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.
Pearce: Your signal is probably too strong - if you have a booster or amplifier remove it from your system. If you don't you may have to fit an attenuator, which cost about a fiver.
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10:31 AM
Hi all
I have retuned my freeview HD box yesterday 7th
Sept, ok but still no HD channels as yet, will they return on the second retune later this month?
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10:51 AM
allen: You haven't said where you are. The high-power HD services start at the second stage of switch-over, on the 21st. They are transmitted from all relay transmitters as well as main ones, and have equivalent coverage areas to the SD versions of BBC channels and ITV1/C4/C5.
There are 'early' HD services in the Birmingham area, from the Lichfield mast rather than Sutton Coldfield, and also from the Emley Moor tower in west Yorkshire, which have been running since the middle of last year. I believe these have restricted coverage compared to the other multiplexes, and they're on lower power.
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11:12 AM
Pearce: At that postcode, the recommended transmitter is Emley Moor, which is south of Huddersfield - though this is the same direction as Holmfirth.
It's possible that signals from the Belmont transmitter, to your east, are strong enough to be picked up even though the aerial points the other way. Check if there are more reliable versions around channel 800 in the channel list; if so, see Digital Region Overlap.
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12:07 PM
Dudley
yes mike, I am in Dudley west mids, my transmitter is Sutton Coldfield.
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allen's: mapA's Freeview map terrainA's terrain plot wavesA's frequency data A's Freeview Detailed Coverage
7:55 PM
Hi, we have an old sky satellite dish which has been disconnected for several years, were looking into upgrading to a freesat box and hdtv, can I simply connect the satellite dish to the freesat box and watch all channels automatically? do I need to test whether it still works or will i need to adjust the angle to pick up the best signal?? I'm completely new to this, thanks for your help!!
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10:33 AM
can I receive freeview and still use my sky plus hd box if I cancel sky? Will I have to pay sky anything? I live in Chichester, west sussex.
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11:34 AM
What channels will I receive with a standard Sky box with no card in it? Thanks, Mack, Hudds
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10:40 AM
We have a sky box and dish which is connected to 3 rooms . If I buy a secondhand sky box and just connect to my freeview tv in the back bedroom, will it pick up freeview channels. The freeview on its own with digital ariel picks up random chanels which vary daily.
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