Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

I have cancelled my Sky account today. I just don't really need the extra channels anymore.

However I do want freeview and I wondered if my Sky box will still work and pick up just the freeview channels? I know there is freesat from Sky so I was hoping this would be what I move onto?

Thanks!

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

It'll still pick up all the FTA (free to air) channels without a card.

For the FTV (free to view) channels it needs a card. AFAIK this can be a "freesat from Sky" card *or* your current cancelled card.

NB: If it's a + box, you will no longer have any Sky+ functionality without a subscription.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

You will still receive all the Freesat from Sky channels , however next time Sky upgrade their viewing cards you would have to buy a new one to continue to receive the full FTV range on Freesat from Sky , they generally only do it once every couple of years. If your STB is a PVR you will lose the recordable function.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Sell your Sky+ box and get a Freesat+ one. If you buy a used FS one you'd most likely break even.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

I have a freesat recorder box, which is fine. But I noticed a Freesat box with on demand advertised on TV. Could I have mine updated for this. Do I have to go to the expence of buying another box.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Have a look here nash: http://www.freesat.co.uk/how-to/faqs/on-demand
It seems that it depends upon the Freesat box you have :)

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

You own your Freesat box. If you want a new one, you need to go out and buy it - nobody from Freesat is going to come and take your old one away and just give you a new one.

---------- Post added at 15:47 ---------- Previous post was at 15:44 ----------

I've only had my Sky viewing card swapped once in the 8 years I've owned the box.

All the free-to-view channels you would ever actually want to see are now all fully free-to-air so a Sky box will work well enough without a card. The only drawback is that Sky stores your regionalisation data on the card so without it you can't get the correct regions on 101 and 103, unless you live in London which is where it defaults to.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Thanks willl have a look ;)

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Freesat Freetime is only on generation 2 boxes (of which their is only one), there is no upgrade process.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

A Freesat for Sky viewing does unlock more FTA channels (can't remember which ones) and costs £10.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Channels are on this link http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/what-can-i-watch/

---------- Post added at 13:40 ---------- Previous post was at 13:38 ----------

One thing i would like to know about FSFS is that as its a SkyHD Box and Sky EPG, will the EPG show all channels on Sky or just the FSFS Channels?

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

It shows all the channels and is a bit of a pain in the nuts. We had a FSFS box until recently. You could get round it to an extent by using the Favourites menu but if you want to just channel hop up or down the masses of unsubscribed channels do get in the way.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Thats a ball ache. Sahme you cant use FSFS card in a normal Freesat box

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

If he has just cancelled his Sky sub then his card will act as one of these anyway.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Cheers everyone!

Can a Freesat box work with the Sky satellite? Ariel has always been dodgy in our house which is why I am keen to maintain the connection...

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Yep as simple as just plugging it in. :)

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

The two services use the same signals from the same satellites.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Ive been looking at Freesat as an alternitive if i cant afford Sky or VM. Im not sure which Freesat servie is better, normal Freeesat or Freesat from Sky. Anyone know which is beter? Also why is Dave not on Freesat but on Freeview? Thats one of the main reasons i dont like Freesat at momen

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Thanks for the link. I looked up my box number & it said on demand was coming soon with my box. ;)

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

The only benefit that is really claimed for FreesatFromSky so far as I can see is that it gives you an upgrade path if you later decide to subscribe - Sky will be able to 'hit' the subscriber card in your Sky box to convert it into a fully-functioning Sky box. I don't see how that's any kind of benefit though, because the chances are if you ever decide you want Sky you'll find someone offering free installation and you will then have a free Sky box and a second Freesat box you can put in a spare room.

The downsides of FSFS - and they are major IMO - are that in the meantime, all the Sky channels are in the FSFS EPG, which makes navigating by channel up/down a right PITA; and if you have a Sky+ box working in so-called 'free'sat mode you still need to pay Sky a monthly fee to keep the record functionality working.

I have just upgraded from an old Sky Pace SD box that has been operating in FSFS mode for the past 3 years, to a Freesat PVR. I have the Echostar box which has Sling functionality built in (very handy for streaming the box to a computer elsewhere in the house via WiFi LAN). Also we have had Freesat in our holiday flat for some years now.

I much prefer 'proper' Freesat to Sky's offering. The EPG is uncluttered by channels I can't get and, best of all, I can record as much as I darned well like without paying anybody a penny.

Dave does not appear on any free satellite service. The channel is encrypted and subject to an exclusive satellite carriage deal with Sky. That deal does not extend to terrestrial broadcast so they put it out in the clear on Freeview, but they have no plans to upset the apple cart with Sky and do the same on Freesat. Believe me, lots of people have asked them, me included. Who knows though, if enough people eventually have a Freesat box they may feel there is more to be gained by reaching a bigger audience than there is by taking the shilling from Sky to keep the channel locked up.

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Cheers everyone! Might change to a Freesat box so I can continue to record and have iPlayer on there too...

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Thanks for the info Chris

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

They phoned and offered 50% off, no contract, for a year. So staying with them. :D

Re: Cancelled Sky. Can I still use it for Freeview?
 

Nice outcome , glad it worked out for you.