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.
12:31 PM
I have virginV+box can i recive freesat if i plug a satellite dish cable into it .
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john: No, you can't use a V+ box with anything other than a cable connection (and subscription).
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11:25 AM
Hi sir i am a satellite technition i need some informetion a f n recever channging New satellite that satellite which satellite and give me frequancy and some informetion i am Ali from Kuwait
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2:27 PM
As well as Rupert Murdoch's Phone hacking scandal they now want to investigate why BskyB is blocking many commercial TV companies from broadcasting for free.
Unless you pay a fortune and have a plastic card - you can't watch most of the channels.
OFCOM are a waste of time and should be disbanded along with the so called competitions commission - they are useless
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12:43 PM
I have just sent this email to TCM
Turner Movies to all their email addresses world wide New Zealand, Australia, France, Germany, Spain, USA, The Press Office, ASia and the UK that reads as follows:
EMAIL :
Dear Sir,
Can you please explain to me why i have to pay over £300 per year to Rupert Murdoch's BskyB organisation to watch:
Channel 317 TCM
Channel 318 TCM2
Channel 601 Cartoon Network
Channel 602 CNN2
Channel 603 Boomerang
Why do you allow this organisation to encrypt your channels whilst you receive revenue from advertising?
There are millions of ordinary families in the UK that are affected by this?
Your Company has allowed this to continue for many years and it is time that you addressed it!
These channels should be free to view!
Regards,
Michael
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Michael: Yes, I agree, Ofcom should investigate why SSSL's contracts have a "no free transmissions" requirement in them. It's clearly a restrictive practice.
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6:55 PM
Here is a copy of OFCOM's Email to myself. regarding BskyB not allowing free channels to broadcast on Satellite unless you pay them around £300 per year
(I will leave his name out)
I write with reference to your most recent correspondence regarding Sky TV.
I understand that you have received responses from a number of Ofcom representatives outlining our position on the matter. Whilst we have noted your objection and most recent comments, you do not appear to raise any further issues.
Yours sincerely
I wrote back the following:
Since i last wrote i have changed my computer because of a major failure so i lost the correspondence regarding OFCOMS position with BskyB.
The point is BskyB are stopping free to view chanels from broadcasting on their platform.
UKTV wrote to me to say that channels such Dave etc were free on freeview but they could not broadcast free on Sky and that it was not their fault?
Why is OFCOM allowing BskyB to get away with it?
This is just as corrupt as the phone hacking scandal!
They are holding both the UK public and the Pub licenceing trade to ransome!
The pub licencing trade had to take the case to Europe because OFCOM are failing to address these issues!
Many pubs have to connect to Sky via Italian Sky because of these prices set by BskyB in the UK?
I can't understand why you are being paid by the UK Taxpayers to regulate the likes of this and do absolutely nothing about it?
Why are people being overcharged - some subscriptions top over £1000 per year to an ordinary householder.
Sky charge to record programs via their satellite boxes.
It is rediculous
Regards,
Michael
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10:46 AM
I was abroad in Europe for a week.Irish pubs have Sky Sports,Sky will be pleased to know that the pint glass does appear on the screen,meaning that the domestic rate is being paid.Many non Irish premises also have Sky Sports at the domestic rate.Two Rangers fans oin holiday were so anxious to see Rangers v Hearts game last Saturday that they did so in an Irish pub. They were treated to the tradional Irish hospitaly and told that they would always be welcome.
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