Can I stop paying Sky and use my satellite receiver to get Freeview ?
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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joyce carter: Your existing card will do the same as a £25 card, there is no need to order a new one. M
Mick CadeFriday 18 February 2011 4:52PM
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parsnipFriday 18 February 2011 5:37PM
Is there ANY way I can still get Sky sport? parsnip: No, you must subscribe to Sky's basic package first via their system before you can do that via satellite.
You can also get Sky Sports 1 and 2 though digital terrestrial - either Top Up TV, BT Vision, and also Virgin Media. I
ian jamesFriday 18 February 2011 8:21PM
ian james: If you use a SKY+HD box, you must pay Sky a subscription to use it. If you have a Freesat+HD box, you can use it for free.
You will also need to have a quad-LNB fitted to your dish to provide the extra outputs, and suitable cable run in. M
Mick CadeSaturday 19 February 2011 4:22PM
Many Thanks for your answer ,i just connected my inside aerial to my tv,pressed a couple of buttons on the remote and Freeview was back on within seconds and now i can receive YESTERDAY channels once again.. J
jimbobSunday 20 February 2011 5:56PM
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jimbobSunday 20 February 2011 7:20PM
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MandySunday 20 February 2011 8:38PM
Mandy: You would need to have the dish moved to point at a different satellite, and to buy a new receiver capable of detecting the channels.
To be honest, you might as well get another dish installed and another receiver and keep your Sky equipment anyway. W
william forsterMonday 21 February 2011 10:30AM
william forster: No, the Sky+ boxes will not play/record/pause without a subscription.
You can, however, swap them out for Freesat+ or Freesat+HD boxes using the dish and cables. These boxes require no subscription. G
george cranMonday 21 February 2011 1:59PM
george cran: Yes, you can buy Freesat and Freesat HD boxes from all high street outlets. T
tinaMonday 21 February 2011 9:57PM
SkelmersdaleK
kevin wardTuesday 22 February 2011 6:16AM
kevin ward: No, you can't connect a dish to Freeview. You will need a FreeSAT HD box, which you can get from any high street electrical retailer. tina: You can connect as many Freesat boxes to your dish as you like.
You will need a suitable "quad-LNB" (they are £20) for the dish to provide enough outputs - if you don't already have one.
You just then need to connect each Freesat box to the LNB outputs on the dish using a satellite-grade cable.
You will be then able to watch any channel on any box. Les NicolTuesday 22 February 2011 7:29AM
kevin ward - No a Freeview TV or stand-alone receiver requires an external aerial. You can buy yourself either an SD or HD "Freesat" receiver and connect to the SKY dish. These are available from Argos, John Lewis, Comet Curry's, independent radio and TV retailers and Online.S
SteTuesday 22 February 2011 1:40PM
Tain
I am cancelling my Sky+HD subscription and March 4th 2011 should be about the cut off date. I have multiroom in one room. I know I will no longer be able to record/rewind/pause etc, but will I still be able to watch the 'free' channels on both sets in both rooms? I'm not quite clear on that and Sky weren't too helpful with that either.B
bluebruTuesday 22 February 2011 3:10PM
I recently did the same. I have an HD box in one room and another Sky plus box in another, after cancelling my subscription I could still recieve all of the free channels, including HD. I have since re-subscribed after being offered everything half price for 12 months.B
bluebruTuesday 22 February 2011 3:22PM
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Dave FryTuesday 22 February 2011 5:19PM
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Colin MKWednesday 23 February 2011 8:00AM
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GavinWednesday 23 February 2011 11:51AM
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Mike DimmickWednesday 23 February 2011 12:20PM
http://www.ukfree.tv/allchannels.php .
If you want Freeview, through an aerial, it depends on your location. If you provide a postcode we can look into it. (RG47SH) S
StevenWednesday 23 February 2011 12:50PM
I also have an outdoor aerial (as well as a dish from Sky), so I have both, so I presume this puts me in a good position to choose anything I wanted?
Thanks,
Steve.D
David Wednesday 23 February 2011 12:57PM
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E. LynnWednesday 23 February 2011 8:58PM
LutonFanWednesday 23 February 2011 9:08PM
E.Lynn- The fact you only receive analogue channels 1-4 suggests you receive terrestrial signals from a relay. If this is the case, you may not receive terrestrial digital signals until DSO.
Input your postcode at the top of the page to check.Steven: Put your postcode into the box at the top right to check the services you can receive on Freeview. D
D WangfordThursday 24 February 2011 9:14AM
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Ian RangeleyThursday 24 February 2011 12:32PM
Ian Rangeley: Basically, they are not going to add any more services to the transmitter.
The commercial multiplex operators do not wish to transmit from any such transmitters and they are under no obligation to do so. M
MocoThursday 24 February 2011 6:48PM
Don't know if anyone here can advise, but....
I have an old tele in an old house in rural Wales - a long way from a decent transmitter.
I have an outside aeriel on the roof and have recently had BT Vision installed. It works well, (I can do all the recording and stuff, but I only get 18 channels and not 43 and 44 on which, I understand, Sky Sports 1 and 2 exist.
I have purchased a Sky Sports 1 and 2 card and, before I send it back, have been trying to see if there's any way of boosting the signal. But, the technology is beyond me.
Please can anyone advise me about boosters and things. I think there's one that goes outside by the aeriel, but am not sure whether it is worth trying one out?
Many thanks
MocoMoco: The answer is more than likey "no", but I can't be sure without the full postcode. M
MocoThursday 24 February 2011 10:06PM
Oswestry
In the meantime, helpful BT person tells me things will get upgraded, eventually.
But not in time for the Cricket World Cup or the Ashes. Bother!
Thank you for responding.
MocoD
DarioFriday 25 February 2011 12:47AM
Any help is appreciated.
i have a dish cable to the flat i recently moved in. Question is If i simply get a freesat box and connect it to the dish cable , am i able to watch the channels ?
Unfortunately there's no aerial cable so i can't use freeview box .
Moco: Right, Llanrhaeadr-Ym-Mochnant is your only transmitter.
I'm afraid you won't get any more channels, and the situation will certainly not "will get upgraded, eventually".
This is a public service transmitter, and the commercial operators declined to operate from any of them. So, they will never carry the services you want.
I suggest you phone back BT and point this out to them and ask them why they are providing you with incorrect information. M
MocoFriday 25 February 2011 8:35AM
Oswestry
Thank you very much indeed.
Frustrating. But I'm not prepared to pay for Sky and the horrid dish that goes with it, nor move nearer to a decent mast, so I shall have to stick with what I've got.
BT Vision, while limited to the 18 channels, does at least mean I can record things and pause things, so it's just about worth it.
I know that, in the public interest, I ought to continue to talk to BT about their 'training' issues. I've already raised a couple of other issues where I've been given duff information. But, frankly, I've had enough for the time being. Moving house and getting this far has proved interesting, to say the least.
I'm old school, bash the tele to stop the black and white lines wobbling type of thing, so am grateful for a definitive answer here.
Many thanks
Moco
21:55
Buy Quad Output Universal LNB at Argos.co.uk - Your Online Shop for Free to air satellite.
