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.
9:11 PM
kevin: Yes, many thanks for your input regarding that particular procedure as I am unable to test this for myself by not being in possession of an Irish viewing card, which of course is a bit of an impediment to say the least.
I also feel that you are possibly correct regarding your suspicion of not being able to plan a recording in advance, this being one of the snags that can crop up when trying to defeat the system and why I had mentioned the procedure as having an element of "hit and miss" about it, as info I received from two of my contacts in Eire that use Sky+ HD boxes have given somewhat contradictory reports, this rather indicating that success (or not) is inclined to be box dependant and possibly connected to the software version installed, therefore purely for reference purposes I would be interested to know the software version installed in your particular box as well as the model number that's printed on the label, this either being on the underside or the rear panel label.
With regards to cancelling the contract with Sky but opting to pay the £10.00 per month to be able to use the recording facility, yes! that's what quite a number of people choose to do, although paying £120 per year simply for the privilege of using the recorder is likewise considered by many others as not being particularly good value for money, and so generally end up purchasing a subscription free Freesat PVR as this is 100% compatible with the Sky dish system, whereby once that the purchase price is paid there are no further expenses involved.
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9:29 PM
Can you tell me, I have cancelled sky as I can't afford it. So can I still use the box to watch freeview channels. Thanks
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3:58 PM
i caneled my sky subription . i wasn to watch football match on espn at the weekend . di ihave to resign up to sky to get espn or can i just subcibr to espn and watch it the sky+ box that i have ?
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6:22 PM
Is it possible to run both a sky box and a humax freesat box from the same dish to use in different rooms?
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Anne James: Yes. Sky and Freesat are entirely compatible, as far as the dish is concerned, and they can both run from the same dish simultaneously.
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12:48 PM
Hello, I am planning to terminate sky contract, will I be able to view free channels after terminating the contract? I live in an apartment which has a sky disk on the terrace.
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1:41 PM
Sunil R: Yes! you can check what you will be able to view by simply removing your card and having a look through the programme listings of the channels that you normally view.
Sky only disables your ability to view channels dedicated to a Sky package, plus of course the recording / playback side of your box should you be using a Sky+ type.
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5:04 PM
I shall soon be cancelling my Sky+ HD TV package, mainly to do with the cost and contract. I have been reading about FreeSat/YouView and Freeview. I have a sky dish outside and from what I understand, I shall still be able to use/keep it? My SkyHD box will no doubt be useless on the cut-off date?
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5:21 PM
Tricia: Only useless unless you take a £10.25p per month subscription out with Sky to enable you to use the recording / playback side of your box as you will still be able to view all free channels as before, you can check what you will be able to view by temporarily removing your card.
By the way your dish / cabling is 100% compatible with Freesat, Freeview is received via a normal loft or roof mounted aerial dependant on where you are located.
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10:20 AM
i have just installed a sky dish and set up a sky box, boot sale item. should i be able to get the horse race programmes ie at the races or similar for free or do i need to subscribe
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