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.
7:29 PM
Thetford
tina: Aerial is on the roof with a strong reception for all channels,just not receiving any of the 4 HD channels.
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LEN's: mapL's Freeview map terrainL's terrain plot wavesL's frequency data L's Freeview Detailed Coverage
tina: If you stop subscribing you get these channels All free-to-watch channels: channels on Freesat from Sky | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice with the same picture quality and everything else.
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3:22 PM
Will a sky plus box still record free sat programes if subscriptions to sky are cancelled
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4:17 PM
R Ives: No! as Sky effectively controls the recording side of the box, and which will have been disabled at the same time as was the ability to view subscription channels.
Sky charges £10.00 per month to allowing recording access.
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...and $ky is allowed to get away with this; charging viewers for the privilege of using a function of their own equipment.
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12:18 AM
im moving to a house with no dish. If i take my current sky plus hd box with me can i recieve freeview channels and be able to record them? (i am paying for a sky plus hd subscription).
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8:00 AM
kasalilly: When you move to the other house you will either have to take the present dish with you and install it there, or alternatively have another one fitted, so you aren't really changing anything and there isn't any other options available unless you stop subscribing to Sky and change to Freeview via a normal aerial, that is provided Freeview reception is possible at the new location.
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I am ending my sky subscription just after Christmas. But there are a few things I will want to record, and watch later. If I record something off BBC will I still be able to watch it when Sky is cancelled?
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Andy: No, all record/play/pause functions stop at the end of the subscription. See Upgrading from Sky+HD to Freesat+HD | ukfree.tv - independent free digital TV advice .
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1:19 PM
I am in France and use a French bought system to access the BBC and Other FTA channels. My nephew has moved house and has switched from Sky to cable. Can I use his Skyplus box as a means of getting the HD channels or do I need a subscription?
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