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.
4:52 PM
We have just finished with Sky and purchased a Sony TV that receives freeview etc using the satellite dish.However cant get any live broadcasts on the red button.Tried channel 301 during the tennis, came up with not available. Do I need to replace the dish with an aerial.
| link to this comment |
Steve Hine: Freeview doesn't use a dish, it uses an aerial. If you are using then that is Freesat. At the moment, some Red Button content is scrambled by Sky and not available to Freesat viewers.
| link to this comment |
6:35 PM
hi i have sky digibox freeview some channels are free but i am looking for somthing like HD box or somthing comes with all uk and asian channals please tell me where can i get it. thank you
| link to this comment |
9:04 PM
I have just changed my normal sky box to a hd+ 1 and non of the hd channels will work. Any1 no why
| link to this comment |
10:39 PM
if my sky hd box is cut off.will i still be able to watch programmes i recorded and saved to my planner
| link to this comment |
12:01 AM
Reading
billy: no, I'm afraid that Sky require you to keep paying to get access to anything you have previously recorded. For the SD Sky+ box you have to pay the minimum £10.25 to keep recording and playback functionality, I'm not sure if the Sky+HD box requires you to keep paying the extra £10 HD fee.
You also lose the ability to pause live TV, as I understand it.
| link to this comment |
Mike's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
ant: You need to pay for an HD subscription to watch the HD channels, aside from BBC One HD, BBC HD and ITV1 HD.
| link to this comment |
siraj ulhaq: You will need to contact Sky to subscribe to the Asian channels.
| link to this comment |
7:59 AM
Briantist: thank you for your response yesterday. If I do go ahead and cancel my Sky subscription (as I don't see the point of continuing as I only watch 1,2,3,4), will I still be able to record programmes and pause live TV?
| link to this comment |