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.
9:17 PM
York
Ah! but I have just subscribed to a year with BT!!! Are there any fittings I can get to change the sky cable end to fit my aerial sockett, I have the double sky cable if that makes sense?
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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. You need to use an AERIAL NOT A DISH. Changing the ends will not change what the other end of the cable is attached to.
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11:48 AM
Can the BT Vision service pick up the free view HD channels?
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8:48 PM
I`m coming to the end of a 12 month contract with Sky and wish to cancel to save myself some money, i would like to keep HD channels and the record pause and rewind functions and have considered buying a freeview hd recorder but im not sure if i can connect my Sky dish it. Any advise?
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9:17 AM
I currently run a standard Sky box and wish to upgrade to a Sky Plus box. However rather than pay the full Sky price/installation charge I plan to purchase a second hand plus box and carry out the install requirements (LNB and add. satellite feed) myself. My question is: Will I be able to use my existing Sky box viewing card in the second hand Sky plus card? If so, do I need to inform Sky and or do I have to order a new viewing card ? - if so how much do Sky charge?
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2:50 PM
Michael R: I'm not certain, but you should be OK to keep using the existing viewing card. As far as I'm aware the card isn't actually paired with the box, instead the box's functionality is enabled by the card.
Sky do have the ability to disable recording and time-shifting on a box, if you stop paying the subscription, so it's worth checking first. You should be able to test recording by only connecting up the existing single feed, before installing a second feed. This only comes into play if you're recording from a different transponder than you're watching, or recording two channels on different transponders.
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1:14 PM
Hi does anyone know if the astra 2 sat will ever have aproper 7 day epg? thanks
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stevo: Yes, Freesat has a full 7 day EPG. Sky also operate a full 7 day EPG.
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