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.
11:32 PM
In Ireland premier league football is shown in pubs every Saturday from overseas broadcasters.A full list of matches is placed in the windows of such premises stating details of all games sometimes every night.Some pubs have 3 tvs showing different games.None have commentary in English.Sky never got a licence to broadcast into Southern Ireland.They act as if they were a national company.60 million euro in advertising is taken out of the Irish economy every year by Sky.
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12:54 PM
Michael,you need to contact a consumer programme on radio or tv. Watchdog on BBC 1 should be back on in the Autumn.All queries re excessive charges by Sky to British suscribers compared to Sky charges in other European markets should be directed to this programme.In Ireland I have seen piracy of Sky premium channels on cable tv systems in towns and in house in hotels.
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6:03 PM
Excellent i admire piracy in this case.
I would love to be able to pirate a Sky Box and anyone that does it has my total admiration after what i see this company charging!
Over £1000 per year for a householder to watch TV is rediculous. Much worse for pubs.
Rupert Murdoch is an old man - what is he going to do with all his power and money when he departs from the world - just like everyone else.
If it was me i would be out there helping people
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7:47 PM
Michael - whilst your post has my support I don't think there has been as yet a final decision made by the Europen Court as to the case put by the Southampton publican who has challenged her conviction and fines imposed by the British courts.
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7:49 AM
Terence, the fight was broadcast Free to Air by RTL on the Astra satellite at 19degrees South East, although with German commentary.
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1:06 PM
Well said Terrance.
Les Nichol - I never realised there was not a final decision by Europe - But you can bet your life it will be all in favour of BskyB!
There was a case of a Landlord in Wales fined by F.A.C.T on behalf of BskyB and others.
The publican Magazine complained to Europe ages ago
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3:10 PM
Michael - The E.U. Solicitor General earlier offered legal opinion on this matter presenting her views to th E.U.Judges to give a final ruling on. I believe this is likely to be decided at the latest by November this year. It was the opinion of the Solicitor General that there should be no restrictions throughout Member States. The case as presented by the Southampton Publican in choosing to seek to take and pay for access to an alternative satellite TV service from another EU provider other than SKY was in her view a legitimate one.
Apparently in the past the E.U. Judges have sought to ratify on such recommendations. However like other examples in the E.U. decision making process, it seems that it doesn't take much for less apparent financial incentives to influence decision making and perhaps "News International" will provide a sweetner that will be difficult for even the most principled of the legal fraternity to refuse !!!
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7:20 PM
Several years ago I wrote to the relevamnt department in Dublin requeting details of licencing and regulation of BSKYB who had been targeting the Irish market for sales of their products.There is no recors of any parlimentry debate regardding their entry into the Irish market.I have received neither a reply or an acknowledgement of my request.So if they are goin g to plunder and distort our market we have the right to do the same with their products.Get licensed and regulated and pay vat to the Irish Government BSKYB and do the decent honourable thing.Pay the vat on the 600,00 subscriptions to the Irish Government,we are tired of being exploited.
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4:22 PM
Hi Richard,
I also wrote to the Irish Government about BskyB overcharging and i received a reply from think a Minister Ryan - but nothing was ever done about it!
I also sent the same to the UK and Manx Government. No one will do anything to address it.
BskyB should not be allowed to be doing this!
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4:32 PM
I just received this as i went back into my email about a Rupert Murdoch Petition - i have just signed it if anyone is interested.
Avaaz - Last hours to stop Murdoch's UK media takeover
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