Want to cancel Sky but have free channels available.

July1962

I want to cancel my £21 per month Sky package.

I was looking at Freeview etc but a friend said as I already have a Sky box and satellite dish I'd still be able to get quite a few channels on that after cancelling.

Would I simply leave the Sky card in the box after cancellation?

Someone else said I'd have to pay £25 for a new card as a one-off payment. Is this necessary? Would I get a lot more channels if I do that?

I don't use Sky+ nor do I record anything.

I simply want to be able to watch a variety of channels but not have to pay a subscription or buy any new equipment.

Any advice gratefully received.

Browntoa

sky freesat for £25

http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/

July1962

Thank you Browntoa,

I saw that but was wondering if I could still get extra free channels without paying the one-off fee.

Browntoa

it appears yes

http://www.ukfree.tv/helpme.php?faqid=8

Matt: Provided that the feed from the dish is still operational then you do not require to do anything to receive the "free to view" channels as they are not dependant on anything being connected into the box with the exception of the coax feed from the dish being connected into the LNB1 position, if though you are using a Sky+ box then the LNB2 input does not require to be connected into the dish as its mostly used for recording purposes but which will not now apply since you cancelled the subscription.

The box will even work without the Sky card being inserted, as now the only purpose it serves is to enable you to view the correct regional news services for your area plus Sony TV (157), as although this a free channel the programme is encrypted.

July1962

Thank you for clarifying that

teddysmum

If your tv has Freeview and you have an aerial, you could access Freeview, too, though it's very similar to Freesat.

[Deleted User]

There is no need for anyone cancelling Sky to purchase any extra equipment to view Free-To-Air channels. The OP's Sky box and viewing card will continue to decode all of these channels. A Freesat-From-Sky card is only needed when the customer's old viewing card expires because Sky issue new viewing cards (usually only once every few years). Even then, the Sky Freesat card is only useful because it regionalises BBC and ITV local programming according to the former customer's postcode.

almillar

That £25 freesatfromsky you're hearing about is the same as what your current card will be after your subscription ends. DO NOT spend £25 on another card. Any Sky box with an expired subscription box is basically a freesatfromsky box.
Here are the channels that you can watch (but not record):
http://www.sky.com/shop/freesat/home/what-can-i-watch/

socks_uk

I agree with the last 2 posts... don't pay anything extra! You've probably already sorted it but for anyone else wanting to leave Sky to watch just the 'free' channels it's pretty simple...

Ring Sky to give your 30 days notice and STICK TO YOUR GUNS when they try to offer you half-price this and free that (unless they offer you something you're prepared to have.

Sky will tell you when your 30 days TV will finish and how much your last direct debit payment will be. I cancelled my direct debit after that payment came out. We've been Sky free since November and have managed ok without it as the only thing on Sky I watched was Stella (My daughter is recording the new series for me).

But saying that... I'm looking at the NOW TV box and seeing what it gives you... I think it has all the 'catch-up' channels so I could watch them on my TV rather than on my laptop. Still trying to find out more about it!

davemurgatroyd

Browntoa wrote: »

it appears yes

http://www.ukfree.tv/helpme.php?faqid=8

Matt: Provided that the feed from the dish is still operational then you do not require to do anything to receive the "free to view" channels as they are not dependant on anything being connected into the box with the exception of the coax feed from the dish being connected into the LNB1 position, if though you are using a Sky+ box then the LNB2 input does not require to be connected into the dish as its mostly used for recording purposes but which will not now apply since you cancelled the subscription.

The box will even work without the Sky card being inserted, as now the only purpose it serves is to enable you to view the correct regional news services for your area plus Sony TV (157), as although this a free channel the programme is encrypted.

On a Sky HD+ box lnb2 input does need connecting if you want a full EPG with all the synopses - the HD boxes need the second input to download this to the HDD. With only one input unless the box is left in standby for several hours before viewing then the downloaded EPG will not update.

Also note that with the HD boxes continued use of a viewing card is not required for regionalisation as the box "remembers" the regional settings of the last card that was used in it and cannot be reset without using a card from the required region. Note also that a viewing card (with known PIN) is required to view added "other channels" and to change any parental restrictions.

[Deleted User]

davemurgatroyd wrote: »

Also note that with the HD boxes continued use of a viewing card is not required for regionalisation

I wasn't aware of that change, so thanks for that...