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.
1:54 PM
I want the best of all worlds. I want to rid myself of sky and all other costs.
I simply want a free view or whatever recommended box that I can watch as much free to as possible that I can record when I want and can be plugged into an existing sky dish OR an existing tv aerial. We move about a lot. Can anyone recommend a suitable box as I have not got a clue trying to sift thro all the technical.
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6:05 PM
Michael: Sky dish systems are 100% compatible for use with Freesat receivers, if however your Sky box is a Sky+ model (two inputs from dish) then any twin tuner Freesat recorder can be used, although in the interests of reliability I would advise you to look along the Humax range of boxes.
If though your Sky box is not of the Sky+ variety? then your dish will most likely be fitted with an old single output LNB, this will require updating to a quad 4 output model and with a second cable run from same to where the box is sited, although if the coax has been in use for a number of years? its best to scrap it and run a new twin coax lead, known by the name of shotgun cable.
By the way, quad output LNB's can be purchased for around 10.00 or so from a number of e-bay sources, likewise shotgun type satellite cable.
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5:42 PM
Re: jb38
Why a quad LNB and not a dual LNB?
One signal to watch live TV and the second one to record from at the same time.
If you share your dish with your neighbours, then use a quid one.
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7:19 PM
Mark A: Yes, a dual LNB would be suffice for Michael's immediate requirements, but though my reason for recommending a quad LNB was purely because the price difference between it and the older twin output type is only around 1.00 or so, and the sheer convenience / advantage of having two extra ports as spares outweighs the fractional difference in price between the two.
The advantage referred to being, (1): as a back up against any possible failures of one of the two ports on the standard twin output block, or (2): providing an input for any other satellite devices that may be purchased in the future.
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Hi, we cancelled our sky contract yesterday as it was becoming too expensive,we have 2 TVs both with a sky box so we were paying the extra 12 a month for "multi room" so now we have 31 days left & i want to know if it's going to be possible to watch freeview on both by keeping the sky boxes with the cards in & will we be able to pause, rewind, & record?
We are switching our broadband & phone line to BT & they are offering Tv for an extra 6 a month but we have been told these are only "freeview" channels & we don't need to subscribe to Bt either for Tv
We're confused & would welcome any answers
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12:59 PM
Eileen: You will continue to receive the free to air satellite channels (which includes most of the channels available on Freeview) via your Sky boxes, however the ability to pause, rewind and record requires an active Sky subscription to function. BT's TV package combines Freeview received via an aerial with a selection of subscription channels (depending on which packages you choose) which are listed at the following link:
TV Packages & Deals | BT
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Hi Steve,
Thanks for your reply, so as we don't have a normal TV aerial, we would need to purchase one form BT which they can do along with a BT engineer to fit it will cost 60, is that worth doing & would we then be able to pause & rewind?
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2:15 PM
Eileen: I highly doubt that a BT engineer would install a TV aerial for you. You will be able to pause and record if you take one of BT's Youview+ boxes.
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Thanks again Steve,
BT informed me yesterday that to go with them for TV we would need an outside aerial & that they would send an engineer out who would install & aerial for 60???
I think i need to call them again & make sure us & them know what we're talking about!!!
But your comments are helpfull
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9:26 PM
Eileen: A quick google shows that BT ('partnered with TSG'!) does install aerials
About the Aerial installation service from Total Support Group (TSG) | Help | BT.com Help
and if they are going to do it for 60 pounds, thats actually a very good deal. If it all goes wrong, then you can at least complain to BT (OK, I've had dealings with BT, so dont get your hopes up), and at least there seems to be a years 'parts' warrenty.
Since it sounds like you've only got a dish at present (which you can carry on using with Freesat), a new aerial would give you a lot of flexibility, since all TV's now should have Freeview installed as standard. The BT box will work in much the same way as a Sky one does, and will allow you to get Iplayer, etc.
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