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Cubans Ignore Static on Illegal TV
Even committed commies crave US satellite shows despite Castro ban
By Dustin Lushing
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Posted Jul 12, 07 7:54 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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Cubans are turning to black-market satellite TV to watch soap operas, US news and music videos, and even the Chicago White Sox—in defiance of a national ban on the programs, the Christian Science Monitor reports. "If there is censorship, there is business," said one provider who faces up to 5 years in prison if caught.
Loyal citizens only get four state-run channels, but 38% of households are watching shows from a secret network of suppliers of systems like DirecTV for about $7.50 a month. Even party faithful skirt the law: One fan says her neighbor, head of the Committee for the Defense of the Revolution, tunes in. "All our neighbors know, but no one talks about it," she says.