV has done away with long contracts. Customers don’t have to worry about being locked into a two-year contract with a low initial price but then have to deal with an outrageous price hike for their second year.

Orby TV allows customers to pay month to month for their service and customers can pause or cancel at any time.

The majority of TV providers charge a monthly rental fee for any equipment. This often can cost around $10–$12 per month per room. Orby TV has eliminated this recurring fee and instead has customers buy and own their equipment. Orby TV also does not have any reconnect fees or late fees.

Local TV Antenna

Orby TV includes an outdoor antenna with the Orby TV satellite dish. The antenna simply attaches to the dish and brings you local TV channels for free. Additionally, Orby TV’s on-screen guide combines the local channels with the satellite channels.

Premium Channel Options

Orby TV customers can add on premium channels to their base TV package. For example, adding the HBO channels will cost an additional $18 per month, while the STARZ premium channels will only cost an extra $9 per month.

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The Bad

  • Weather Interference
  • Professional Installation Recommended
  • Installation Cost
  • Sports Channels

Weather Interference

As with all satellite TV providers, Orby TV’s signal and reception can be hindered by the weather. Customers who live in an area with a lot of rain, snow, or wind gusts may have trouble with a satellite TV provider.

Professional Installation Recommended

Orby TV strongly encourages customers to have their equipment installed by a professional.

However, the company does offer a Self Installation Kit that comes with a satellite dish, outdoor TV antenna for local television, and mounting hardware.

While many consumers may gravitate toward the Self Installation Kit to save money, they should be warned that previous installation expertise is required. It also states that consumers will need to provide their own tools and cabling.

Additionally, choosing the Self Installation Kit will void the product warranty and the one-year service warranty that is included with the professional installation.

There is also a $40 restocking fee if the Self Installation Kit is returned.

Installation Cost

Orby TV’s standard installation price for one room is $150 and each additional room is $50 (plus the cost of an additional receiver/DVR).

While installation costs are fairly common throughout the entire industry, there are a few companies that will waive the installation fee or only charge customers an activation fee.

Sports Channels

Unfortunately, Orby TV does not offer as many sports channels as its competitors do.

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The Bottom Line

Overall, it seems like Orby TV is a decent option for consumers who aren’t quite ready to cut the cord but want to save on their monthly TV bill.

The satellite TV provider only offers two packages but they are reasonably priced. Both have a decent channel lineup and a number of premium and HD channels are available. Additionally, users will get a TV antenna along with their satellite dish allowing them to get local TV stations for free.

However, Orby TV’s biggest selling feature is the fact that users don’t have to sign a two-year contract. Customers pay month to month and have the ability to cancel anytime without a plethora of fees.

Nonetheless, there are a few downsides to getting a TV subscription with Orby TV. Although the company does its best to cut down on unnecessary fees, users can’t escape them altogether. Customers will have to pay an installation fee of $150 (for the first room, $50 for each additional room), restocking fees (if equipment is returned) and a DVR service fee — which is $4 per month with a programming package and $12 per month just by itself.

As with all satellite TV providers the service will be affected by the weather. Those who live in areas with extreme weather conditions may experience more signal and reception issues than those who live in a temperate region. Additionally, local channels will vary by location. Read our verified Orby TV reviews below to learn more about the customer experience.

 
 
*Risk-free trial offer valid for equipment purchases and rental. Offer only available by phone. Offer valid only on professional installations, self-installation kits not included. You must call Orby TV customer care within 30 days of activation to receive a return authorization (RMA) and prepaid shipping label. Return your Orby TV equipment in like-new condition to receive a full refund. All returns require an RMA. Monthly programming not included in risk-free trial and is not refundable. All marks are property of their respective owners.
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Star Rating

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2.7

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59 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

32%

4 grade

7%

3 grade

3%

2 grade

7%

1 grade

51%

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Steve East Moline, IL

The tv is fine but the installation company is a nightmare. It took me 3 weeks to get hooked up in the first location and they called to cancel 1 hour before installation. Now that I am trying to get a second location done it’s another 3 weeks out and a major runaround.

4 years ago

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John Zaugg Commerce City, CO

I have ORBY TV and it stinks because they have streaming text on the TV screen which is disgusting, annoying and impossible to read. And you cannot turn it OFF. May6be I will change TV service????

3 years ago