Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?
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.
10:31 PM
I cancelled my Sky subscription which came into action today. We have lost all channels apart from BBC1 ??? I thought we would be able to get the free channels thru the dish? Am I now going to have to buy roof aerial and wire up all rooms?? I thought I could continue using the sky dish and box without subscribing. You can imagine the fallout from the family!!! Especially Hubbie who is imagining big cost of getting free tv!!
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Kate: turn the box off for 30 seconds. Remove the viewing card. Power on. Wait for a minute. Put card back in. Enjoy free satellite...
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6:53 PM
Chatham
I have cancelled my Sky multiroom subscription in my spare room, still have my main TV subscription with Sky, why can I not receive the free to air HD Channels through my old SkyHD Box in my spare room
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Mike's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Mike: you only get BBC one HD, BBC two HD, ITV HD and channel 4 HD.
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8:33 PM
Chatham
Briantist
I am not getting any of the HD Channels ie free to air. BBC, ITV or Channel 4
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Mike's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
10:14 PM
Briantist: We have a Freeview TV and the new drama channel 20 will be OK when we perform autotune but the channel does not store on the TV. Consequently, we have to autotune again every time we want to watch it.
Help please
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11:22 PM
Tony O'Brien: Try carrying out a "first time installation" on your Freeview TV as this type of problem can happen if the tuners memory store system is on the verge of being overloaded.
First time installation on some brands being called "factory reset" or "default setting".
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Briantist: hi am now fed up with no more channels on freesat freeview keep adding channels but not freesat can u tell me why
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8:04 AM
leslie rainer: Briantist has repeatedly answered this question, the latest being yesterday 15th @ 09.47am as seen by opening the link.
Read this: Long Term Review: Samsung UE32 F6510 SmartHub TV | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice
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