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.
Hi Les,
The only slight glitch is the epg on astra 2 which is only now & next, however on other satellites such as hellasat im getting a full 7 day epg .
Ive been informed that they are working on the astra 2 situation.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
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9:41 PM
Mark - I'm running the 6800HD motorised 36volt and Technomate VBox with a 1.5 Gibertini Dish and Inverto Black quad LNB - I had noticed the the issue with the EPG and like you say Hellasat does run the full 7day epg. Iam assuming your SKY card is an FSFS one?
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Hi Les,
Yes its a ex sky sub card. I do read & understand a little cyrilic so the hellasat epg is useful.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
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7:49 AM
Mark - As far as I can see most of the FTA beamed at Europe are 7day EPG featured.( I checked across most last night) It would certainly be an asset if this could be mahaged more fully.
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3:12 PM
hi - sorry to ask - i currently have Sky + Hd box -
i want to stop paying for Sky when we go digital in my area -
Am i correct in thinking - i need to buy a Free Sat + HD box and connect up ?
Do i need my Sky viewing card ?
Can you suggest a good make to buy ? and do i need to cancel sky 1st then connect up ?
Thanks
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Hi Anita,
You have to give sky a months notice, wait your month out, then buy a humax freesat+ box & then swap it with the sky box, you wont need the sky card any more, job done !
Mark Aberfan Aerials
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9:04 PM
Bristol
Hi,
I have bought a new tv which has got inbuilt Freeview HD card. The tv alone was not good enough, so I purchased a GreenTek indoor Antenna to get the 4 FreeviewHD channels available in my region. The Antenna recognised the HD channels along with the other 50 odd channels but to my dismay, it says "no signal" when I try to watch BBC HD. I live in a 1st Floor flat and just want to know how best to resolve this issue. Perhaps if someone could suggest a better Antenna. My current one is a UVR-AV215 model.
Many thanks.
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PB's: mapP's Freeview map terrainP's terrain plot wavesP's frequency data P's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Hi PB,
If you can get a proper external aerial, that would be by far your best option. Indoor aerials are not recommended by anyone in the trade, only by the people who sell them.
Mark Aberfan Aerials
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