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.
Mike: You must attached the "upstairs" box directly to a spare LNB output on the dish, you can't in any way "split" the satellite feeds.
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8:47 PM
HI.
Just a a bit of advice from anyone?.
I have SKY but only view the free channels got
too exspensive being a pensioner, My query is
i have bought FOXSAT320GB FREESAT RECORDER so i can record channels and watch Freesat, i have a quad LNB if i run two feeds to the Freesat recorder so i can record two channels
at same time. and another feed to SKY box so i can watch channels that are not on BBC ITV Freesat is this possible,
Kind regards D.J
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Derek: Yes, that is an excellent idea. Or, you can view Sky3, Fiver and Five USA on Freeview if you have it.
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12:07 PM
i tried to cancel my sky account today.and said i wanted to get freesat.they told me i would only get 5 channels.and nothing else.plus sky+ and multi room woul not work .is this right.so they have halve my payments by half
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12:47 PM
Joyce Carter. Yes Joyce, what SKY have told you is correct. An alternative is to opt for the "Freesat" service supported by the BBC and ITV. This means buying your own "Freesat" receiver. There are various models (including HD) of these available also those that have the same recording ability as a SKY plus receiver. - There is no subscription required for "Freesat" and the these receivers are connected to your existing Satellite Dish.
Available from most TV and electrical outlets Suchas Comet, Curry's, Argos etc.
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12:49 PM
I find it hard to believe that they would say this.
You will get more than 5 channels.
If you turn off your Sky box pull out the viewing card and turn the box back on. You will see that you can still see loads of channels.
You will not be able to record any channels (Unless you plug it into a Video recorder)
To still receive Channel 5 you need a FSFS (Free Satellite From Sky) card.
This card will also move your local BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4 channels from the 900's to 101-104.
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12:54 PM
PS.
When you cancel your contract your present viewing card will become a FSFS card.
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PPS
Don't know if 'multi room' will still work.
Try it without a viewing card and let us know.
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Mark's: mapM's Freeview map terrainM's terrain plot wavesM's frequency data M's Freeview Detailed Coverage
joyce carter: Sky are such liars - the list of channels you continue to get are listed under "fsfs" on the All free-to-watch channels | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice page.
The only card you need is the one you already have.
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4:17 PM
Thanks Briantist.
For your reply 17 feb 2011 just trying to make it clear in my old brain i have SKY box none subcription and a humax freesat box is it ok for both of these boxes to run off the same LNB
in to my HD television set as described in my previous post, excuse my brain cells being a bit slow.
Kind regards Derek
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