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.
2:45 PM
i have cancelled my sky subsciption it finishes on march 31 i have asky+ hd box will i still recieve non subscription channels or just a blue screen.
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4:56 PM
Bourne End
ann: The only programme channels affected by cancelling your subscription are those dedicated to a Sky package, you can test this out for yourself by removing the viewing card and running through the programmes that you normally view, any dedicated to a package will trigger a "please insert card" message,
The other thing that should be pointed out being, that you will lose the ability to record or playback anything recorded on the hard drive, as Sky will disable access to this side of the box.
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jb38's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
6:34 PM
jeannette: You can leave the Sky box as it is. Just because your contract ends, it doesn't mean the box stops working - only that you cannot record, access what you've recorded and the channels available will be rather more limited.
The BT box is a rebadged Humax PVR, and works via Freeview, so they work entirely seperately.
If your DVD Player is only a player - then no, thats impossible (thats what the BT box will do). If you have an old style DVD recorder, then possibly. It will need either a Freeview tuner built into it (and connected to the aerial) or could be used via the Sky box (connected via a scart) and uses the Sky box as a sort of digibox. Unless you really need something on disc, I wouldn't bother.
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9:14 PM
8 have cancelled my sky but I have no ariel will I be able to connect a freeview + box to my sky dish and use that as my ariel
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11:18 PM
Dawn Quinn :
No.
A dish is only used to receive signals from a satellite and cannot be used for any other purpose as that is all it is designed to do. Freeview is a ground-based service so you need an aerial connected to your TV or set top box to get their programmes. The aerial needs to be suitable for your local transmitter so we could advise better if we knew roughtly where you live by giving a post code (or that of a nearby shop or post office). Note that there is no such thing as a 'digital' aerial, all aerials for domestic TV reception are suitable for current signals providing you observe the grouping and polarity setting - your aerial installer will be able to advise. We usually suggest using a log-periodic aerial as that is most likely to be usable for any forthcoming changes over the next 5 years or maybe more. (BTW, 'ariel' is the name of a type face style!)
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12:35 AM
Dawn Quinn : In addition to the advice given by MikeP. Freesat devices are 100% compatible with Sky dish systems, a basic reliable Freesat box such as a Manhattan PlazaHD-S2 (£44.00 from J/Lewis) being an ideal replacement for a standard Sky box, or if you require the same facilities as that offered by a Sky+, or Sky+HD box, then a Freesat PVR (recorder) would be the device to go after, a popular brand with a reputation for reliability being manufactured by "Humax", although Manhattan also has a recording version of the Plaza called a HDR-S, (£129.00 JL).
A point to note being, that standard Freesat boxes in common with standard Sky boxes only requires a single input from the dish, whereas Freesat PVR's in common with Sky+ devices require twin inputs, i.e: one for each tuner.
That said, you will of course still be able to view Sky's non subscription channels even after you have cancelled the contract with Sky, that is "if" your box is still fully operational and has not developed a fault.
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1:01 AM
Hey there ,
I am currently a sky customer with the full package and a white sky box - I have no aerial and would like to watch TV in my bedroom - could you advise what are my choices ( Ideally would like to be able to pause, rewind and record and use catch up TV but the catch up isn't vital ).
Many thanks for your help , Dawn Johnston.
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7:53 PM
As a BT customer I can watch BT Sport channels through my Sky box for which I have a subscription. If I stop my Sky subscription will I still receive the BT Sport channels??
Could I watch BT Sport through a Freesat box if I chose to replace my Sky box??
thanks
John
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9:50 PM
John P: If you have the BT service, as far as I'm aware, you can still watch it online, us the app, etc. As far as other boxes are concerned, I suspect the only other way your going to get it is using a BT PVR (which is basically a Humax). Of course that is Freeview, not Freesat.
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2:37 PM
Hi. I have had Sky now for 15 years and have 2 HD Boxes on "Multi Room". I am very disillusioned with the fact that Sky keeps upping the cost of sport (merely it seems to add to the £250,000 per week the Premier league footballers get !) and SkyGo (access by other PC's) keeps on going wrong.
So, I would like to cancel SkyTV and have their Freeview card. I understand that this costs £20 per card (Why?) but please could you clarify if I do this - can I use the existing Sky HD boxes and do I need a card for each ? Would I need to retain multiroom (£10 per month) ? Is it true that Sky then disable some functions from their boxes (e.g record).
Overall, I'm trying to decide if it is best to dump SKYTV completely and buy new Freesat equipment or simply make do with the Sky equipment I have. Could you help please
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