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.
5:05 PM
Thanks. One other question: the sky website indicates that HD channels are available on FSFS, whereas the info above says about needing to swap out the box to get HD. Is the info above out of date, or are things different for new sky FSFS customers compared to those who just cancel their HD subscription?
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5:24 PM
Pete: If you do indeed have a Sky HD box then you will still be able to use for reception all free HD channels such as BBC1 HD, BBC HD, ITV1 HD, C4 HD, as its only the recording / playback side of the box as well as the ability to view channels dedicated to a Sky package that's disabled.
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9:48 AM
I have a freesat box. Will I be able to receive other regular satellite signals (not freesat) if I redirect my dish and scan for channels?
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2:20 PM
if i have a signal problem i phone up sky and they fix it.
if i no longer subscribe to sky but get free channels via their box what happens if i lose signal. will sky still help
also will i lose my sky+ recording as i think this is great
Kevin
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2:22 PM
sorry i forgot to ask. all above seems to be for UK channels. i get Irish channels via sky, will i still get if i unsubscribe?
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4:21 PM
Edster: If your Freesat box has a non-Freesat tuning mode then yes, as a Freesat box is just basically a free to air box with additional software to cater for Freesat.
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5:00 PM
kevin: To answer both queries, the fist being that it depends entirely on the terms of your contract, insomuch that if its been running for under a year then a possible yes, whereas after that period you will be charged for any visits / work carried out.
With regards to Sky+, when you cancel your subscription Sky will disable that side of your box at around the same time as you lose your ability to view Sky package channels.
As far as Irish channels are concerned, any Irish channels dedicated to your package will be lost, but as far as the others are concerned you can find out what (if any) you will be able to view by just removing your card and checking the EPG listings, however do NOT disconnect your box from the power supply after having removed the card or you will find that its reverted back to being a UK box after it has been plugged in again.
If though you wish to return to the Irish channels EPG just reinsert the card and it "might" (dependant on box) return to being an Irish box after about 20 secs or so, if it doesn't just "leave the card in the box" and go though the disconnecting from the mains and waiting 30 secs or so before reconnecting again procedure.
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12:11 PM
Hi
I live in Ireland and as such have to manually add certain channels Five etc. to my services other channels in order to view through my Sky + HD box.
Is there a way to record these channels on my Sky +HD box?
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12:26 AM
George: Basically no! as a Sky+ box can only record programmes listed in the EPG and any channels added via the "add channels" facility wont be even although you can view them.
The only thing that "might" work (no guarantee's though) is to revert your box back into being an UK version, this done by removing the card followed by disconnecting the box from the mains supply and waiting 30 seconds or so before reconnecting it again, because after it has rebooted again it will be found to have defaulted back into being a UK version and where Ch5 etc will be seen in the EPG listings.
This being where there is an element of hit and miss involved as Sky boxes do not all respond in exactly the same fashion, but slide your viewing card back in again and then observe if the UK EPG has changed, because if not (which is what you want) then you can just select the Ch5 programme that you want to record, but on the other hand if the EPG has altered when you reinserted the viewing card then I am afraid that you will not be able to record Ch5, because the card "has" to be inserted or the recording side of the box will not operate.
To return the box back into being an Irish version make sure that the card is still inserted and carry out the mains disconnecting / then reconnecting procedure again.
Of course all said on the assumption that you are using an Irish viewing card in the box?
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10:26 AM
JB that does work for sky+ UK channels as i have done this myself. only issue is i don't think you can plan to record a channel it has to be done at the same time.
one last question, if i unsubscribe to sky i was advised for £10 fee to sky you can keep the plus for freeview channels. i will ask this if i cancel but just wondering if you heard of this.
BTW JB thanks a lot for your input as it is greatly appreciated.
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