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.
5:20 PM
Hi,
Why are we getting weak signal on lots of Freeview stations such as Yesterday etc.
we are getting them every day ?
ITV
BBC
MORE 4
FILM 4
Etc.
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9:59 AM
Buckfastleigh
can i get hd signal from the buckfastlliegh sub station
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michael's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
10:50 AM
michael morrison: Yes! on Mux channel 44 with the aerial being mounted vertically, elements top to bottom.
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3:23 PM
Those channels Michael has referred to are also offered in pay tv packages in nother Eurpean markets.BBC and ITV are also shareholders in BSKYB and thus are involved in the exploitation of suscribers benefitting from charging rip off prices.
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5:20 PM
Richard - I am not sure that you are totally correct on this one. It's possible that ITV might be, but I rather think that the BBC's constitution as a Public Service Broadcaster would prohibit this. Unless the BBC's commercial undertaking BBC Worldwide does, but I doubt that as I understand that income here is re-generated back into the BBC's revenues as a whole, Briantist, will likely give a more accurate picture here than I have.
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6:15 PM
Iaccept your point les.BBC may benefit from its productions being included in basic package,various programmes ranging from comedy,crime,documentaries etc.
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Richard: Actually, it is BSkyB that owns part of ITV, not the other way around.
The BBC are certainly not shareholders in BSkyB, the BBC's programmes are broadcast free to air on satellite and the law puts and obligation on BSkyB to list the BBC's channels in their programme guide.
No subscription is required to watch BBC programmes, not ITV programmes, or those from Channel 4 or Channel 5.
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Richard: You may possibly be confusing BBC Worldwide's part ownership of UKTV, which has about ten channels.
These channels do not belong to Sky, UKTV has to pay Sky to have them included in the programme guide and makes income from the adverts shown on the channels (Dave, Yesterday, G.O.L.D etc). UKTV is not owned in any part by BSkyB.
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6:51 PM
Briantist: UKTV also gets some subscription revenue. All their channels are subscriber-only on satellite, they are not available on Freesat or Freesat-from-Sky.
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9:32 PM
I wrongly assumed that BSKYB included other British broadcasters in the company.Does anyone know who holds the 59% of the shares,News International holds 41% according to media reports.
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