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.
Nice post even with the problems it has it still generates a profit. You can use my weekly sky fan pass here: Free Sky Fan Pass
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8:04 PM
Hi,
So, I'm cancelling my (over a year old) Sky subscription, and moving in with family for while. They also have Sky in the main room. I was hoping to be able to access basic channels for free via my Sky box from my bedroom in family house. Probably a silly question, but will I need to get Sky to install any sockets for that without taking out a multiroom subscription, or will it work by magic/ wireless?
Confuzzled!
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9:32 AM
Kirstine Duff:
To use your Sky box in another room you will need to have at least one extra cable from the existing dish into that room. If the current LNB mounted on the dish has a spare output that could be used. If it does not have a spare output then a different LNB will be required to provide the additional outlets. You do not need Sky to do anything, but a local aerial contractor would be needed to install the extra cable and possibly change the LNB.
It does not work by magic, nor wireless.
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9:09 AM
The only reason we pay for Sky satellite subscription, is to receive Eurosport or British Eurosport for the cycling coverage. We watch very little tv generally, mostly BBC, C4, Dave, Film4. Can we get British Eurosport without having to pay Sky subscription?
Thank you
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J Warwick: Yes, you can. You can watch JUST British Eurosport for £5 a month - Eurosport Player .You can use a Google Chromecast (£30 - total bargain) to get it on your HDTV, along with many other services.
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7:48 AM
We have a HDTV and HDMI cable do I still have to pay for HD from sky..thank you.
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10:05 AM
Trowbridge
Lynsey:
If you use the Sky service via their box, then to get HD services they charge an additional subscription.
If you have a full HD TV set and a terrestrial aerial and get your signals from a transmitter equipped for HD transmissions then you could get many services in HD from Freeview. Many HD Ready TV sets do not have the required tuner for HD reception, relying instead on the use of an external box - like the Sky HD box. Full HD TV sets have the required tuner already. If you giove the make and model number of your TV set, we could look up whether it has an HD tuner already.
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MikeP's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
11:21 PM
Lynsey : Although as said by MikeP, a subscription will be required in order to view a number of HD channels that are not dedicated as being part of a Sky package, a full subscription being required for those that are, however, you "will" be able to view HD channels on your box from Public Service Broadcasters etc without any subscription being required, e.g: BBC1-2-3-4 HD including CBeebies HD / CBBC HD / BBC News HD / ITV HD/Ch4 HD / RT HD/ NHK world HD, no others being possible that I am aware of.
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11:12 AM
I have cancelled my Sky subscription, someone told me about being able to use the box for free sat/view.
Is it possible to plug the box into a t.v. In another room (bedroom)
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