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.
Therese: Yes, but you will need a spare output on the dish. You will have a "quad LNB" (four outputs) if you have Sky+, but otherwise you will need to fit a quad-LNB.
You just need a Freesat or Freesat HD box, no card is required for these boxes.
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12:37 AM
hi i just moved house have my sky box with viewing card is it possible to get the free channels without subscribing to sky again thanks
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katie: Yes, you will get the free channels if you don't subscribe. Or you can use Freesat, Freesat+ or Freesat+HD if you want instead.
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8:10 AM
HI
I thought if you already had a Sky+ HD box and want to use just free sat channels, you can still pay sky the £10 per month to use the sky+ functions (record etc). Am I wrong on that one.
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Lance: Yes, you can pay £120 a year for that. Or you can get a Freesat+HD box and never pay again.
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2:08 PM
I have Sky multiroom, Sky in one room and Sky+ in the other.
I have had both for several years.
Neither box was provided free from Sky but purchased from a private installer.
I am an elderly widow and I cannot afford to keep up my sky subscription.
From reading previous posts,can I please check the following -
If I stop my sky subscription but still want the option of all or most of the channels I have now, do I need to buy a Freeview or Freesat box?
If yes, what happens to my viewing ie which channels will I not be able to view?
Do I also need to keep my Sky boxes and cards?
Will I still be able to re-wind, pause live tv etc?
Sorry to be a bit dim. Please can you keep any answers simple, please?
Many thanks
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Parsnip: OK, here goes.
"If I stop my sky subscription but still want the option of all or most of the channels I have now, do I need to buy a Freeview or Freesat box? "
You don't need to buy anything if you just want to watch the free channels. Just stop paying Sky.
"If yes, what happens to my viewing ie which channels will I not be able to view? "
See All free-to-watch channels | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice under "fSfS" (Freesat from Sky).
"Do I also need to keep my Sky boxes and cards? "
Yes, the expired cards provide the Sky3, Fiver and Five USA and correct BBC and ITV regions.
"Will I still be able to re-wind, pause live tv etc? "
This is where you would need to replace the Sky+ box with a Freesat+ box, because without a subscription a Sky+ box will not play/pause/record.
Changing a Sky+ box for a Freesat+ box is a five minute job.
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3:39 PM
Briantist, thank you so much for your speedy reply.
Another daft question - If I go ahead and buy a Freesat+ box, is there a way I can still watch channels which aren't free to view eg Sky sports?
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parsnip: No, you have to pay Sky to watch premium channels.
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4:25 PM
Thank you Brian
Daft, dafter, daftest question -
Can I pay Sky to watch the Premium channels without having a monthly Sky subscription?
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