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.
10:39 PM
hello
am currently using a skybox given to me by an english friend of mine and it works without using the card ; am receiving the freesat from sky apparently ; Is it possible to buy a new sky (mine seems to stop working sometimes and I have to restart it) with no subscription and use it with no card alone to get the freesat?
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12:53 PM
I have recently changed from Sky+HD to BT Vision+. I'd like to still get the Freeview HD channels,and I believe I can connect a Freesat box to my old Sky dish, but how should I then connect it all up to my TV while still keeping the BT box connected?
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12:31 AM
Hi, We have a non-digital HD ready TV. We live in West Yorkshire (WF3 postcode)and want to receive TV channels (mainly CBBC for our son). We cannot receive any TV channels at the moment due to the digital switch-over. We have been given a Sky+ HD box with an expired viewing card. A local aerial company will supply and install a satellite dish for £80. Will this enable us to receive TV channels (including CBBC) via the Sky box without paying any subscriptions? Is this the best way for us to receive ordinary TV channels? Thanks in advance.
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7:26 AM
James: The WF3 post code area is indicated as being only 10 miles away from Emley Moor plus within range of other possible sources of reception, so if you have an non digital analogue TV all you require is a standard Freeview box coupled into your TV's scart socket, this said taking it that you have a normal aerial.
Regarding the Sky box, this will work as far as BBC is concerned, but you might not be able to view ITV in your area without a £25.00 "Free to view" card from Sky.
If you provide a full post code this will enable your reception possibilities to be checked on more accurately, as its appreciated that you might well be in a black spot for reception. (deep valley etc).
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12:21 PM
Wakefield
Hi JB38, Thanks for your reply. Yes we have a normal aerial attached to the house. The postcode is WF3 3TF.
I thought about the standard Freeview box option, but as we have been given a Sky+ HD box and already have an HD TV, it seems a shame not to use its potential.
I also read up on the Freesat option but that seems to be the most expensive option.
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James's: mapJ's Freeview map terrainJ's terrain plot wavesJ's frequency data J's Freeview Detailed Coverage
3:00 PM
James: I see now what you mean about the Sky HD box and also with regards to your TV, my confusion was because you had originally mentioned "non digital", this making me think that it was an analogue set you had, and why I had suggested using a Freeview box.
Although you obviously favour using the Sky HD box for reception once you have a dish fitted, I wondered what kind of Freeview reception you you getting? that is if you have tried tuning it in, as the trade predictor gives a glowing forecast for your location, maybe even to the extent of having problems with the signal being too strong which can cause blocking in the tuner, this resulting in either no reception at all, or anything that is frequently breaking up.
Maybe you could come back on the Freeview issue, as my interest was because of you mentioning that you could not receive it because of the switchover.
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3:47 PM
If i bought a second hand Sky+ HD box and satellite dish but don't subscribe to sky will i still be able to get freeview like channels and still be able to pause and record the channels i do get and will i still get the freeview HD channels?
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9:48 PM
Chardy: You will not be able to use the record side of the box unless you pay a £10.00 monthly subscription to Sky, nor will you be able to view ITV programmes (5* etc)in some areas without purchasing a "Free to view" card from Sky, it costing £25.00 for an indefinite period.
You will though be able to view HD on these channels, but not Sky HD programmes.
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12:08 AM
JB38: The TV is analogue and it is HD ready. We have never watched broadcast channels before, just used the TV as a monitor/screen to watch DVDs.
Other than the Sky+ HD box which we recently acquired, we have never owned any kind of set top box.
I presume the TV would have previously been able to receive analogue broadcast channels, but now that this area has switched over to digital the TV cannot receive broadcast channels unless used in conjunction with a set top box. That's if I have understood correctly?
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7:42 AM
James: A TV capable of displaying HD images has to be digital, although most of the TV's seen in any store are still capable of receiving analogue signals as well as digital Freeview ones, with a number of higher end TV's also having Freesat tuners as well as Freeview and analogue ones.
I can only assume that you might have a analogue widescreen TV and you are associating that with HD, which of course it isn't!
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