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.
3:20 PM
Gareth: Pleased to have been of assistance, although I did forget to add that male connectors are used in practically all situations involving a connection into a piece equipment, female connector ends usually only found in cable couplers used for various purposes.
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12:20 PM
Hello, if i cancel my sky subscription would i have to pay the £175 to watch freesat from sky or do you get that automatically if you cancel your sky subscription.
Thank you
Stephen Rodway.
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3:40 PM
I have a flat screen tv with an integrated DVD player and freeview - if I have Sky plugged into this tv [at home] will it harm the freeview? I need to be able to take this tv to a care home on an irregular basis where I plug it in to their ariel to pick up freeview.
thanks
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4:49 PM
Sal: No! as you are only using the external connection sockets (scart or HDMi) which does not interfere in any way with the tuning menu.
The only thing you "might" require to do is to reselect DVB on the TV's remote control after having used the external connections, that is if Freeview doesn't appear after switching on.
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4:54 PM
Stephen Rodway: The Sky box automatically reverts to that mode and so you do not require to do anything.
Remember though, that should you be using a Sky+ box then the recording side of the box will be disabled by Sky at the same time as your access to Sky's dedicated package channels.
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1:38 PM
Thank you for your comments, that is great news - saves buying Mum a 2nd TV for respite.
cheers
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9:16 AM
I have a sat dish with one cable going to the tv in the lounge, I have got a tv for the kitchen , can I join a cable into the above one or do I have to take it from the dish (which is a long way from the kitchen .) ? I want to get freeview do I have to get another aeriel? I live in co. down N.Ireland
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8:23 PM
WILFRED SWAIN: If you are referring to actual Freeview and not Sky's "free to view" channels on satellite then you will require a normal aerial, as satellite and terrestrial systems are not compatible.
If though you just wanted to view the same channel as on your Sky box then you could run a normal coax from the Sky boxes RF1 socket to your kitchen TV's aerial socket, retune the TV whilst on analogue, and that will enable the programme on the Sky box to be viewed in the kitchen.
This said provided your Sky box is not an Amstrad DRX595 which does not have a modulator.
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7:46 AM
Hi
Just moved into a house that has a dish installed - previous owners had sky service. Just bought a new TV with Freeview and Freesat built in - can I get a sky box and connect that to the TV and use the box as a receiver(?) for Freesat ?? Would freeview be better quality or is that only through the external aerial??
Sorry for the ignorance but just left an area with cable and moved to a non cable area ... not good!!!
Cheers
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