New Sky Card

pineapple

I've had Sky Freesat for years. Now I hear that new cards are being sent out. Does anyone know whether us 'free' customers will get one too? Also I have a viewing card which I purchased on moving from subscription and never used. Would that work if the old card stops?

Pokerlad

No all cards will be killed at switch over. If you bought it off Sky as a FreeSatFrom Sky card in the last 3 years then you should get a replacement. If it was just a card that was left over when you cancelled your subscription or bought over 3 years ago then unfortunately you will need to buy a new one from Sky to get the FTV channels. They are £20.

Pokerlad

Yes your right you can pick up all FTA channels without a card. However the OP mentioned they was using a card at the moment so assumed they needed it for FTV channels namely Sky3, Five Life and Five US otherwise why have it. If you dont watch any of them channels then you are right there are unencrypted versions of ITV, CH4 and 5 if you programme the parameters into the other channels list.

mollypoppy

Is there not a free way to gain access to these channels without the £9.99 charge.

Pokerlad

What does the 9.99 charge you talk about relate to?

Inactive

Pokerlad wrote: »

No all cards will be killed at switch over. If you bought it off Sky as a FreeSatFrom Sky card in the last 3 years then you should get a replacement. If it was just a card that was left over when you cancelled your subscription or bought over 3 years ago then unfortunately you will need to buy a new one from Sky to get the FTV channels. They are £20.

Are you sure about that?.... I was told that only contract cards are being replaced and that ther old blue cards would still work as FreesatfromSky cards.

This info was from a Sky Sub-Contractor,

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Stubert wrote: »

How do you get a sky box to work without a card?

The card only gives you Sky 3, FIVER and FIVE US. Unless you watch them, why bother.

FIVE can be added manually into 'Other Channels.'

Pokerlad

Inactive wrote: »

Are you sure about that?.... I was told that only contract cards are being replaced and that ther old blue cards would still work as FreesatfromSky cards.

This info was from a Sky Sub-Contractor,

The purpose of the change over is to change the encryption keys. Once all cards are changed the new encrytion keys will be implemented and the old cards will not be able to de-crypt the FTV channels. Like has been said these are Sky 3, Fiver and Five US.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

This is from the Sky viewing help website -

Who will receive a new Sky viewing card?

We'll be replacing all Pay TV providers' viewing cards.

If you do not subscribe to a Pay TV provider but use a Sky viewing card to access free to air channels, you won't automatically receive a replacement card. However, over the next few months you'll receive a message on your TV screen with instructions on how you can obtain a new card.

ioscorpio

Phantom Flan Flinger

Are they the only extra channels you get with buying a card,. Sky 3, FIVER and FIVE US and what is the likelihood of them changing to free to air in the future?

My daughter had SKY installed at my house 3 months ago but has now moved out and transferred her subscription to her new address. I have just been given a SKY+ box and a viewing card, but it says the card is the wrong one for the box ??? so I don't want to bother buying a new card if it's not worth it. I currently get channel 4 104,but not channel 5 105, so I added C5 to other channels. If it's free to air, why is it not listed as 105? I have done a BACK UP so hopefully it should now have the latest software and I have connected the phone line.

I read somewhere that if you leave the card in for 24 - 72 hours it should update the card. It's been in for 24 hours but still can't get C5 as 105.

Spoke to SKY engineer who was doing transfer to daughter's new address who said that "Wrong Card" meant that SKY had de-activated the card.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

ioscorpio wrote: »

Are they the only extra channels you get with buying a card,. Sky 3, FIVER and FIVE US and what is the likelihood of them changing to free to air in the future?

Yes, AFAIA that's the only channels. I've heard nothing to say they'll be FTA any time soon.

My daughter had SKY installed at my house 3 months ago but has now moved out and transferred her subscription to her new address. I have just been given a SKY+ box and a viewing card, but it says the card is the wrong one for the box ??? so I don't want to bother buying a new card if it's not worth it. I currently get channel 4 104,but not channel 5 105, so I added C5 to other channels. If it's free to air, why is it not listed as 105? I have done a BACK UP so hopefully it should now have the latest software and I have connected the phone line.

C5 won't appear on the EPG until there's a proper card inserted. We did manage to do it to our box at work by inserting a known subscription card, which brought C5 onto the EPG. Without the card we can see what's coming on, but we need to go to 'Other channels' to view.