Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?
Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV Yes, but only "sort of".
Freeview is the name of the (BBC-backed) digital TV system that uses hilltop transmitters to rooftop aerials. It is run separately from the "Sky" satellite-to-dish service.
free-to-VIEW is a term for satellite channels that need a viewing card to watch, but not to collect a subscription. free-to-AIR channels are ones that can be received without needing a viewing card or subscription.
The free-to-AIR satelite service backed by the BBC and ITV is called Freesat. The free-to-VIEW service operated by Sky is called fSfS or Freesat from Sky.
As long as you have finished your first year, you can leave Sky when you want.
To do this just give Sky a call and tell them you don't want to subscribe any more.
If you stop subscribing you will be able to watch the hundred or so free-to-air channels listed on free channels list. This service is called Freesat from Sky (fSfS).
Some of the channels on the Freeview service are subscription only on satellite, specifically: 4Music, Challenge, Dave, Dave ja vu, Quest, VIVA and Yesterday . See these links to compare the TV channels on Freesat-from-Sky and Freeview, and to compare radio stations on Freeview and fSfS. Many homes have free satellite and Freeview to get the full range of channels.
You will still need to keep your Sky viewing card. If you stop subscribing on a Sky contract, you can keep using that card to watch 5USA, 5* and PICK TV, the so-called "free-to-view" channels. (All ITV channels are free-to-air).
It is not possible to plug an aerial into a Sky Digibox to receive Freeview channels because the boxes have not been designed this way.
You will continue to get the full Sky EPG listings; you just will not be able to watch subscription channels.
If you want to go for High Definition, HD, you can swap out your Sky box for a Freesat one very easily.
A card is not needed to watch BBC services, but it is needed to get the correct BBC ONE and BBC TWO regions on 101 and 102.
Another option is to disconnect your Sky Digibox altogether and Upgrade from Sky to Freesat - ukfree.tv. If you have an HD-Ready TV and a standard Sky box, this is a good option.
8:25 PM
I have freeview on my tv. i subscribe to sky can i cancel sky and still watch freeview using sat dish
| link to this comment |
9:12 PM
lou: Well its not exactly Freeview that you watch as that term is associated with the main terrestrial service via a normal aerial, but yes! you will still be able to view any programme channel that is not one of Sky's dedicated package channels.
You can of course check on what you will be able to view by simply removing your card and running through the programme guide list, Sony TV (157) being one of the few that although free requires the card to be inserted as its encrypted.
| link to this comment |
1:48 PM
Hello. I am wishing to leave sky but have both televisions fed of two boxes. One is a normal sky box and the other a hd box. All the cables are concealed and are from when the sky was professionally installed. I still want to be able to record programmes and appreciate I will on leaving sky not be able ask sky dedicated channels. However, can I simply by a different recording box and just plug it in without having to alter the dish or existing cables. Your advice would be appreciated. And if so, what box do you suggest ?
| link to this comment |
Phil: You can use any free-to-air box (such as Freesat) and you can do this without adjusting the dish because for Freesat and Sky the dish is 100% identical.
As with Sky, if you have a recorder you will need two feeds from the dish in order to be able to watch one channel whilst recording another.
| link to this comment |
11:37 AM
Hi is it possible to use Irish sky box in a different country?
| link to this comment |
3:35 PM
i canceled my contract with sky and they are taking the box back as i only had it for two weeks they are leaving the dish will i be able to buy a sky box from ebay and connect it to my sky dish to watch freeview channels
| link to this comment |
3:47 PM
janice: Yes, or you can even consider purchasing a Freesat box as the dish is 100% compatible with both systems.
Please note though, that if the box you have been using is a Sky+ type then should you purchase a second hand same you will not be able to use the recording side of it as the card has to be paired to the box, and of course Sky will have cancelled the card as far as anything dedicated to Sky is concerned.
| link to this comment |
janice: "Freeview" is the brand name of the terrestrial system in the UK. You will be able to view free-to-air channels. To find out which these are now I guess you can remove the viewing card.
Freesat has more channels and will work with the dish. If you purchase a Freesat recorder then, like with Sky+, you will need two feeds from the dish.
Sky controls the recording function of Sky+ boxes. A subscription is required for the dubious privilege of using the recording facility on one's own box.
| link to this comment |
12:33 PM
thank you Dave for your comments very informative
| link to this comment |
12:16 PM
hi how can i get sport channels without contract with sky,has a sky box from a friend with which i can watch all free channels just want the sport channels
| link to this comment |