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.
9:41 PM
Weymouth
What are the most popular satellites to log on to in the south of the UK.
I currently have 2 dishes 1 into the Astra 1, 1E, 2A2B2C2D & Apstar 2R C satellites and the second into Hotbird 6/7/8A .
Are their any others that I should be able to lock on to.
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Idris's: mapI's Freeview map terrainI's terrain plot wavesI's frequency data I's Freeview Detailed Coverage
8:15 PM
I am buying a new apartment which has a ring of CoAx TV aerial sockets as well as 2 satellite inputs. Can I assume that I will be able to use the CoAx sockets for Freeview?
Thank you.
hbpierce@gmail.com
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11:38 PM
Bernard:
If the coaxial sockets are connected to a UHF aerial system, then yes you could. But bear in mind that it could well be a communal system feed all the apartments in the development. The same is likely to be true of the satellite feeds, they are often fed via a distribution system and it is now common practice to provide two F type sockets to allow for Sky+ HD, etc.
The managing agents should be able to clarify what the sockets provide.
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4:12 PM
I have just stopped subscribing to sky and wanted to use the digi box to get free view. How do I do this? The box is all linked up as normal but the modem has been taken out. Will this cause the digi box to not work?
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5:10 PM
Matt: Provided that the feed from the dish is still operational then you do not require to do anything to receive the "free to view" channels as they are not dependant on anything being connected into the box with the exception of the coax feed from the dish being connected into the LNB1 position, if though you are using a Sky+ box then the LNB2 input does not require to be connected into the dish as its mostly used for recording purposes but which will not now apply since you cancelled the subscription.
The box will even work without the Sky card being inserted, as now the only purpose it serves is to enable you to view the correct regional news services for your area plus Sony TV (157), as although this a free channel the programme is encrypted.
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10:30 AM
Good Morning I live in an apartment and I have to use a sky digibox to receive my tv channels although I have a digital tv with freeview channels, I would like to receive catch up do you have to subscribe to anyone?
sorry if this is long winded!
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8:01 PM
Helen
I have a Sky+ HD box and that can be connected to the internet via WiFi or Ethernet cable. Once connected there is no additional cost to use the catch-up services.
You can view the User Manual at http://storage.sky.com/pr….pdf
There is a section in there about making the connection and using Catch-up TV.
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1:48 PM
I am unable to receive freeview on the second tv in the conservatory. I do have sky and a magic eye which does work although the picture is not good. How can I watch freeview on this t.v. It tells me the stream is not available. Do I need a new ariel? If it disconnect Sky would my old digi box work? I am at a loss trying to decide what to do for the best. My sky box is HD and only a few months old everything worked before the new one was installed. HELP!
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12:03 PM
Dear UFKTV, I have had my question answered with the help of the group, but I would like to know IF once I cancel my sky subscription that I can use the record facility of my Sky box to record the Freeview channels?
,many thanks Andy
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andrew weeks:
Officially the answer to that is NO.
However I have seen a couple of random STB's that seem to be working with the record function.
Good luck :)
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jamie's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage