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.
Christo: I think you have everything you need to know.
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9:15 AM
Ely
Thanks for your comments everyone
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Bill's: mapB's Freeview map terrainB's terrain plot wavesB's frequency data B's Freeview Detailed Coverage
3:23 PM
Ryan: I have recently subscribed to sky and have two feeds to a ski hd box in my back room. There are also two feeds running to my front room from the dish, from the previous owner. If I get a sky+ box what type of sky viewing card will I need to use it and will I b able to record programs using the box?
Thanx.
Ryan.
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Ryan: Sky+ requires a Sky subscription to play/pause/record. If you want to play/pause/record without paying Sky, you need a Freesat+ or Freesat+HD box.
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7:04 PM
There is no such thing as a Freesat+HD Box,
Freesat do not do a Freesat SD Recorder
only a HD one
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Josh Welby: So, what do you suggest I call it then that won't confuse people?
Freesat don't "do" boxes anyway, various companies make Freesat-branded boxes.
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8:10 PM
Josh Welby -
To clarify:-
Twin Tuner "Freesat" Recorders eith onboard HDD varying capacities:-
3 Harvard Group (Bush and Grundig) branded.
2 Humax
3 Panasonic (Blue Ray option available)
3 Sagem
1 Technisat - single tuner - external HDD or High capacity Pen Drive required.
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8:12 PM
P.S. - Releases in the pipeline:-
Echostar
Samsung.
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8:31 PM
P.S. Perhaps should have also noted:-
The Humax 320GB version - Multi-sat capable
Technisat dingle tuner - " " "
diseqc and USALS software loaded.
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6:53 PM
Hi,
Sorry if this question was asked already...
I currently have SKY+ subscription. I have a quad LNB and wires running...two to SKY+ box and one upstairs....is it possible to connect standard sky box upstair to view free-to-air channels without loosing SKY+ features downstair? (without paying extras i.e. multi-room subscription, etc)... When I connected the SKY box upstair, I got the free-to-air, I lost the SKY+ features downstair, i.e. watch & record... Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
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