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.
5:10 PM
I had a Sky package costing 75.75 a month. I have just rung Sky and ditched all the Sky packs - sports, movies, family, etc - and the HD pack, and gone onto 'recordable services'. This means I keep my Sky+ box and the record, rewind, pause etc functions will continue to work. There is no contract; I can unsubscribe from recordable services and get myself a Freesat box and be free of Sky altogether at any time if I wish.
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7:47 PM
Tim: "Recordable services?"
That's a new one!!
Sky must be getting desparate!
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8:59 PM
Tim: Interesting!, but though, as I have been unable to find any mention of Sky having changed their policy as far as ex-subscribers being able to retain the recording / playback facilities on their boxes is concerned, at least without the 10.50 or so per month that they normally charge, can you confirm that you are definitely *not* being charged for being able to retain this facility?
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2:43 PM
Tim: I have just cancelled my sky tv pack - sky confirmed that I can still watch freeview & free to air channels through my sky + box but they said that the pause/rewind/record services will not work...???
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2:46 PM
jb38: I have just cancelled my sky tv pack - sky confirmed that I can still watch freeview & free to air channels through my sky + box but they said that the pause/rewind/record services will not work...???
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8:30 PM
Chris : Thanks for the update, the content of somewhat confirming my initial suspicion of Sky's customer rep having possibly misled you about subscription free retention of the recording /playback side of your Sky+ HD box.
By the way, did they by any chance mention what their latest charge (per month) is for those that are willing to pay to retain this facility?
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11:04 PM
Trowbridge
Chris:
What you are able to receive via your ex-Sky box is not Freeview but Freesat! Sutble difference I know but for clarity sake we should use the more accurate terminology.
Like jb38, I suspect ypu were mis-informed about retaining the ability to record or watch existing recordings. My brother used to work for the company designing the Sky boxes and he confirmed that the design spec calls for the ability to record or view recordings is controlled via the viewing card and when the subscription is terminated that is instructed to lock the record facility.
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MikeP's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
9:22 PM
If I have sky freesat can I pay sky to watch sky sports news
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10:17 PM
dave: I don't think so, but you could ask Sky whether you can or not.
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11:03 PM
Trowbridge
Dave:
As I understand Sky's packages, you would need to pay for a basic Sky package plus the Sports package. They do not, as far as I understand, offer just the Sports channels separately.
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MikeP's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage