Will sky switch off free to air in 2012?

martin57

Hi,

A sky rep ahs told me that sky will switch off all their freeview channels in the digital switchover and only way you can get them then is either through a sky subscription or through a settop box, is this correct?

thanks for any info
Martin57

Chimpofdoom

Doubtful as sky also do "Freesat from sky" which would use the free to air channels.

Probably just a way of getting you to sign up.

If it is true your cheapest option would be to go with a freesat box.

Kurtis_Blue

No they have no power or right to switch off fta transmissions from Astra2, even if they managed to block them from their epg I think they would be in breach of their licence.

spike7451

No chance Sky would ever do that.

almillar

Martin, I think you're getting confused, or else the Sky rep is!

The ANALOGUE TERRESTRIAL (aerial BBC1,2 ITV, C4, C5) transmissions are being switched off to allow for more bandwidth for FREEVIEW. THAT is the digital switchover.
After the digital switchover, you'll need a freeview TV or box, a Freesat TV or box, Sky, Virgin cable, or a free satellite receiver.

davemurgatroyd

Note people that the OP states Freeview and NOT freesat - the channels being Pick TV, Sky News and Challenge TV. All buy one of the replies above are referring to freesat - although the title does say FTA channels (of which there is only one on satellite which is Sky News). Who knows Sky may well switch off their Freeview terrestrial channels although I think it is highly unlikely as they are part owners of the Freeview platform. Everyone needs to be a little clearer on what exactly is being talked about - Sky's Freeview channels, FTA channels in general or Sky's own FTA and FTV channels.

Heinz

martin57, there are dozens of free to air channels on what most people refer to as Sky's satellite system (that's incorrect anyway because, although Sky pays Astra to transmit channels on its satellites, they don't own any).

Just remove your viewing card from your Sky box and you'll see what is truly free to air.

martin57

Heinz wrote: »

martin57, there are dozens of free to air channels on what most people refer to as Sky's satellite system (that's incorrect anyway because, although Sky pays Astra to transmit channels on its satellites, they don't own any).

Just remove your viewing card from your Sky box and you'll see what is truly free to air.

Thanks for all replies. I have no card in my sky digi box and very happy with the loads of free channels I am getting. The sky rep who called at my door mentioned that all of these would be no longer available on sky at the switchover only to sky subscribers, hence my post.

I told him that I might go back to sky sometime but if they ever did that there was no way I would ever go back.

Glad to hear that I will still get all the free channels that I am already getting.

Thanks a lot again
Martin57

elaine12022

I have had no problems with the free channels on my sky box since our area went digital.

samba

martin57 wrote: »

I told him that I might go back to sky sometime but if they ever did that there was no way I would ever go back.

The guy blatantly lied to you in order to get you to sign up.

brewerdave

martin57 wrote: »

Thanks for all replies. I have no card in my sky digi box and very happy with the loads of free channels I am getting. The sky rep who called at my door ............

AHA - that explains it ..an infamous door knocker! Do they EVER tell the truth?:rotfl: