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.
george cran: Yes, you can buy Freesat and Freesat HD boxes from all high street outlets.
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9:57 PM
Skelmersdale
Hi, I do not have an eternal aerial as I have had sky for years. I am now thinking of cancelling sky but want multi room tv via freesat or something similar.... will i need an external aerial to do this or will new boxes work with the sky dish.. or is there a better way of achieving free channels in multi rooms without an external aerial in a poor reception area. Please help?
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tina's: mapT's Freeview map terrainT's terrain plot wavesT's frequency data T's Freeview Detailed Coverage
6:16 AM
i have just moved house but have no tv ariel into the bedroom. I do have a sky cable from the dish but no sky box. Can i plug it directly into my tv which has freeview hd already built in?
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kevin ward: No, you can't connect a dish to Freeview. You will need a FreeSAT HD box, which you can get from any high street electrical retailer.
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tina: You can connect as many Freesat boxes to your dish as you like.
You will need a suitable "quad-LNB" (they are £20) for the dish to provide enough outputs - if you don't already have one.
You just then need to connect each Freesat box to the LNB outputs on the dish using a satellite-grade cable.
You will be then able to watch any channel on any box.
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7:29 AM
kevin ward - No a Freeview TV or stand-alone receiver requires an external aerial. You can buy yourself either an SD or HD "Freesat" receiver and connect to the SKY dish. These are available from Argos, John Lewis, Comet Curry's, independent radio and TV retailers and Online.
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1:40 PM
Tain
Hi
I am cancelling my Sky+HD subscription and March 4th 2011 should be about the cut off date. I have multiroom in one room. I know I will no longer be able to record/rewind/pause etc, but will I still be able to watch the 'free' channels on both sets in both rooms? I'm not quite clear on that and Sky weren't too helpful with that either.
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Ste's: mapS's Freeview map terrainS's terrain plot wavesS's frequency data S's Freeview Detailed Coverage
3:10 PM
Hi Ste
I recently did the same. I have an HD box in one room and another Sky plus box in another, after cancelling my subscription I could still recieve all of the free channels, including HD. I have since re-subscribed after being offered everything half price for 12 months.
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3:22 PM
I forgot to mention, I could recieve the free channels in both rooms, but could not record reweind or pause on either box.
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Ste: Yes, you get "Freesat from Sky", the channels are listed on the All free-to-watch channels | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page.
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