Freeview

[TEAK36]

Hi, I know this question has been asked before, but I can't seem to find it when I search.

I currently have a Sky minidish and subscribe to several Sky TV packages. Most of the channels I watch are available on Freeview, so I was thinking about cancelling my Sky subscription and saving a bit of cash.

If I do this, will I still be able to view the freeview channels through the minidish and my existing Sky digibox?

[stoofur]

No. To get Freeview you will need a Freeview decoder box which are from around �20 and an aerial. Usually a standard ariel will be ok. But I believe you can receive Freesat through your dish but from what I have heard it is not as good as Freeview.

[jon1968]

Whoooa, I'd take ^^^ that ^^^ with a pinch of salt. I�m pretty much in the same boat as you TEAK, if it wasn�t for the sport and �24� I�d have binned sky long ago!

Anyhoo, you can get a �Freesat� card from Sky for �20 which will work with your existing equipment and it gives you many more channels than a freeview box. Be prepared for a battle when you try to cancel though! ;-)

Have a look here and scroll down to �I already have digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?�

[Panic Button]

Sorry. Both are wrong.

I have done it.

There is no cost involved. When you cancel your existing Sky viewing card becomes a Freesat card, at no charge.

You must be out of your original years contract, and you just ring and give notice.

They will pass you on to the Department For Stopping Customers Leaving. A nice lady will try to talk you out of it, with offers of discounts for 3 or 6 months, which you might consider, but eventually you can break away and watch all Free channels.

[Panic Button]

Oh, and I have got Freeview through digiboxes on other TVs. Nowhere near as good.

You cannot beat the Sky system. Just put all the channels you watch into favourites, so you avoid trawling through the hundreds of channels you cannot watch.

[jon1968]

I stand corrected PB, always good to learn something! However, that�d mean that Sky lied to me! Surely they wouldn�t do that!? Lol

I spoke to that �nice lady� at sky when I cancelled my film option but wished to keep the rest - we got to the point of me threatening to dump the lot and switch to Freesat if she didn�t do as she was bloody told ! Sneaky bu99ers! ;-)

[Panic Button]

The good thing about having Freeview on other TVs is that there are a couple of channels which are not available on Sky Freesat, but are on terrestrial Freeview.

Notably Sky Sports News (although you get Setanta Sports News on Freesat)

Also Dave is not on Freesat, but is on Freeview.

[stoofur]

I don't understand why I was wrong Panic Button?