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.
E.Lynn- The fact you only receive analogue channels 1-4 suggests you receive terrestrial signals from a relay. If this is the case, you may not receive terrestrial digital signals until DSO.
Input your postcode at the top of the page to check.
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David: Why not relocate the dish? See Householder guide to satellite dishes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice for possible locations.
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Steven: Put your postcode into the box at the top right to check the services you can receive on Freeview.
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9:14 AM
The picture pixulates on the BBC channels since the final changeover on Freeview.
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12:32 PM
Relay station half channels! I live in Beer, Devon and as we are in a small valley our television signal are relayed to us from the main Stockland Hill transpitter just outside Honiton to a small relay on the hill above Beer. The trouble is this small relay can only relay 50% of the Freeveiw chanels and no DAB radio. When are the authorities concerned going to upgrade the relay stations or do we all have to wait for fibre optic, not all channels are available on Freesat.
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D Wangford: If you have any boosters or amplifiers, disconnect them from your system.
If you don't, you might have to fit an attenuator to your system.
Also, see Single frequency interference | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
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Ian Rangeley: Basically, they are not going to add any more services to the transmitter.
The commercial multiplex operators do not wish to transmit from any such transmitters and they are under no obligation to do so.
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6:48 PM
Hello.
Don't know if anyone here can advise, but....
I have an old tele in an old house in rural Wales - a long way from a decent transmitter.
I have an outside aeriel on the roof and have recently had BT Vision installed. It works well, (I can do all the recording and stuff, but I only get 18 channels and not 43 and 44 on which, I understand, Sky Sports 1 and 2 exist.
I have purchased a Sky Sports 1 and 2 card and, before I send it back, have been trying to see if there's any way of boosting the signal. But, the technology is beyond me.
Please can anyone advise me about boosters and things. I think there's one that goes outside by the aeriel, but am not sure whether it is worth trying one out?
Many thanks
Moco
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Moco: The answer is more than likey "no", but I can't be sure without the full postcode.
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10:06 PM
Oswestry
Hey ho. I thought it might be, but I'd still be glad to know for definite. So, it's SY10 0NU.
In the meantime, helpful BT person tells me things will get upgraded, eventually.
But not in time for the Cricket World Cup or the Ashes. Bother!
Thank you for responding.
Moco
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Moco's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage