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.
11:46 PM
Briantist
is it possible to over ride the sky+ digibox to use it as a normal HDD recorder like the Humax Foxsat+ i have in my living room.
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12:12 PM
Helen: If you plug either of the two dish feeds that originally plugged into the Sky box directly into the back of your Panasonic TV, you should be good to go with FreeSat - this is what I do with my dual service Panasonic, and it works fine with all the normal and HD channels available. You can leave the other connection free to plug into some other device in the future
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3:04 PM
To stop Rupert Murdochs bid for Sky Sign here
End Murdoch's Criminal Empire
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12:49 AM
I manually tuned in RTE1 and RTE2 and it comes up with a list of Programs what's on now and next. Is there away of receiving these channels. I am not sure why they don't come through - but the text seems to work?
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1:00 PM
SKY have done a deal with rte so that suscribers in Ireland North and South can only receive satellite reception of Irish tv channels by suscribing to a sky basic package. Other Irish tv channels are included also TV3,TG4 and 3e.TG4 is a mixture of Gaelic and English.Satellite reception of Irish tv in commercial premises abroad generates huge business.A domestic subscripton of 300 euro covers 12 months.
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4:06 PM
I had no Idea that Sky were connected with RTE - no wonder i can't receive them.
Charging the Irish people 300 Euros is rediculous
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4:09 PM
ps, love the posting by Helen - She wants a medal for that - well said
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4:59 PM
RTE coverage of Champions League and international football is blocked to Sky suscribers in Northern Ireland.Also some American tv producers insisted that some of their programmes be blocked.RTE is cash straped and could never afford to broadcast via satellite. Sky saw a huge marketing opportunity in providing same.No details about the deal other than it was a win win deal for both parties according to a Sky spokesman.Sky also facilitated private company TV3which also owns 3e.TV3 does not have good terrestial coverage due to cost.
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6:35 PM
Here is a cheerful link from Avaaz. I admire these people - at least they get out there and fight BskyB instead of being ripped off by them! See: http://www.avaaz.org/en/murdoch_campaign_report/ People in the UK and Ireland should not have to pay these rediculous subscriptions - nor should the pub licenceing trade. People are addicted to TV and sadly these prices are adding to people's debts!
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