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.
Keith B: Can you provide a full postcode, as this is required for Freeview prediction.
You can use you satellite dish to record, but you will need a Freesat+HD box - see Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
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8:02 PM
Hi, could you please tell me how many free channels on what kind of box and size of dish I will need in Copenhagen Denmark . Will I also recieve radio ? Any help would be great, also were I might purchase the stuff I need. Thank-you
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6:08 PM
tell me how can freesat be free when you have to pay £20 for the card,free dose not mean free at all its all money and a big con this country will never change.but there is one way to get free tv and that is in a touring caravan on the move try it ,its free ye
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7:09 PM
Tom - a £20.00 card now at £25.00 is the Freesat from SKY card - The "Freesat" service backed by the BBC and ITV requires you to purchase your own receiver,but having done so there is no charge for a card nor are there any subscription charges to pay.
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8:58 PM
Canalsat French satellite pay tv are running a promotion at present offering Family and Film packs for 12E/month for the first year and subscription will increase to 23.90E/month therafter.A50E cheque will be paid to those who sign up before end of November.Modern films are in package.Trailers of same are shown free to air.Discount card for shopping is also included
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1:16 AM
I posted the above re canalsat to highlight what a ripoff Sky is.Sky expects suscribers in Britain and Ireland to pay up to 63E/£50 for similar offer.I dont think Sky offers gift cheque for suscribing.Who allows this extortion to continue in hard economic times.It probably is the regulatory body who has to pretend that they are behaving and serving the greater interest and not the ordinary punter.According to reorts inthe media Sky made a billion pounds profit in the past 12 months.
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tom: The card provides access to PICK TV, 5USA and 5*, however 5USA and 5* will be going free-to-air shortly.
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Bryan: Please see the maps on the https://sat.ses.com/webse…5243 . There are no differences in the broadcast of television and radio services.
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11:11 PM
Hi,this website is really useful, so thank you..im still a little confused though with the freeview/freesat and what you need to do to get these!..
Basically, i have a sky plus box and am a bit fed up with paying so much money to subscribe to sky for loads of channels i dont watch. Im moving house soon and there is a sky dish there, so can i just plug in my sky box when i get there (having cancelled my subscription) and receive free view channels? Would i have to do anything to get the 'free sat' or would i automatically receive that? Also, the main thing im wondering is if theres any way of receiving sky sports 1 and 2 through my sky box without having to subscrive to any of the other tv packages through sky (obviously happy to pay for just the sports subscription, or for a sports card or something, but dont want to have to pay for the rest of the rubbish). Is there any way that can be possible?.. Thanks!
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4:43 PM
I think the answer is yes but just to check, I have sky HD service plus the extra room option. But I have only one sky HD box the other my original is non HD and used in the spare room. Can I just get another HD box and receive HD service - would the viewing card work? if not what needs doing. Thanks for your help
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