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.
12:10 PM
Hi
I have yesterday reconnected my Sky HD+ box and contacted sky to get a Sky+ subscription only. (I am sick of my freeview box missing recordings and loved the simplicity of the sky EPG)My old card is out of date and they are sending me a new Freesat card.
The question is will i be able to record the FTA HD Channels as they dont seem to be in the Sky Freesat list ?
| link to this comment |
Harrypea: You can't record/play/record anything on a Sky+ box without a subscription.
If you want to record from satellite without a subscription you need a Freesat+ or Freesat+HD box.
| link to this comment |
12:26 PM
Hi Briantist
Sky have given me a Sky plus subscription only. I am paying them just for the ability to use sky+. I was wondering if this would give me the ability to record FTA HD channels as i have a Sky HD box.
Thanks
| link to this comment |
Harrypea: The HD subscription is separate from the + subscription. If you have + you can record/play/pause any channels you can receive.
| link to this comment |
11:08 PM
Hi...i have just connected an old sky box to the dish,and was pleased to find i could recieve most free channels...but not itv1...says 'insert viewing card' or 'call sky to upgrade card'...but i get all the other itv chaneels no problem....???
Im not a sky subscriber anyomore so can't ask them for a new card...could it just be a system set up problem?
Thanks.
| link to this comment |
8:28 AM
Hi... I currently have a Sky HD box, but cancelled the HD (£10) package sometime ago. I am on a standard package with Sky and only really watch the free HD channels on BBC1, ITV, C4. If I cancel my subscription with Sky all together will I still be able to view these HD channels?
| link to this comment |
ET: You will still get BBC ONE HD, BBC HD and ITV1 HD, and normally C4 HD (as long as you keep the card in the box).
| link to this comment |
9:43 AM
if it is a standard box you can get a freesat from sky card at about £30 but you would be better of with a freesat box from Argos they cost £30.64
with the freesat from sky if they change the cards you will have to buy a new one
| link to this comment |