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.
12:49 PM
I have a freeview HD ready HD LCD TV. I also have a sky+ box. Freeview HD isn't available in my area until 2012. Can i get BBC HD, BBC ONE HD, ITV HD and Channel 4 HD on my Sky+ box, or do i need to upgrade to a Sky HD+ box?
Also, i live in a small block of apartments, 6 in total, and the sky receiver is located in a cupboard in the hall way. The apartments were set up with a Sky aerial point, when they were built 6/7 years ago. However, to get the full functions of Sky+ the engineer who fitted it said he would need to run a cable from the receiver in the cupboard into our apartment. This would involve drilling a hold in our wall, and then trailing cable throughout the entire house!
Does anyone know of an easier option? Currently we have the pause function, but we can not watch tv and record a programme on another channel, or set up a 'record' feature, to record all the episodes of a tv series, etc.
Any advice would be really appreciated.
Thank you in advance!
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10:50 AM
i am thinking about cancelling my sky subscription, i have a box in my bedroom and a h.d box downstairs, what i would like to know is if i do cancel my subscription,will i lose all the cannels,if i buy a freesat box will it work with the sky receiver
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12:16 PM
siraj ulhaq,
most Asian channels are on Sky
on channel 780 and upwards,
but this needs a seperate subscription,
you will need to phone them up
or go to their website for their costs
and details, if you do not have a Sky card,
they will send one out to you
Virgin have less channels for £10 a month
on top of your subscription
Both carry the View Asia Package
see VIEWASIA - One Choice. More Variety! ViewAsia.tv
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4:21 PM
hi,
I am thinking of cancelling sky and just getting the ftv channels, I have a sky+ hd box, will i lose the ability to watch the free hd channels and the channel recording side of things? also if i get a freesat box can i connect it to the sky sat dish?
Thanks Andrew
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Natalie: You just need to swap the Sky+ box for a Sky+HD box, and pay the appropriately Sky monthly fee if you want channels other than BBC HD, BBC One HD and ITV1 HD.
The connections are the same, except you need to use an HDMI lead, rather than a SCART to connect the box to the TV.
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andrew: Yes, record/pause/play facilities stop the moment your subscription ends.
You still get the free to air HD channels.
If you want to record/pause/play, just swap the Sky+HD box for a Freesat+HD box.
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8:42 PM
briantist ref your answer can i use the sky dish for freesat or is it a new dish?
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9:39 PM
Hi,
I already have sky in our Lounge. Would I be able to buy a spare sky box and plug it into the sky cables we have in our bedroom and get freeview channels (without another sky card) I would only be watching the odd channel so don't really want multi room.
Therese x
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