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.
12:14 AM
Bridgend
I've just moved into a new house and the aerial didn't work for my old digibox for some reason. The previous tennents had sky and there was a dish left on the house. My mate gave me an old sky box and a card to put in it and it worked great. I had loads of channels for about 2 hours then it told me I had to subscribe? I was left with the BBC's and ITV's etc. Any ideas why this as happened? I've not had sky before so I'm new to all this. Cheers. The aerial is on the roof and post code is CF31 1JS.
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Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
Mark Lewis: Do Method (3) on the What can my do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fault'? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page. Don't put the card back in.
Or, get a Freesat box, they start at £30.
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installed my dish and put a signal meter on turned on sky box my meter lit up and i tuned in for a good signal turned on signal test on tv and nothing it keeps searching but nothing happens.
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7:51 PM
Briantist,switch I purchased is satisfactory considering that all equipment installed by me is old and obtained from recycling centres and skips.One dish looks as if it was used for target practise in a shooting range as I had to drill 4 extra holes in it to fit a supporting bracket.Freesat signals are excellent.The other dish is distorted around the rim but signals from Astra 19.2 are excellent.The receiver I use is a siolvercrest.
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8:36 PM
Hexham
I retuned the Freeview system earlier in the evening. The aerial is mounted on the chimney.
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Donald's: mapD's Freeview map terrainD's terrain plot wavesD's frequency data D's Freeview Detailed Coverage
8:20 PM
Hi,
We have just been given a bog standard sky box, not sky+ or hd. We already had a dish up so we just plugged it in and there was a few channels working but the box doesn't have a card. Would it be worth purchasing a card to view the free channels or would it be pointless? Not sure where I would get one though, don't fancy ringing up sky to subscribe.
Thank you
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11:54 AM
People are paying too much for subscription tv in Britain and Ireland. I have seen ads on French and Spanish channels offering Canal+ for 25 euros a month.Package consist of top keague football,films aqnd documentaries.No basic must be purchased to get this premium package.
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