Help: Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?
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Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?


Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Free

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.



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Dawn
Saturday 11 May 2013 1:26PM
So what everyone is saying if I leave Sky then all the recordings on the skybox I will not be able to view them. I do not want to record anything just watch the old recordings. Not possible
jb38
Saturday 11 May 2013 1:47PM
Dawn: No, as the recording / playback side of a Sky+ box is disabled by Sky at around the same time as your ability to view Sky's package channels, you could of course take out a new contract with Sky purely to enable you to retain that side of the box, but at just over £10.00 per month many consider it not worth the cost and usually decide to purchase a Freesat twin tuner PVR, these being 100% compatible with the dish.
lez
Saturday 11 May 2013 1:53PM
hi iv just got a sky+ box but no card ? so got hold of a card but it will not work any idea it says wrong card for box can i reset it?
jb38
Saturday 11 May 2013 4:27PM
lez: On Sky+ boxes the serial number of the box is programmed into the card by Sky during the setting up process so that the card cannot be used in more than one box, you having experienced the result of this action.

Sky will only pair a card to a box if the person requesting same has a current contract with them, there being no way around this.
adam
Sunday 12 May 2013 10:32AM
i have sky hd but cancelling to move over to bt sports..will i be able to receive bt sports via sky if i have no tv subscription with sky??
Roy Peebles
Sunday 12 May 2013 8:51PM
I currently have sky plus with no outstanding time left on the contract. If I cancel my sky subscription will I still be able to receive the free channels through my existing plus box, or can sky block the box itself.

R.P.
jb38
Monday 13 May 2013 12:18AM
Roy Peebles: Sky can only stop a viewer from receiving Sky package channels when they cancel their contract, but however they will block access to the recording / playback side of the box unless a further contract is taken out (@ £10.25 per month) to enable a viewer to retain use of the recorder.
jb38
Monday 13 May 2013 8:10AM
Roy Peebles: Just to clarify, you will of course still be able to view all the free channels exactly as presently done, although anyone intending to cancel their contract with Sky can easily find out which channels they will still be able to view by simply removing the card from the box.

That said though, there are a few odd channels (not part of a package) which although free still require the card to be inserted because they are encrypted e.g: Sony TV 157, although you needn't worry about these because you would still have the card inserted into the box anyway.



joe
Wednesday 15 May 2013 1:21PM
what is the best FREE SAT box to purchase?
Robert
Sunday 19 May 2013 3:15PM
Can you watch the god Chanel online.
Robert
Sunday 19 May 2013 4:12PM Falkirk
Is there any free sports channels on sky free to view.
kay
Tuesday 21 May 2013 9:14AM
can sky pin point where there boxes are via the signal? my partner was going to get a sky box from someone just for the freesat channels if the person has not paid a bill etc can they trace the box to us?
jb38
Tuesday 21 May 2013 11:10AM
kay: In theory they could if the phone line was connected as the box communicates with Sky at various times, although mostly during night time hours.

However, you do not require to have the phone line connected to receive any channels whether free or not, and so leave it unconnected.
Geoffrey Caton
Thursday 23 May 2013 10:58AM
Are there going to be any added channels to freesat in the future,and when why can't we receive tcm on freesat.
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