menuMENU    UK Free TV logo Help!

 

 

Click to see updates

Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?

Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?

Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Free
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.



All questions
BBC Three Linear channel re-opens1
Removing all barriers to communication between diverse cultures2
How do I get a test card with Freeview3
What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fau4
Can I receive UK TV in Ghana?5
In this section
Can I use my ex-contract sky digital satellite receiver to get Freeview channels1
What can I do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fau2
I have a Panasonic TV with integrated Freeview how can I record Freeview channel3
My Sky box has a "no signal message" - what do I do?4
How do I change the RF output channel on a Sky Digibox?5
I have split the signal from my satellite dish and now nothing works.6

Comments
Tuesday, 2 August 2011
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:39 AM

Mike Dimmick: UKTV only get a discount on SSSL subscription services, they do not get income from the arrangement. Only non-Sky channels with "premium" subscription arrangements (such as ESPN, Disney) actually get income from the subscription.
This is because the broadcasters are subsidizing the "free dish and box offer", and this was OKed by the courts, as you may recall from when "Rapture TV" took SSSL to court.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:47 AM

Richard: BSkyB is a public company listed on the London Stock Market - British Sky Broadcasting Group plc: LON:BSY quotes & news - Google Finance .

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

6:48 AM

lesnicol: More about BSkyB's ownership of part of ITV - Sky takes GBP251.5m loss on ITV shares | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
lesnicol
sentiment_satisfiedGold

7:51 AM

Brian- Thanks, I was aware of the minority shareholding by BSKYB in ITV and the history of attempts to block Virgin by increasing their stake and having to subsequently dispose of the additional shareholding.

link to this comment
lesnicol's 991 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

7:54 AM

lesnicol: Yes, that should probably have been addressed to Richard.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
M
Mike Dimmick
sentiment_very_satisfiedPlatinum

4:47 PM

Richard: You can probably get a list of major holdings via Companies House as I believe they are required to report. Go to WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information and search for British Sky Broadcasting.

link to this comment
Mike Dimmick's 2,486 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:26 PM

Mike Dimmick: WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information is the PLC, WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information is the wholly owned limited company.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:31 PM

For the hell of it (and a pound) I've ordered the most recent shares document.

link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Briantist
sentiment_very_satisfiedOwner

5:39 PM

BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING LTD - 02906991

5001002 ORDINARY SHARES held as at 22/9/2010
BRITISH SKY BROADCASTING GROUP PLC

5001000 ORDINARY SHARED held as at 22/9/2010
BSKYB INVESTMENTS LIMITED


link to this comment
Briantist's 38,915 posts GB flag
Select more comments

Your comment please
Please post a question, answer or commentUK Free TV is here to help people. If you are rude or disrespectful all of your posts will be deleted and you will be banned.







Privacy policy: UK Free Privacy policy.