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.
5:36 PM
Hi i 'm moving into in a tower block of flats with communal satelite dish on roof with sat 1 sat 2 connections in flat
please does anyone know is sky tv and freesat the only things that can be connected to a communal satelite dish, ive been lookung online and read about both,ive only ever had freeview tv so don't really have a clue,and prvious owner of flat was elderly lady and she wasnt sure, ive seen things like now tv advertised so just wanted a bit of advice if possible many thanks
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5:57 PM
justin gill:
Only satellite receivers can be connected to a communal satelite system. I'm surpised that there isn't a communal terrestrial aerial system feeding all the flats, that is the norm unless the location cannot receive any terrestrial signals at all. Check with your landlord whether there is such a system fitted and where the aerial outlet socket (coaxial socket) is in your flat.
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7:06 PM
justin gill: Now TV is an internet streaming service that enables you to view programmes from various channels and catchup providers either using an app available on some LG and Samsung smart TV models, media players (e.g. Roku, Amazon Fire TV/Firestick/Apple TV, Google Chromecast, etc), games consoles, mobile/PC apps, or a set top box (the latest Now TV box also has a DVB-T2 tuner which can be connected to an aerial to receive SD & HD Freeview channels via the same box).
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1:46 PM
Good NO need to be an ASS, I'm NOT one, My sky sat is costing me an arm and leg I'm an American, living in France, After my wife pass , I use UK Sat, I'm retired , its cost is killing me, I still have the card . I need a more cost less way watch the TV. in ENGLISH THANKS Carl
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1:13 PM
Carl Hodson:
Please do not use bad language.
You may be able to view some UK channels via their websites if your TV is a 'smart' type and you have an internet connection that is reasonably fast. Alternatively, you could try using a satellite receiver. Do you have a dish that was used to receive Sky signals? Do you have a Sky box and a valid card? If so you can use the Sky box to watch many of the Freesat channels (mostly the same as Freeview). To an extent it depends on where in France you are located. Watching Freeview or Freesat is free of charge once your equipment was purchased and set up correctly. You do not have to watch Sky services at all so do not need to pay their subscription charges.
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Hi want to get rid of my sky as we cannot afford it any more as my husband who pays for it had become ill and us off work, but we do have an LG smart TV Inthe bedroom , just wondering do we still need a free view box or can we still use the sky box to help , thank you
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10:20 AM
Angela Baldassari: The LG smart TV will have a built in Freeview tuner which will need to be connected to an aerial, it will not work with your Sky dish (unless it also has a satellite tuner). Your Sky box will continue to receive all of the free to air (FTA) channels after your subscription ends, although you will no longer be able to record or play back any previous recordings.
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4:44 PM
Steve: Actually, LG's often do have freeview and freesat tuners - check the model or simply look on the back, to see if there is a F fitting. If so, then yes, you can use a dish, and aerial, or both. But of course, the usual exceptions apply!
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10:58 AM
MikeB and StevensOnln1:
Our LG TV has both Freeview and sataellite capabilities, despite the fact that LG say it does not have a Freesat tuner. In fact it does have a satellite tuner but because it does not acknowledge the Freesat channel ordering they say it does not have Freesat. The reality is that it can receive all the Freesat signals from the Astra satellites, but it does not put them in the channel listings in the order Freesat want so you have to go searching for the wanted programmes. They are there, just not in the order shown in the TV programme listing magazines/newspapers.
That is the norm for LG sets currently.
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9:50 PM
MikeP: About the time you got your TV, I remember mentioning to an LG rep that the TV had an F fitting, which was a great feature. He replied that they didnt like to mention it, for reasons I never quite figured out. However, they are certainly Freesat compliant these days, and do mention it.
Freesat has crept back in since Freeview HD came with digital switchover, although Sony still only have generic ones, and they are far fewer models than before. But an averge decent Samsung 4K set should have one, and like high level Panasonics, even two.
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