Switch sky to freeview

sabelu

My mother in law does not need sky and wants to see only the main channels and Bbc news etc. if she cancels sky can she as a pensioner get any support to add a freeview aerial?

jem16

sabelu wrote: »

My mother in law does not need sky and wants to see only the main channels and Bbc news etc. if she cancels sky can she as a pensioner get any support to add a freeview aerial?

Does she need Freeview or is it only the ability to watch channels? If so she can cancel Sky and continue to use her Sky box to view. She will get the channels listed here from Freesat from Sky. Slightly different to Freeview.

http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/what-can-i-watch/

sabelu

she has an old sky box one of the originals pre hd

jem16

sabelu wrote: »

she has an old sky box one of the originals pre hd

Is that a problem? Does she need HD?

googler

sabelu wrote: »

she has an old sky box one of the originals pre hd

I have a pre HD sky-type box, and I get the free satellite channels no bother ... She doesn't need 'freesat from Sky' or any subscription, just the dish and digibox

Heinz

Just tell her to cancel her Sky subscription and LEAVE THE CARD IN.

That way not only will she still be able to watch her local 101, 102, 103, 104, 105 and 503 but also a number of other channels (most of which, by the sound of it, she won't want).

She does not need a terrestrial aerial, the channels she wants will remain available to her via her Sky box.

bbb_uk

Years ago when I tried that, I was asked to purchase a freesat from sky card to replace my Sky card to receive those channels available from freesat from sky which Sky claimed not all channels are available when you just 'cancel' your sky sub.

Things may have changed since then though.

** update **
Just found this FAQ on Skys Freesat from Sky:

I already have Sky digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?
All you need to gain access to the free channels available on the digital satellite platform is a Freesat from Sky viewing card, which costs just £25. If you’d like to access the interactive services available, you’ll also need a working phone line. To purchase a viewing card please phone Sky on 08448 244 400.

googler

bbb_uk wrote: »

Years ago when I tried that, I was asked to purchase a freesat from sky card to replace my Sky card to receive those channels available from freesat from sky which Sky claimed not all channels are available when you just 'cancel' your sky sub.

They may have some extra channels on Freesat that aren't available on a Free-to-air basis, but I'll bet they're not any of the mainstream ones

jem16

bbb_uk wrote: »

Years ago when I tried that, I was asked to purchase a freesat from sky card to replace my Sky card to receive those channels available from freesat from sky which Sky claimed not all channels are available when you just 'cancel' your sky sub.

Things may have changed since then though.

** update **
Just found this FAQ on Skys Freesat from Sky:

When you cancel Sky, your Sky viewing card automatically becomes a Freesat from Sky card.

See this thread.

http://helpforum.sky.com/t5/Sky-Box-White/Had-to-cancel-Sky-package-as-too-skint-but-how-do-I-get-FreeSat/td-p/155617/page/2

Heinz

I already have Sky digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?

All you need to gain access to the free channels available on the digital satellite platform is a Freesat from Sky viewing card, which costs just £25. If you’d like to access the interactive services available, you’ll also need a working phone line. To purchase a viewing card please phone Sky on 0844 824 4400.

That's just Sky trying to squeeze a final £25 out of subscribers who pluck up the resolve to leave when, as jem16 says, there is absolutely no need to purchase such a card.

[Deleted User]

Heinz wrote: »

That's just Sky trying to squeeze a final £25 out of subscribers who pluck up the resolve to leave when, as jem16 says, there is absolutely no need to purchase such a card.

The only time it's necessary to buy a Freesat From Sky card is when Sky routinely change the viewing cards for all customers (which doesn't happen often).