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.
9:10 PM
Lynn Forbes: Yes, too much info can sometimes prove to be a bad thing! but many thanks for the kind comments anyway.
The company you have ordered from are extremely helpful people, and especially so if you have purchased from them, but should you have any further queries don't hesitate to ask on this site.
Regards / jb.
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7:38 AM
Jeanne: We are having a new TV set which has built in Freeview. At present we have a SKY dish but no Freeview ariel. I am thinking of having SKY+HD.
But I'm also wondering about Freeview HD.
Can you advise what I should do.
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8:30 AM
Jack: If you no longer subscribe to Sky and don't particularly want to, then you might have been better purchasing a new TV with Freesat HD "built in", (not HD ready which doesn't!) as the Sky dish would plug directly into it with no modifications being necessary.
As it is though, you will obviously have to get a suitable aerial installed for your new TV, and which by what you say doesn't appear to be of an HD built in type, this meaning if you wanted Freeview HD it would have to be done via a separate HD box.
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11:52 PM
Hi, I have SKY and am currently a subscriber, i want to stop subscribing and use my dish to receive free sat channels. Can i get the hundred or so FREE channels using my SKY box, once i have stopped subscribing, or do i need to buy a free sat receiver box?
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Amy: As it says at the top of the page, just stop subscribing.
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10:21 PM
Hi
I currently have a sky box and dish but pay no subscription, the previous owners left the box which I view tv through. I want to buy a tv recorder but not sure what type would be best and would it work connected to sky box?
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3:18 PM
HI
I have just cancelled my Sky subscription and I am using my sky hd box for freestat viewing but not able to record or pause with my handset How can I attivate my handset
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3:49 PM
Hi richard you carnt use the record without a subscription thats just how it is you will need a freesat + box
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10:23 PM
I was a sky TV subscrber, but due to spiralling costs I have stopped my sky subscriptions, and I have now got a Freeview box instead, with ESPN.
My TV does sometimes not record the programme that I am watching and stops and starts (possiblely due to bad weather.) or do I need to get a new ariel fitted, or can I connect my freeview box to my ols sky satellite dissh ?
I have also got a DVD player linked up to my freeview box and then onto my TV, can I record on my DVD, it is NOT a digital one.
Many thanks for your help Keith
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