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.
5:19 PM
Dump the Sky Boxs and get a free sat Reciever cheapest is from Argos a Bush at £29.99 I have three folks using them all working ok has UK EPG but can add extra channels if needed. Just plug in the Sky dish it is looking at Astra 2 so will need no further adjustments
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8:00 AM
I have a Freeview or Freesat aerial installed through the Government age scheme and wish to have a another lead from back wall to downstairs lounge. How many leads, and, or boxes can you run off one dish.
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Colin MK: You can connect as many connections as you have outputs for.
A single LNB has one output, a quad-LNB has four and an oct-LNB has eight.
You can change the LNB to provide the output, a quad-LNB is about £25, such as Buy Quad Output Universal LNB at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Free to air satellite.
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10:00 AM
I'm about to cancel my Sky+ HD with Sky.
Buy I just buy this: Buy Sagemcom RTI90-320 T2 Freeview HD 320GB Digital TV Recorder at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Freesat digital TV recorders.
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Plug it in, and it will work?
I want Freeview, with HD and recordable features.
Thanks
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11:51 AM
I have a Sky+ box with a blue viewing card. I currently & will continue to watch free to view channels via Freeview which is built into my TV. I am considering subscribing to Premier Sports & using my Sky+ box solely for this purpose (therefore I don't need any other free to view channels activating on the Sky+ box). Is it possible to continue using the blue viewing card & subscribe to Premier Sports, or do I need to also purchase a white Sky viewing card?
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12:20 PM
Steven: Free*view* requires an aerial rather than a dish. Since you already have a dish, you could consider Free*sat*, which would be a drop-in replacement for the Sky+ box. However, the channel line-up is a bit different to Freeview: see the comparison at https://ukfree.tv/allchannels.php .
If you want Freeview, through an aerial, it depends on your location. If you provide a postcode we can look into it. (RG47SH)
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12:50 PM
Thanks Mike,
I also have an outdoor aerial (as well as a dish from Sky), so I have both, so I presume this puts me in a good position to choose anything I wanted?
Thanks,
Steve.
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12:57 PM
A neighbour's tree is blocking my Sky reception. I have Sky HD and Sky+. Where can I go to get a comparable service? There are no cable services on my estate.
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Steven: Just to add to Mike Dimmick's reply, you can replace the Sky+HD box directly with Freesat+HD - such as Buy Bush 250GB Freesat HD Digital TV Recorder at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Freesat digital TV recorders.
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8:58 PM
Hi, I am a novice, have 4 channels at the moment don't want any contract, have a communial aerial, just bought a digital t.v.. Where do I go from here.
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