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.
6:45 PM
Sheena:
Freesat boxes can be purchased from your local electronic retail company and are not expensive. Wiring from the dish will not be that expensive either. An installer may have to do this for you.
If you want to try and get your Freeview channels back, try an automatic retune, see this My Freeview box has no EPG, is blank on FIVE, ITV3, ITV4, ITV2+1, has no sound or the channel line up is wrong | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice (OL37EA)
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10:39 PM
I noticed ads on German tv channels for pay tv owned by sky Deutchland (same logo as sky UK).Monthly subscription for HD,basic and 3 premium packages is 60 euro,(£50. Price of all packages in ROI including HD is 91 euro monthly.50% more and no dubbing or subtitling required.Anoher example of the huge rip off that sky is getting away with.
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Richard: Sky Deutchland isn't doing that well by all accounts, because there is quite a lot of competition in the German TV market.
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8:55 PM
I remember Premiere,the pay tv German group went bust in the 90s after losing millions.BSKYB must have bought it for a song.Its obvious that charges are geared towards what the markets will bear.Britain and Irelaqnd must be regarded as a soft touch by BSKYB,hence the extortionate charges for their product.I watched the Champions league final on German channel Sat Eins, the commentator stated that it was squeaky bum time for Man Utd as their overpaid underperforming stars played like a Blue Square team.
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2:25 AM
Hi, im thinking of not using my Sky+HD anymore. how can i connect the (LNB using two core cable for Sky), (to a single core cable for freesat) at the back of the tv..??
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7:59 PM
I have niticed that another sky operation is doing business in Italy using the sky uk logo.I intend to get information re prices and packages on offer.I will have to turn dish to pick up hotbird signals as most free to air Italian satellite channels use Hotbird 13 east.I doubt if it is as expensive as SKY UK.
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Richard: You mean Sky.it - News, video e la TV di Sky ?
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11:29 AM
and make a freeveew canell called liam news and do it
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