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.
8:58 PM
Tracey
You would need a satellite distributions system to achieve what you want.
Have a look at Labgear HDU681/S Home Distribution Unit 8-Way | eBay to see what kind of unit would be required (there are other makes and specifications available) and note that you will need different wall plates that can accommodate the additional connections.
Hope that helps?
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9:57 AM
After subscribing for 5 years to sky I was under the illusion that the equipment was mine to keep - I was very upset to find that when I moved the equipment to my new home the sky viewing card was disabled when I asked to stop subscribing to sky rendering the equipment useless unless I pay a £25 fee to buy a freesat viewing card. I'm livid! I feel that Sky owe me for the cost of the equipment as its rendered completely useless without further costs:( How dare they - surely trading standards should investigate this as the original promise was to honour your right after a year to use the equipment for free channels - now they have stopped that promise I feel they owe me money.
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10:45 AM
Falmouth
All I can get at the moment is a message on screen saying no signal.is there a problem with the transmitter for my area TR11 (Falmouth)
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Sally's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
8:46 AM
Hiya we're with virginmedia at the moment and thinking about changing to sky,we currently have 3 boxes and would want the same with sky.if we pay our subscription for a year can we then cancel the multiroom but still use the boxes as a free view . We don't have any terrestrial arials?
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6:31 PM
We have a sky dish and watch through a sky box with a card, but only free channels so are not subscribers to sky - I bought a new box for freeview + so we can have HD and the ability to record etc. - but can't get a signal through the dish. Is there any way we can use the new box or do I have to try and return it and get a sky box.
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6:41 PM
Lindsay Peach: You require an aerial to watch from a Freeview Receiver, Lindsay.. Your options are to see if the supplier will swop out the box you have purchased for a Freesat recorder or alternatively connect to a tV aerial - you may already have one on your property - otherwise you would have to have one installed. If the latter is the case your best option would be tretrun your present box and go for the Freesat receiver which will work perfectly from your existing dish.
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Lindsay Peach:
just a bit of advice,
if you take back the receiver to change it for a freesat box, you should tell the shop you was sold the wrong thing as they will only accept the return of a box if it is faulty.
regards
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jamie's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
8:15 AM
I am moving to Paderborn Germany,
I have a Humax Freesat receiver, is it possible to receive uk tv to it thru internet or do I need a sat. dish?
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9:19 PM
D Clayton
To receive FreeSat, you need a dish. Whether it is available via the internet I cannot comment (my internet would be too slow anyway!). You may need a larger than normal dish as you could find that Paderborn is a little outisde the main target area, but it is worth asking a local satellite service shop in Paderborn what they recommend (I know some people there have managed to get FreeSat signals but not suire what equipment they use).
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8:32 PM
I currently have SKY. Just asking , if I stopped SKY could I get Free view and use the SKY ariel already installed or would I have to get a new ariel , either external or internal?
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