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.
9:26 PM
Keith - You can't have the functionality without setting up a SKY subsciption package.
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9:37 PM
Thanks for the quick reply Les, I've read something about a one-off £20 payment to Sky, do you know if this is still available/relevant
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keith: It was never relevant. £20 just got you a card to view Sky 3, Fiver and Five USA.
If you want to pause/record/play, you need a Freesat+ or Freesat+HD box to replace the Sky+ box.
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3:15 PM
Why have the two small digital boxes I have bought frozen up. After connecting to my old TV in the bedroom, they work for a day or two and then they seem to freeze and won't allow me to do anything.
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1:59 PM
Wolverhampton
I live in a development of 28 terraced houses built 8 years ago. We have a communal aerial and satellite dish. With the aid of a small set top box, I can get a few digital channels already but don't know what will happen come switchover. Do we need to upgrade our aerial? We're getting conflicting info - one firm quoted us £6000 to change our aerial and all the wiring etc. Please don't blind me with science!
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janet's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
janet: If you use satellite, there is nothing to do, switchover happened in 2002.
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2:29 PM
Hi everybody..
Just to let you know I
am still reading ..Terry
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7:35 AM
i ended my sky subscription 16 month ago but have been able to still watch a lot of channels then last night when i put tv on it is saying please insert viewing card the card is inserted i cant even get channel 5
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