Changing from Sky to freeview?

back_on_track

Hiya
I have decided that I'm going to cancel my Sky TV package, firstly to save me some money, and secondly, as Freeview will soon be in my area.

I currently have no Freeview signal at all, but it says on their website that after switchover in my area on 31st March, I will have all the channels available

I am just wondering the best way to switch between the two. Do I get my aerial installed first, and do the process of switchover in March.
Or
Do I do it after switchover, when I have stopped using sky (not sure what notice I have to give them? does anyone know off hand?)
Would it make any difference doing it after switchover?

I'm just worrying that, what if I cancel sky, and buy my aerial for Freeview and after switchover, the signal is so bad, or not working at all! arghh
If it says its available in your area, that still doesnt mean you will have a good enough signal to watch your channels does it?
Or am I just being paranoid lol!

Oh and can anyone tell me where I should be getting an aerial from? and if poss a rough idea of price.
Thanks

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

I think the notice period for Sky is 30 days.

You do know that once you cancel Sky, you'll still get all the FreesatFromSky channels. Just pull out your viewing card to see what channels you'll be left with.

If you want to record, you could go the Freesat route. You would have to buy a new box and to record you'd need a Freesat+ box, but if you wanted to record Freeview you'd have to buy a Freeview PVR anyway. Freesat boxes are a straight swap with your Sky box, a Freesat+ box if you've got Sky+.

geoffW

You would be much better off just watching the free channels on your sky box than wasting money on a new aerial for freeview. Your skycard will still work in the box after you cancel and there is much more free channels on sky than freeview.
Also a few months after cancelling you will likely get special offers from Sky, like half price sky for 6/12 months if you decide to return.

back_on_track

Oh OK, thanks for that. I didn't even realize that Sky did Freesat channels.

I have a Sky plus box currently as I love the record/pause features. Very handy. So would have to look into getting a box to do the same with the free channels. I would need a Freesat recorder right?

So do I cancel my Sky subscription, and just watch whats left? or do I need to actually tell them that I want to switch to their Free channels? Does it cost anything apart from buying a box to record/pause etc?
Are the Free channels all randomly mixed with the subscription ones?

Sorry for the somewhat simple questions! but I really have no idea! Thanks for your help.

valentina

I think you can pay sky £10 per month and use the sky+ box to record free channels?

macman

back_on_track wrote: »

Oh OK, thanks for that. I didn't even realize that Sky did Freesat channels.

I have a Sky plus box currently as I love the record/pause features. Very handy. So would have to look into getting a box to do the same with the free channels. I would need a Freesat recorder right?

So do I cancel my Sky subscription, and just watch whats left? or do I need to actually tell them that I want to switch to their Free channels? Does it cost anything apart from buying a box to record/pause etc?
Are the Free channels all randomly mixed with the subscription ones?

Sorry for the somewhat simple questions! but I really have no idea! Thanks for your help.

No, Freesat from Sky is not the same as Freesat. Different channel line up, though similar. Once you cancel your sub the box wlil give you the !!!!!! channels only.
If you cancel your Sky sub you lose the Sky+ PVR functions unless you continue to pay £10 a month. So in that case better to get a Freesat PVR such as the Humax Foxsat HDR. That is a straight box swap and will give you all the PVR functions plus 3 (soon to be 4) HD channels.
It's entirely free, just the one-off box cost.

back_on_track

I don't want to be paying anything per month, so I don't think I will keep the functions on the Sky+ box if I have to pay to do so, but thanks for letting me know its an option.

So can I buy a freesat box that records, and use it through my cables from the Sky dish, and with the sky free channels? Or do I have to forget the sky channels, and go for the other Freesat provider? Do I make sense!
Is it just a matter of different channels when deciding between SkyFreeSat or the other Freesat?

macman

Yes, a Freesat box is a a straight swap as already advised, you just need a twin feed from the LNB, which you already have if you have Sky+.
You will not get any 'Sky free channels' via Freesat, you will be on the Freesat platform, with similar but not identical channel line up. Freesat has nothing to do with Sky.
!!!!!! will not give you any PVR functions unless you pay £10 a month.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

There are more channels on FreesatFromSky, but whether they're actually worth watching is another matter.

I'd go with macman and go the Freesat route. The full channel listing on Freesat can be found from the link in my earlier post.

back_on_track

OK I think I get it now............finally eh!

Thanks for explaining it all to me. You have been very helpful. :T