Methods and apparatus are provided for issuing instructions to a satellite antenna configured to receive a transmission from any of a group of satellites and to provide a signal to a receiver. In accordance with one embodiment, the receiver is queried (e.g., by a control module, which in one embodiment is a device equipped with a microprocessor and memory storing instructions defining the query) to determine information relating to a channel selected by a user. Based on the information, a determination is made whether the antenna should receive a transmission from a satellite other than a currently selected satellite. If so, the antenna is instructed (e.g., by the control module) to locate the other satellite. In another embodiment, methods and apparatus are provided for use in systems having multiple receivers, including one master receiver coupled to the antenna and one or more other slave receivers which do not issue instructions to the antenna. In accordance with this embodiment, a determination is made whether a user of a slave receiver has selected a channel provided by a transmission from a satellite other than a currently selected satellite, and if so, the antenna is caused (e.g., by a control module coupled to the slave receiver) to locate the other satellite.