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.
Terry: A little. When you say "sky dish", are you implying that the satellite dish was working with a Sky Digibox?
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9:03 PM
my aplogies
yes it was previously working with a skybox in another room, and was also working with a seperate free to air box in yet another room
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Terry: This would suggest your "new" receiver is broken, I would have thought.
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9:19 PM
Hi we have just got a segam freesat box and it has been working ok, but tonight it says there is no signal from our ex sky dish. does sky cut the signal when you un subscribe from them....? Anna
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9:38 PM
Hi
I am thinking of cancelling sky (mainly because its costing me an arm and a leg)
I currently have skyHD in my lounge and a multiroom package with a standard sky+ box in my kitchen. The sky+ box can also be operated from the tv in my bedroom by using a wired TVLink. Kids and missus still happy whilst I'm watching Sky Sports on the settee !
Heres my intentions:
Swap my skyHD box for a Freesat + HD Recorder box (probably a Humax Foxsat) and swap my sky+ box for a freesat SD box (I know I will lose my ability to pause, rewind and record but its to expensive for 2no. HD boxes)
Questions:
Will it be straight forward enough to swap the boxes myself?
Will my multiroom still work by connecting the freesat SD box to the existing cables ?
I will miss my Sky Sports but I need to save the pennies.
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Anna: No, Sky can't "cut the signal" when you stop subscribing. The satellite, over the equator over the DR Congo, provides signal to the whole of Europe!
Please can you power off, disconnect and reconnect the satellite feed from the box. Check the cable is in good order.
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deano 32: "Will it be straight forward enough to swap the boxes myself? "
Yes, see Upgrading from Sky to Freesat
| ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice - it takes five minutes.
"Will my multiroom still work by connecting the freesat SD box to the existing cables ? "
Multiroom refers to Sky's subscription policy - you don't need it with Freesat.
However, you won't have the "RF link". The thing to do here is to use the satellite link you have abandoned by not having Sky+ and use that for a basic (£30) Freesat box for the bedroom.
This would be a cheaper and more flexiable option than buying an "RF modulator".
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10:14 AM
hi,
i have sky hd in my lounge, sky multiroom in sons bedroom and a lapsed multiroom in my bedroom..i want to keep my main sky hd in the lounge and the multiroom in sons bedroom. with the lapsed multiroom i only get a few programmes ..i do not have an outside ariel as hubby dismantled it when we got sky fitted years ago, if i buy a freesat box , a basic one.ans swap it with my old sky box will that allow me all the freesat programmes, i still have my old sky viewing card for that box..the chap from sky was telling me about a one of payment i would have to make to get freesat ( not to sky)..all i want is basic functions, i,m not bothered about rewind, pause or recording facilities ! thanks xx
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