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.
8:39 PM
Thanks Briantist I am wondering who those faceless people are who tolerate a member as Chairman whose company News International is a disgrace to journalism.Of course politicans and police were used in their pursuit of control of print and broadcast media.The little people such as a Portsmouth pub landlord are expected to toe the line and pay their extortionate prices regardless of turnover after working all the hours that God sends.
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Richard: It is probably worth pointing out that the chair of BSkyB has always been a NewsCorp representative, ever since BSkyB Plc was created from the "merger" of BSB and Sky Television.
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12:21 PM
Thanks Briantist it is good to know that News Intrnational have not managed to obtain this position.
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Richard: News International is wholly owned by NewsCorp and runs newspapers in the UK. It has no direct relationship with BSkyB.
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9:24 PM
Thanks Briantist.Heres a question for you.Which ITV region always had more viewers outside its franchise area?
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Richard: HTV West always used to have a considerable number of viewers in Wales, because Mendip was a powerful transmitter.
HTV Wales was always watched by people on the north Devon coast, who could not get WestCountry.
TTTV had many "should be YTV" viewers because of the 1969 Emley Moor mast collapse.
Not sure what the official position is today...
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1:34 PM
Not the answer I had in mind.Utv in northern Ireland used to have twice as many viewers in Southern Ireland.This audience was acknowledged by companies from both parts of Ireland targeting this audience.Also competitions are poen to Southern viewers.Southwest coast of Scotland receives transmissions from Divis transmitter.
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U: I wasn't sure if you were asking in percentage or absolute terms...
UTV has 2.46% of ITV's homes, compared with 18.42% for London, 11.62% for Granada, 10.94% for Central West, 10.09% for Yorkshire.
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8:01 PM
Okay Briantist I accept your point.Heres another question.The longest cable used to relay tv signals for use on a cable tv system was supposed to be, where?This claim was made by a company in the mid 1980s.Where in Europe was this cable in use?
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8:33 PM
I stopped my sky subscription some time ago but still use the sky box and dish to receive most free channels however, I cannot get itv or channel 5? How do I rectify this? any advice or help would be most welcome as the missus is addicted to Coronation Street nad I am not!
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