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.
8:17 PM
Lisa: If you are using two standard Sky boxes then the two leads coming from the dish is perfectly sufficient, as each box only requires one feed. You should try swapping the two boxes over and see if the problem also swaps positions, because if it does the box is defective, if though it doesnt, then this indicates a problem with that connection, such as water having entered the "F" connector on the LNB on the end of the dish arm, or the cable being damaged somewhere, or if neither it could be a faulty outlet port on the LNB.
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12:52 PM
Why can a person not use a sky box to record the Freeview channels on Sky after they stop subscribing? They cannot even view the programs they already have on a sky box prior to subscribing? How do they control the functions that allow you to record? Another question, how was it in the past you could buy pirate cards that lasted 6 months or a year and yet they cannot make them any more? Do they still refer to Sky TV blocking channels as scrambling? Why is TV Encore being blocked by sky T and who can you not watch Dave etc when they are free to view?
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10:56 PM
Michael
The Sky Conditional Access system allows them to control what your box, normally supplied 'free' by Sky, can display. The record and playback functions are also controlled via that system so they turn such features off when your subscription ceases. You can, I understand, pay extra to keep usage of the previously recorded programmes for a time. You should check on the Sky website for more information.
The Sky Viewing Card determines which regional variations you can receive within the 'normal' progtramme number range, out of area services often being placed in the 800+ programme number range.
The term 'scrambling' was widely used and still is by some to describe the effects of the Conditional Access system, but the actuall operation differs with the digitally encoded signals compared to the analogue ones. Those often looked like a jumbled set of lines that did allow a partial sighting of the content if you studied it very closely. With digital encoding and CA you don't see anything unless your box is authorised to display it.
The 'pirate' cards that used to allow viewing of Sky services were not only illegal but Sky took firm legal action against the sellers/providers of such - they guard their service and revenue stream very carefully.
Not sure why you are unable to watch Dave, my Sky +HD box does show it and I enjoy some of the programmes. I know that some programme channels are not available if you do not subscribe to a particular viewing package. We don't have access to the Sky Movies, Sky Sports, etc as we just don't watch them enough to warrant the extra expense. What you are able to view does depend on your chosen Sky package.
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10:31 PM
hi, I've been using a Sky box as Freesat with no problems. However I've tried to change the box to Sky+ HD but it says "29 no satellite signal is being received". Can anyone tell me why this is? Can you use the Sky+ HD box without Sky subscription? Thanks
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11:07 PM
Lisa: Yes, but it will only act like a standard box, as the recording and playback side of the box is inoperative unless a subscription is in force, Sky having cancelled the codes necessary for that side of the box to operate.
The other point being, that you only require one of the two leads from the dish to be connected into the LNB1 input, as LNB2 is mainly used for recording, which of course you are unable to do. Also, and although not really being necessary, but its advisable to got into the boxes set up menu concerned with the LNB and select "single input operation" as this on most boxes stops the error 29 warning from appearing.
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7:20 PM
I am located in Sweden, using a 80 cm satellite dish, but am only able to view some freesat channels (such as Sky news, CBS reality, RT, etc) on the Astra 28 satellite, but am not able to see any of the UK BBC, ITV, C4 and C5 channels. The sat receiver was set up in the UK and functioned as described receiving all channels.
The channels appear to have been tuned but only with ca 30% signal strength so do I need a larger dish? Or is there something else I need to configure (I have no internet connection to indicate that I am NOT located in the UK.
Many thanks
Jon Stockholm
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8:34 PM
Jon:
The pattern of the transmission beam from the satellites means that coverage for your area is severely limited. here the receiver was 'set up' initially is not relevant, but how much signal is being received by your dish/LNB is very significant. Too little means you will not be able to view the weaker signals. Clearly the current beams being used for transmission of BBC etc are not aimed at reception in your area. All you can do is either employ a much larger dish, if legal, or find another way of watching the programme services you want. Bear in mind that recpetion of UK servies is not guaranteed outside of the UK.
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5:16 PM
Can someone explain why ITV Encore on Satellite Channel 123 is being blocked by Sky TV in that you have to subscribe to Sky TV in order to receive it?
This channel should be free?
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9:00 PM
I had sky multiroom disconnected but continue paying for normal sky. Can I use the old multiroom cables from the dish to get free view and how would I do it. I have a spare sky box.
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9:41 PM
Neal : Not Freewviw, but Freesat would be fine. Look at the pages about Freesat. A single box starts from around £50 (although that will have ondemand as well), and a Humax PVR (like Sky HD) is about 170 notes. But its a one off payment.
As long as you've got a spare LNB, you can put a box on it.
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