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.
2:46 PM
I am leaving sky on 21 sept can I use old sky box to record and play back etc or will I have to buy a new box
Many thanks. Paul
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Paul burn: No, a subscription is required for the dubious privilege of using your own box to record.
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Paul burn: There is my take on what you need at Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | Freesat | ukfree.tv - 11 years of independent, free digital TV advice ...
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5:45 PM
I have an old unused skyplus box because I upgraded. I am a Sky subscriber.
Can I use this box at all? It is in excellent condition. I have a free outside aerial socket.Can I use this somehow ?
Thanks
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12:40 PM
I am coming to the end of my first year with Sky, and am getting 'rid'..I have freeview already fitted within the TV in my bedroom and lounge TV..and Lounge TV is HD tele..(although Sky technician never set it up for this, when he set up channels for Sky..Can you tell me if I am able to use the satellite dish in effect, as an Aerial to begin using Freeview alone..or will I need to install freeview boxes for both TV...failing that, can I maybe even..remove the satellite dish and use the outside wire that was attached to it..to attach a new digital aerial, which in effect, will be wired to Lounge and bedroom already, therefore give me access to Freeview channels..any help is appreciated..
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Isabella: The satellite dish points to a satellite and therefore cannot be used to receive from a terrestrial transmitter, which is the system Freeview uses.
If your satellite dish feeds both the lounge and the bedroom, with a separate Sky box in each then you could potentially replace both Sky boxes with Freesat ones. Or you could retain one or both Sky boxes and view the free channels.
As for Freeview, if you already have a terrestrial aerial then it may be able to be used. Knowledge of your location, preferably in the form of full postcode (or that of a nearby property such as a shop) should allow an idea of whether this might be possible.
Whilst it is quite advisable to use the same type of cable for terrestrial as for satellite, unless a terrestrial aerial can be sited where the dish is then it will need joining. Whilst this isn't impossible, it being outdoors means that any joint must be watertight. For this reason I suggest that outdoor joints be avoided if at all possible.
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7:20 PM
I cancelled sky 6 weeks ago and they have stopped taking payments but I still am getting sky
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2:15 PM
We have been using an old Sky box (not HD or +) with a viewing card and Sky dish to receive free to view channels. If we replaced the old Sky box with a Sky + box, using the same viewing card, would the functionality of the + box (i.e. record, pause, rewind) work or would we have to subscribe to Sky?
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9:09 PM
steven lloyd: I am coming to the end of my sky contract. I will probably go to freesat and would consider real digital. Will it ever launch? The website says an autumn launch! Is there any latest news? What would be the best freesat pvr to access non freesat channels? How many non freesat channels would I be able to receive on top of the freesat channels? Will freesat be launching pay channels in the future? Thanks
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