Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?
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.
mark: Please see Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
Freeview uses an aerial and is 100% of satellite. I can't say if you get Freeview without a full postcode.
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8:42 PM
Sowerby Bridge
julie north: trouble with freeview is u cannot get horror channel cos it is a sky commercialy funde dchannel booooo!
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peter's: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
peter b mitchell: Sorry, but you are factually incorrect. The Horror Channel (and +1) is a Freesat channel, and you don't have to pay Sky a single penny to watch it. Horror Channel | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
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1:44 AM
Hi - Visited your site for the first time - browsing for answers re: switching from Sky subscription to a freesat alternative.
Must admit I was really hoping for a quick/easy at-a-glance kind of comparison of what you get with each.
Any chance of this?
Thanks
K
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2:25 AM
I have forgotten. I have a Sky Remote Control for a standard sky box. It is the REV 8 version. How do you use Autosearch so that the remote control can scan for the right code to operate an unidentified TV make?
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Michael: Please see Sky TV | Sky remote control help .
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7:14 PM
York
Hi I have just got a BTvision+ box (not HD+) after having a Sky+ box (again not HD+)I read here that you can just unplug the sky+ and replace it with the freeview+ box, I tried this today but on the BTvision+ boix there are no points for the sky plugs! is therte anythig I can do?
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henrydog's: mapH's Freeview map terrainH's terrain plot wavesH's frequency data H's Freeview Detailed Coverage
henrydog: No, not at all. You can replace a Sky+ or Sky+HD box with a FreeSAT+ box.
BT Vision is Freeview, which uses an aerial not a dish.
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