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.
1:04 PM
London
My daughter has just moved into a rented house there is no outside aerial just a sky dish. They cant afford to pay for sky so are they able to buy a freesat box and just plug it in. There is currently no signal in the sitting room although she can get a weak signal using a indoor aerial in her bedroom.
Many thanks
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heather's: mapH's Freeview map terrainH's terrain plot wavesH's frequency data H's Freeview Detailed Coverage
heather: Yes, you can just plug a Freesat box into the satellite point.
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1:17 PM
London
Thanks Brian for that advice can I also ask ( as you can see Im a complete novice at this)will any freeview box do or does it have to be hd. I dont know if their tv is hd ready would that make a difference?
Thanks
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heather's: mapH's Freeview map terrainH's terrain plot wavesH's frequency data H's Freeview Detailed Coverage
heather: Not a FreeVIEW box of any sort, but a FreeSAT box. The Freesat HD boxes are slightly more expensive, and you can watch the HD channels on a SD TV if you want.
Freesat (non HD) boxes start at £30.
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10:15 PM
Briantist has the info I require.I wrotr previously about an installation I did using recycled equipment to receive freesat tv.I recently installed another dish to receive signals from Astra 19.2 which works very well.How can I combine cables from both dishes so that I do not have to change cables every time I switch choice of satellite I wish to view programmes on. Tonight I watched Man Utd v Schalke 04 on German channel Sat Eins.
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12:09 AM
Richard: You need to find out if your TV or box can do DiSEqC signals. If so, you can buy a DiSEqC switch that automatically switches between the dishes when instructed by the box.
There are also manual switches available, but - like any device inserted in-line - they do reduce the signal level a bit.
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10:11 PM
Thanks Mike and Briantist for your prompt response.My tv box can do DiSEqC signals.
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8:58 PM
Thanks,Briantist I got a suitable DiSEqC switch for 20 euros today.
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