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.
12:08 PM
Thanks Dave. Seems like a bit of patience might be the answer. Fingers crossed.
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9:18 PM
My question is, I am using a sky plus box and dish that I installed myself with a sky card.
( I removed it from a rental property of mine where somebody else was paying for it untill they moved out.)
It worked perfectly for a week. i was receiving all the free to air channels bbc,channel4, rte etc and then on the screen it displayed a message saying that a subscription is needed to view the channels.
Is there anything i can do to rectify this and get back the free to air channels.
Thanks
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9:52 AM
Hi
I do apologise is someone has already asked this or it covered somewhere!
But I recently helped my mum upgrade sky+ to have broadband too, they wouldn't upgrade her old white sky+ box even though she has been with sky from since it began, without HD package being included or charging nearly £300!!HD package is pointless as her tv is not HD!
As she likes to record a lot and wants anytime+ which you can't have without HD+ box, is it possible for me to but her a second hand HD+ box and just swap over?? Do I need to get sky to upgrade anything their end??
Thanks in advance
Gem
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11:12 PM
My sky box is now saying I have the wrong card to watch Liverpool FC TV - does anyone know the reason why ?
Thanks.
John
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5:00 PM
if u want free sky channels with out going to other channels to get them pluu the card out
turn the sky box off
plug the plug from the box
hold down the back up button keep it down plug the lead in waite for the box to upgrade
let the backup button go let it up grade
mow u have all free sky channels
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8:48 PM
Just a thank you for giving comprehensible concise advice. I required to retrieve all the channels on my laptop after digital change over. There is a setting on my laptop "scan for more", which I used and obtained all but a few channels. After visiting several sites and thinking I had to buy a wideband aerial I found yours. I immediately understood that I had to delete all settings and start the scan from blank. Thank you once again
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Geegee: Thank you for your kind comments. It is very gratifying to hear that you have found a cost-free solution to getting all your channels.
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10:50 PM
I have just purchased a Panasonic tv with freesat. I have an old sky box no longer subscribed but only receive limited channels with it. How do I maximise the available freesat channels from my dish from the tv freesat. The straight connection from the sat cable to the tv tells me there is no signal. By the way i can get limited channels thought the normal aries rooftop connection.
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1:40 PM
Stephen: Get a Freesat Box connect to existing connection from the dish.
Start tuning the box to automatic tune.
Get Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and many uk channels approx 90 channels.
No magic required.
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11:36 AM
I have a Sky+ HD Box, and im paying Sky £22.50 a month. I have just pohned Sky and Cancelled my Subscription, this will take effect from 26/05/12.
1)... After this date, then will I still be able to Watch FreeSat through my Sky+Box?
2)... Will I still be able to Record Programs/Series using the Sky+Box?
Many Thanks
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