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.
8:52 AM
Staines
Bob H: jb38. thanks for that response, the indications are on the Humax box, I dumped my old Sky box some years ago. Watched BBC HD last night and it appears to be OK, no pixilating no breakup. Will now go ahead and wire up all the others.
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Bob's: mapB's Freeview map terrainB's terrain plot wavesB's frequency data B's Freeview Detailed Coverage
3:29 PM
I have cancelled my Sky subscription but want the ability to record programs.I've bought a freeview set top recorder but appear to only have a signal from my dish to my sky box - I do not appear to have a normal aerial connection available - I cannot therefore set up my freeview box as it appears to require an aerial input. How can I get around this please.
Any advice appreciated.
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4:34 PM
Paddy: You would have been better off purchasing a Freesat PVR, as that would have coupled straight onto the "F" connector that was used by the Sky box, although if the PVR was of the more usual twin tuner type you would require two feeds from the dish.
However as things are at present then you have no option but to have a normal aerial fitted, as there is no way around your problem unless you are located not too far away from the transmitter whereby you might get away with an indoor (same room) type aerial, albeit they are not recommended for digital reception.
Knowing your location (pref: post code) would enable an assessment to be made of your expected signal level, and from where.
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7:50 PM
Hi - I wish to stay with Sky but save myself £10.25 pcm and cancel my HD subsciption. Will I still be able to watch standard definition programmes through the Sky+HD Box on my HD ready TV?
Thank You
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DJP: Yes, and you can also watch the free-to-air HD channels such as BBC One HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD and Channel 4 HD.
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8:31 PM
Hi, I have always used the RF cable from my sky+ box to a second TV with analogue signal, however i have recently bought a new digital LG tv as 2nd tv BUT cannot find an analogue channel to tune sky in as it appears just full of digital channels. There is no option on any menus or the handset...........any answer to this problem?
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1:10 PM
Nick: Most digital TVs also have an analogue tuner. You should check your TV's handbook for how to select it.
Alternatively you could use a 'video sender' which connects a wireless transmitter to the scart of your Sky box, and a receiver to your TV. This also carries the remote signal back to the Sky box so that you can change channel etc. remotely.
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Nick: Let us know the model number of the LG set and I will see if I can locate the specification and user manual on the internet so as to help answer your query.
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6:34 PM
Dave Lindsay, all: I recently removed my Sky multi-room package which served a seperately connected (to the dish)Sky early digi-box. I can now receive Freesat via the Sky digi-box even though my main Sky service is to an HD+ box. Sky can help you with this if this is your choice I think it is part of their service commitment and possible licensing? Incidentally the dish has to be a multi LNB equipped dish as in my case two connections are made from the HD+ box to allow recording
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11:13 PM
Broadstairs
I only want to know when Freeview will be available in our area.
It is very important as my wife has suffered
a major stroke and relies on TV, and Sky is getting very expensive
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Bryan's: mapB's Freeview map terrainB's terrain plot wavesB's frequency data B's Freeview Detailed Coverage