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.
12:47 AM
Hi there,
Any help is appreciated.
i have a dish cable to the flat i recently moved in. Question is If i simply get a freesat box and connect it to the dish cable , am i able to watch the channels ?
Unfortunately there's no aerial cable so i can't use freeview box .
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Dario: Yes, just plug a Freesat or Freesat HD box in. Takes a few minutes. See All free-to-watch channels | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice for the list of channels.
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Moco: Right, Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant is your only transmitter.
I'm afraid you won't get any more channels, and the situation will certainly not "will get upgraded, eventually".
This is a public service transmitter, and the commercial operators declined to operate from any of them. So, they will never carry the services you want.
I suggest you phone back BT and point this out to them and ask them why they are providing you with incorrect information.
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8:35 AM
Oswestry
Briantist
Thank you very much indeed.
Frustrating. But I'm not prepared to pay for Sky and the horrid dish that goes with it, nor move nearer to a decent mast, so I shall have to stick with what I've got.
BT Vision, while limited to the 18 channels, does at least mean I can record things and pause things, so it's just about worth it.
I know that, in the public interest, I ought to continue to talk to BT about their 'training' issues. I've already raised a couple of other issues where I've been given duff information. But, frankly, I've had enough for the time being. Moving house and getting this far has proved interesting, to say the least.
I'm old school, bash the tele to stop the black and white lines wobbling type of thing, so am grateful for a definitive answer here.
Many thanks
Moco
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Moco's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Moco: As you don't seem to like the idea of a satellite dish, then I'm not going to suggest you get Freesat HD (or Freesat+HD) to get more channels then.
You do appreciate you can place them out of view - Householder guide to satellite dishes | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
Yes, calling back BT is probably not going to achieve anything useful for you.
Anyway, glad to have helped.
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10:24 AM
Newtown
I have a sky dish to 2 televisions in downstairs rooms, and would like to have freesat in an upstairs room can the dish be used for this and what would I need, I also have a high grade arial in the attic with old coaxil, only get bbc channels and would like ITV..... thanks
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Jen's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
10:32 AM
Newtown
Forgot to give postcode SY164DA .....
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Jen's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
11:46 AM
Oswestry
OK. Continued thanks.
I have had a quick look and am, of course, boggled by it all.
Before I consult the troops about this freesat idea, please could you just explain something terribly simple to me.
If I get the freesat, does that stop me getting BT Vision?
It seems to get E4, which has been called for in this house, although still no cricket. I shall have to remain with Radio 4 and the team on there.
Off to look at link re hidden satellites....
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Moco's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Moco: Yes, you can have BT Vision and Freesat, there is no problem with that. Freesat does have E4, and Radio 5 Live Sports Extra for the cricket.
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Jen Bolter: Yes, you can use the dish. There should be at least one spare output on the quad-LNB package (unless you have to Sky+ boxes).
All you need is a Freesat box and a run of satellite-grade coaxial cable.
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