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.
4:49 PM
ada:you can watch sports channel on internet on www.speedotv.com
| link to this comment |
10:29 PM
I have the basic package with sky I have sky hd box if I cancel sky what channels will I get my aerial is a sky dish,sky say my bill will go up in September by £1-50a month that makes it £23 I am a pensioner and can't pay these prices as well as the normal TV licence
| link to this comment |
Suasan: the channels you will get are listed on the All free TV channels | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice page under"Sky no card"
| link to this comment |
11:59 PM
i have recently had sky tv and broadband installed, i was previously with virgin media and when i canceled my contract, they made me return the set top box, modem & remotes. so that being the matter, does this mean if i cancel my sky contract in lets say 18 months, will i be able to keep my sky+ set top box, and the modem?
| link to this comment |
12:19 PM
Hi I have sky & a freesat box, is there a switch/selector I can get to select which input my dish feeds, turning off the one that is not in use?
| link to this comment |
1:46 PM
dan: If you are just looking for a simple manual switch that will work with any satellite box then although this device is generally used to enable one receiver to switch between two satellite dishes it can also be used in reverse, this achieved by connecting the feed from the dish into the middle connector and with the Sky box being fed from one end and the Freesat box from the other.
Satellite Receiver Cable F TYPE Manual A-B LNB Switch | eBay
| link to this comment |
12:17 PM
Is there somewhere I can complain to [ofcom?] about the meanness of SKY?
2 things really irritate me: The £10+ subscription for recording/playback, and the need for a satelite signal just to playback something recorded.
OR: Is there a broadcasting journalist who might make a public fuss about these things?
| link to this comment |
Paul Scott: Sorry, but there's no one to complain to, as you signed a bit of paper with this:
on it. Of your own free will.
More here Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | Freesat | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice
| link to this comment |
11:03 PM
I cancelled my multi room subscription a month ago and was advised my existing contract would run to 31 July 2013. Today my multi room subscription ended but I have no free view on the multi room box. Is this right? Should I not continue to get the free channels on my 2nd box?
| link to this comment |
11:48 PM
Norman: Try removing your card followed by disconnecting the box from the mains for about 30 seconds or so before reconnecting it again and letting it go though the usual searching for listings procedure without the card being installed, although in theory whether or not the card is installed should not make any difference.
| link to this comment |