A wired satellite radio receiver only broadcasts preview channels when which condition occurs?

A wired satellite radio receiver will only broadcast preview channels when the service has not yet been activated by the customer. This is a standard procedure in satellite radio services. When a new subscriber purchases a satellite radio receiver, the service must be activated to access the full range of channels, including premium content and specialty programming. Until the activation takes place, the subscriber is generally provided with a limited selection of preview channels to allow them to experience the service briefly before committing to a subscription.

The other situations presented, such as low battery, a disconnected antenna, or a malfunctioning receiver, do not dictate the conditions under which preview channels are available. A low battery may affect performance but does not specifically limit channel availability to preview only. If the antenna is disconnected, the receiver may not receive any signal, thus not displaying any channels at all, including preview channels. Similarly, a malfunctioning receiver might either display no channels or experience erratic performance, rather than solely limiting itself to preview channels. Therefore, the activation status is the critical factor that governs access to available programming on satellite radio receivers.