Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?
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.
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.
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Richard: BSkyB is a public company listed on the London Stock Market - British Sky Broadcasting Group plc: LON:BSY quotes & news - Google Finance .
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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 .
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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.
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lesnicol: Yes, that should probably have been addressed to Richard.
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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.
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Mike Dimmick: WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information is the PLC, WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information is the wholly owned limited company.
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For the hell of it (and a pound) I've ordered the most recent shares document.
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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
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For details of PLC shares, you can see on http://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/prices-and-markets/stocks/exchange-insight/trade-data.html?fourWayKey=GB0001411924GBGBXSET1 .
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