Do I need SKY ????

portchieboy

As someone who really doesnt understand, can some kind MSEer just clarify for me.

I have had SKY for 3 or 4 years, and am presently paying about £36 monthly, for all channels except film. The kids have left home, and I really do not watch enough Sky Sport to warrant the package....though it will be a shame to lose Soccer AM!

I think now, looking at previous posts that I am paying much of that money for stuff I can access on FTA? Is there any way I can emulate FTA to test things....the wife would kill me if I screwed it up. I have tried removing the Sky card, and on this basis, for example, I lose Channels 4 and 5, and Performance, which I thought were all FTA?

I will no doubt phone to cancel and be offered a deal, but I want to be certain that at the end of the day, I am confident to cancel anyway.

Many thanks for your patience even in reading this drivel !!!!
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tryingtosave_3

I'm sure I read advice on this either in another thread or in an article - I think it suggested firstly keeping a TV diary and seeing which channels you really watch.

Once you've established this, you can look at alternatives. Unfortunately, short of borrowing someone else's freeview box, you can't really find out exactly which channels you can view with terrestrial freeview.

You can check if it's available in your area (http://www.freeview.co.uk/ ) and which channels are actually on freeview, but even in an area with good signal strength you might have problems - i.e. need a new aerial. If you can borrow someone else's freeview box you can really find out!

The other thing would be free sat (which might be what you were thinking of in any case!!). I'm not as sure about this - if you've been with sky long enough, I think (think!!) you get to keep your dish when you cancel. This site might help http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/ - in the FAQs they imply that someone with the kit just needs a £20 free-sat card from them to view.

Also this thread on Digital Spy Forum might be a useful FAQ
http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/showthread.php?t=169547

Edit: on the above link, Q14 might be the answer (unofficial of course) you're looking for:

Q14. If I cancel my Sky subscription will I get any channels at all?
A. Yes. You'll get all the FTA channels and, providing you keep your card, you will receive the FTV channels too.