I cancelled Sky, will the box work at all?

sar050680

As stated, I've cancelled my Sky subscription. It runs out on the 30th of Oct, what I need to know is will I be able to view any channels at all through the existing Sky box and dish when the subscription ends or should I be thinking about getting a freeview or freesat box.

Anyone already done this?

Many thanks.

MrsBartolozzi

I've heard from posters here, that after your subs runs out Sky send a "kill" signal to your box periodically for about 3 months. This will render any Sky+ programs saved on your box unwatchable. It has been said that if your switch your box off on 30th Oct and leave it off for 3 months you will be able to watch the programs in February.
I have no idea whether this would work or not, but might be worth a shot.



Alternatively you can ask Sky for a Freesat viewing card (there may be a small charge) and you can then watch Freesat on your TV with your existing box for free.

gjchester

It should revert to as a "freesat from Sky" mode box, you'll not get "freesat" but most of the channel. What's the difference, not a lot you get a few more channels that real freesat but essentially Sky are hoping to entice you back to a Sky subscription.

May be a good idea to call them and be sure that your card will revert to freesat from sky once you cancel otherwise you may have to buy a viewing card at £20 or so.

If it's Sky Plus any saved recordings will be unwatchable, they are recorded encrypted so after the card is turned off it will be unable to play the recordings back.

You well also lose the ability to record on a Sky plus box unless you pay Sky £10 a month for the subscription as a recorder.

cifpower

MrsBartolozzi wrote: »

I've heard from posters here, that after your subs runs out Sky send a "kill" signal to your box periodically for about 3 months. This will render any Sky+ programs saved on your box unwatchable. It has been said that if your switch your box off on 30th Oct and leave it off for 3 months you will be able to watch the programs in February.
I have no idea whether this would work or not, but might be worth a shot.



Alternatively you can ask Sky for a Freesat viewing card (there may be a small charge) and you can then watch Freesat on your TV with your existing box for free.

Hi

No that's all wrong.

When you contract ends you can watch all non-subscription channels. Take your card out and have a look at what you will get.

The box is yours to keep. If it develops a fault, however, up to you to resolve and not Sky

[Deleted User]

MrsBartolozzi wrote: »

I've heard from posters here, that after your subs runs out Sky send a "kill" signal to your box periodically for about 3 months. This will render any Sky+ programs saved on your box unwatchable. It has been said that if your switch your box off on 30th Oct and leave it off for 3 months you will be able to watch the programs in February..

This is all nonsense, I'm afraid.
The kill signal just removes the ability to receive any subscription channels and it's sent once not every three months. Sky+ functions are disabled unless the OP continues to pay Sky £10+ per month to keep them. Any recordings made prior to cancellation are not viewable unless the Sky+ subscription is retained.


No need to call Sky, all of the cancellation process is automatic and there will be a very large amount of channels still available to view (including the Free-to-air HD versions of the terrestrial channels if the OP has a HD box).

The box and equipment remains the property of the customer.

Heinz

Leave the card in after your subscription ends. That will continue to 'regionalise' 101 and 103 (so you'll still be able to view your local news etc.).

sar050680

Thank you all for your replies, looks like I will just stick with my sky box and see how it goes.

Cheers all.

[Deleted User]

sar050680 wrote: »

I will just stick with my sky box and see how it goes.

It'll go just fine. You might miss the recording features and some of the subscription channels, but you won't get a better selection of Free-To-Air channels on Freeview or Freesat.
You might want to consider Freesat as an option at some stage, however, as this will allow you to record without subscription.

st999

My brother, when he got Sky +, kept his old Sky box and VHS recorder.

When he became widowed he hardly watched Sky, it was his wife who watched the Sky channels, so he cancelled his Sky subscription.

He has now connected his old Sky box to the LNB and connected his VHS recorder back to the Sky box so if he wants to watch one channel and record another he can.

His TV also has freeview.

If he really wants to watch a Sky subscription channel he either visits me or I record it and put it on VHS tape for him.

I kept my VHS recorder as well.

yangptangkipperbang

Moneyineptitude wrote: »

This is all nonsense, I'm afraid.
The kill signal just removes the ability to receive any subscription channels and it's sent once not every three months.

That isn't strictly true either.

There is no "kill" signal. Sky merely remove the capability of your card/box being able to decrypt its programmes - you still receive them.
Anything you record is recorded in its "raw" state, so if you end your Sky subscription you will still have the previously recorded Sky programmes on your box but you will not be able to decrypt them to view them. Any free to air recorded programmes are, of course, still viewable.

[Deleted User]

yangptangkipperbang wrote: »

There is no "kill" signal. Sky merely remove the capability of your card/box being able to decrypt its programmes - you still receive them.

There is a signal sent to the card via the box which negates the card's capability of allowing the decoding of subscription channels. I only used the term "kill signal" in response to someone who used that phrase.