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.
4:20 PM
My daughter wants freesat with broadband and talk.How does she go about it? She has a dish plus sky+ box
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Roger: Please see Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice . You can get your broadband and phone from whoever you like.
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6:46 PM
HI, i have been using my sat box as a freesat from sky box since canceling, and last week (almost exactly 1 year from canceling) it has scrambled all the channels! does this sound right? All the previously watchable channels just show green and yellow scramble, but you can still hear the sound!
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Daniel Spreadbury: Please try the three things on the What can my do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fault'? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page. Your box should work forever.
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9:43 PM
hi, i have just upgraded to sky hd, i still have my old sky+ box, is there anyway i can use this in another room just to watch the programmes that were recorded on it?
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carol: You will need to pay for a Multiroom subscription to Sky to allow your box to do that.
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3:25 PM
Guildford
Hi just bought a Humax HDR-FOX T2 to go with my HD ready telly. Freeview channels loaded fine automatically but no HD channels. Have I omitted something or is there no HD reception in my area yet?
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Alison's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Alison: If you aerial points at the Guildford transmitter, you get Freeview HD next year. If you use the Crystal Palace transmitter, you will have Freeview HD today.
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11:12 AM
Hi I was give a sky box but i dont have existing sky subscription. However in my flat there is a existing satellite socket, there is a common satellite shared dish.
I just want to know, whether i could plug the skybox to the satellite connection to get freeview channel?
Thanks
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