The Ultimate Guide to Orby TV Bill Pay: What Happened and What’s Next

Are you scratching your head trying to figure out how to pay your Orby TV bill? Well, I’ve got some news that might explain why you’re having trouble. Orby TV, the budget-friendly satellite TV service that many cord-cutters came to love, has unfortunately closed its doors. Let me walk you through what happened to Orby TV, what this means for your bill payments, and what alternatives you might want to consider now.

What Happened to Orby TV?

Orby TV was a promising satellite TV service that launched in spring 2019, offering an affordable alternative to expensive cable packages At just $40 a month for their basic package (including taxes!), Orby TV was a breath of fresh air in the world of TV services

But sadly, the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on March 14, 2021, and completely shut down their operations. This means

• You can no longer pay bills to Orby TV
• The service is completely discontinued
• Customer support is no longer available
• Equipment you purchased (receivers, dishes) won’t work for Orby TV service anymore

This came as a shock to many loyal customers who appreciated Orby TV’s straightforward pricing and no-contract approach

Why Orby TV Was Different

Before we look at alternatives, let’s remember what made Orby TV special:

• No contracts required – Unlike traditional satellite services
• Clear pricing at $40/month for the basic package
• Few add-on fees that typically frustrate cable subscribers
• Equipment ownership model – You bought the receivers outright
• Hybrid approach combining satellite channels with free over-the-air broadcasts

The company used a smart strategy of bundling an outdoor antenna with their satellite dish to pick up local channels like ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, PBS, and others for free, which helped keep monthly costs down.

What Happens to Your Orby TV Equipment?

If you invested in Orby TV equipment, here’s what you should know:

1. Receivers: Your Orby TV receivers won’t work for satellite channels anymore, but if you have the DVR model, you might still be able to use it to watch and record over-the-air broadcast channels.

2. Satellite Dish & Antenna: The satellite dish itself is no longer useful for Orby TV service, but the outdoor antenna that came with it might still be working to receive local broadcast channels.

3. No Refunds: Unfortunately, since customers owned the equipment outright (rather than leasing it), refunds are unlikely to be available through the bankruptcy process.

ElevateTV: A Possible Successor?

There’s an interesting development that might interest former Orby TV customers. A service called ElevateTV has appeared that seems to have some similarities to Orby TV. According to their website (elevatebyorby.com), ElevateTV offers:

• Faith-based and family-friendly programming
• Satellite TV service with “no internet required”
• An on-screen guide showing both satellite and local channels
• Similar positioning as an affordable alternative

While ElevateTV appears to have some connection to Orby (notice the “by orby” in their domain name), it’s important to note that this is not the same company as the original Orby TV. ElevateTV seems to focus specifically on faith-based programming, which was not Orby TV’s primary focus.

I couldn’t find direct information about whether ElevateTV will honor any previous Orby TV equipment or accounts. If you’re interested, you might want to contact them directly through their website.

Alternative TV Services to Consider

Since you can’t pay your Orby TV bill anymore, here are some alternatives to consider:

1. Traditional Satellite TV

• DISH Network – Starts around $70/month
• DirecTV – Starts around $65/month

Both are more expensive than Orby TV was, but they offer more channels and have established track records.

2. Live TV Streaming Services

These internet-based alternatives don’t require satellite dishes:

• Sling TV – Starts at $35/month
• YouTube TV – $65/month for 85+ channels
• Hulu + Live TV – $70/month including Disney+ and ESPN+
• Philo – $25/month focusing on entertainment channels
• FuboTV – Starts at $70/month with sports focus

3. Free and Low-Cost Options

• HD Antenna – One-time purchase (around $30-$60) for free local channels
• Pluto TV – Free streaming service with ads
• Tubi – Free ad-supported streaming service
• Peacock – Has a free tier with limited content

What Made Orby TV Special?

Orby TV occupied a unique position in the market. At $40 a month, it was significantly cheaper than traditional satellite providers like DISH and DirecTV, whose packages typically start at $65-$70 per month.

Their business model was clever:

Traditional Satellite TV      Orby TV Approach----------------------      -----------------Include local channels      Use antenna for free local channelsMonthly equipment fees      One-time equipment purchaseLong-term contracts         No contracts requiredLots of add-on fees         Few additional fees

This approach resonated with budget-conscious consumers who wanted simplicity and affordability. The company’s tagline could have been “what you see is what you get” – a refreshing change from the complicated pricing structures of cable and satellite providers.

Why Did Orby TV Fail?

While the company never officially explained all the factors leading to their closure, industry experts point to several challenges:

• Competitive market with declining satellite TV subscribers overall
• Limited channel selection missing some popular networks
• No dedicated sports channels like ESPN
• Pandemic-related economic pressures on both the company and customers
• High cost of customer acquisition in a crowded market

The timing was also challenging – launching just before a global pandemic that disrupted supply chains and the economy.

How to Handle Your Final Orby TV Bill

If you still have an outstanding Orby TV bill from before their closure:

1. Check your records for any final bill or communication from Orby TV
2. Contact your credit card company if you had autopay set up to ensure no further charges
3. Keep documentation of any final payments made in case of billing disputes
4. Monitor your credit report to ensure no incorrect information appears

In bankruptcy proceedings, customer accounts typically get handled through the bankruptcy court, and you may have received official communication about this process.

Making the Most of Your Orby TV Equipment

If you still have your Orby TV equipment, here are some ways you might be able to repurpose it:

1. Use the antenna portion for free over-the-air channels
2. Repurpose the DVR (if you had one) for recording broadcast TV
3. Consider selling parts like the satellite dish mount if you don’t plan to switch to another satellite provider

Sadly, the proprietary nature of satellite equipment means many components won’t work with other services.

Lessons Learned from Orby TV

The rise and fall of Orby TV offers some valuable lessons for consumers:

• Be cautious about buying equipment for newer services without established track records
• Consider the financial stability of companies offering unusually low prices
• Keep backup entertainment options in case your primary service disappears
• Understand what parts of your service depend on the provider versus what works independently

Final Thoughts

The closure of Orby TV left many customers disappointed. Their approach to providing affordable TV service with transparent pricing was admirable, and many households appreciated the value they provided.

For those curious about ElevateTV, it might be worth investigating further to see if they could fill the void left by Orby TV, particularly if faith-based programming aligns with your viewing preferences.

The TV landscape continues to evolve rapidly, and while we lost one innovative player in Orby TV, the market continues to expand with new options for cost-conscious consumers.

Have you found a good replacement for Orby TV? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!