Ditching Sky - what are the alternatives

Purple_kitten

For a long while now DH and I have been saying Sky is nothing but repeats, we went without Sky for the month and used Freeview via the Smart TV and it's OK thou the EPG doesn't really compare.

But today they sent through another price hike and that takes our bill to £44:eek: each month which is excessive for how we use it.

We flick about in an evening, we watch a movie at the weekend that's really all. We would miss the discovery channel.

Do you use Ilovefilm or Netflix maybe?

After having used Sky forever how do you get used to the rubbish EPG, as it didn't grow on me the more I used it the more annoying it got.:o

System

You could just use Youview and get iplayer, ITV Player, 5ondemand & 4od catchup (More coming). If you only use catchup you wont even have to buy a BBC TV Licence

Purple_kitten

Thanks but I can't see much difference between youview and Freeview, we have a Smart TV which has the iplayers with it.

Dan-Dan

freeview doesnt have catch up ? does it?

macman

The free alternatives are Freeview via an aerial, Freesat via a new box and your existing dish, or Freesat from Sky using your existing box and dish.
If you want Sky+ features you'll need a Freesat or Freeview PVR, if you want on-demand features then you'll need a YouView or FreeTime box for the platform that you are using.
Freeview has catch-up via the YouView option.

almillar

What macman says above ^
Freeview simply describes the digital terrestrial (aerial) TV platform. Some newer Freeview boxes may have catch up stuff built in (this will be a maze, maybe it has iPlayer, maybe it doesn't have 4oD) but YouView is a standardised platform, which integrates the on demand stuff into the TV guide, making it far easier to use. I also bet it'll be easier to use (and possibly also better quality picture) than your smart TV.
<freetime> is the Freesat equivalent of YouView, and will plug straight into where your Sky box goes. Many more channels than Freeview but with a couple missing (Dave, for example).
If you watch ONE film per week you're probably wasting money subscribing to Sky Movies. Try Film 4 (and of course the 'normal' channels) for films before subscribing, and consider paying per rental.

zarf2007

Purple_kitten wrote: »

Thanks but I can't see much difference between youview and Freeview, we have a Smart TV which has the iplayers with it.

That's what most people think but if you get it through BT you get a decent box (humax) with catchup players for the major channels and on demand from bt or sky now that can be subscribed to on a month by month basis. Also iptv channels such as discovery, E!, Comedy Central etc coming soon. Add to that pvr & and EPG that beats any smart tv and you'll see why sky will be worried soon.

VisionMan

zarf2007 wrote: »

That's what most people think but if you get it through BT you get a decent box (humax) with catchup players for the major channels and on demand from bt or sky now that can be subscribed to on a month by month basis. Also iptv channels such as discovery, E!, Comedy Central etc coming soon. Add to that pvr & and EPG that beats any smart tv and you'll see why sky will be worried soon.

Soon? Their worried about YouView NOW zarf2007.

1jim

We ditched sky over a year ago, bought a stand alone youview box and subscribed to lovefilm and Netflix (via blueray player) and don't miss sky at all. Have saved a small fortune in the last year on Sky's fees!

brewerdave

Can't see any overwhelming reason for staying with Sky now.......unless, like me, you are a sports nut.....BT aren't getting cricket or Formula 1 anytime soon plus the football selection isn't as compelling. Certainly wouldn't keep it for the movies.

Purple_kitten

Thanks for all of the responces, we are going to give notice to Sky, and use Freesat that's built in, and subscribe to ILovefilm maybe.

I am going to set up a ddebit so the money that we would have paid to sky goes into an isa instead better off with us than with them!