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.
10:33 AM
Hi, i have Sky+ HD in my living room but i live in an area where standard signal is very poor so my tv upstairs can't even get free to air services. I have an old Sky+ box and was wondering if it was possible to link it to the sky dish to enable me to watch free to air channels?
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10:37 AM
hi there
i have a sky+ box but no viewing card that i got from my friend who has left the country but i do naot have sky subscription. i have 2 satelite wires coming into my lounge. can i just connect the sky box to the wires and expect it to get free channels or will i have to get a sky viewing card for me to get these?
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11:12 AM
Hi,
I have canceled my Sky+ subscription in July'10 and enjoying watching free to air channels. But since last month I m unable to access "International" channels starting with ch.no.801 onwards. I m only able to watch BBC, ITV.
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1:37 PM
My parents live in County Donegal and have a dish with One Old type digibox.
They do not want Subscription, so view Free to air channels with a Card I purchased from Sky.
The LNB is of a single type only.
I am arranging to have the LNB changed to a Multitype so I can have a Digibox in my room and they can have an additional box in the Kitchen.
Will I require a new card for each of the new Digiboxes or can they access channels without one. The TV in the lounge has the main box so we are just looking at getting channels whilst in other rooms.
Also can I purchase a Digibox from B&Q or Lidl and use the existing dish.
Any advice will be appreciated
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2:21 PM
Hi
I am a sky subscriber with sky+ hd services.
I bought a second, more recent Amstrad box but it has no viewing card.
Can I purchase another white card from Sky for the second box, without taking out additional sky packages, such as multi room?
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mel: Yes you can. It will give you three extra channels Sky3, Fiver and Five USA.
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Shax: Please try the three methods on the What can my do when my Sky Digibox says 'No Signal' or 'Technical fault'? | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page.
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Lavender: If you want to play/record/pause (ie, use both wires) you need a Freesat+ or Freesat+HD box. You can get these from any high street electrical retailer.
A Sky+ or Sky+HD box will not play/record/pause without a Sky subscription.
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Gareth: Yes, but the Sky+ box will not record/pause/play without a Sky subscription.
However, you can use a Freesat+ or Freesat+HD box with the dish - you will need the satellite-grade coaxial cables to link the LNB on the dish - but installation is quite straightforward.
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