Sky Cards

[rov1200]

I have seen notices that the sky card is to be replaced. Our existing card has been going for about 3 years. Although we have a satellite box and dish we do not want subscription channels, only those free-to view. How do we get this new card as I assume the current one will soon become obsolete and will we have to pay for it?

[anotheoldgit]

Where have you seen that the old card will soon be obsolete?

I also have had the original card for years, but if they do get rid of them the best choice is a one off payment for a freesat card.

http://www.satshop.co.uk/section38/product318/ Sky-freesat-card.html?gclid=CODF0dCq1ZsCFd4B4w odQhE2LA

[rov1200]

They are definitely being replaced. In fact if you use your handset to view the item it is taking place right now. The reason why they change the cards is because hackers find a way of using the card to watch illegal stations.

In fact this is our second card. Although the first one worked for many of the channels we could not get Ch4 or Ch5 so the upgrade. It may be similar this time!

[Buenchico]

You've used the term 'free-to-view' in your post but your reference to the absence of C4 and Five suggests that you might be unaware of the difference between 'free to air' (FTA) and 'free to view' (FTV) channels.

The vast majority of the free satellite channels fall into the 'FTA' category. They're not encrypted and you should be able to receive them via any Sky box, even without a valid viewing card in it.

A few channels are 'FTV'. Those channels are encrypted, so they can only be received when a valid card is inserted into the Sky box. At one time C4 was FTV, but it's now FTA. Hardly any FTV channels remain; the only significant exception is the 'Five' group (i.e. Five, Five US, Fiver and their '+1' channels).

If you can live without those few FTV channels you definitely won't need a new card for your Sky box. You'll still be able to get all other free (FTA) channels.

If you require the 'Five' group, you might need to buy a new card. Up until recently Sky have been selling 'Freesat from Sky' cards for �20 (or �19.57 after the temporary VAT cut came into effect). However anyone trying to access the 'Freesat from Sky' website is now directed to the main Sky website, where a search for 'Freesat' produces no results. So it looks like Sky have abandoned their version of Freesat (which is not to be confused with the separate 'Freesat' service offered jointly by the BBC and ITV).

I suggest doing absolutely nothing for the time being. You should definitely be able to continue receiving the vast majority of free channels irrespective of any changes to viewing cards. If you suddenly lose the 'Five' group (which I actually think will be unlikely) it might be worth investigating alternative cards, such as the one linked to by Anotheoldgit.

Chris