How long does Sky box receive basic channels after cancelling sub? 9 March 2019 at 6:20PM in TV MoneySaving 7 replies 971 views

aroominyork

When we cancelled our Sky subscription we were told (I forget by whom) that the box would still receive free to air channnels for two or four years (I forget which). The box has stopped receiving a satellite signal so can someone please tell me how long free to air continues after a sub ends, and how to double-check what is going on with the box? Thanks.

Neil_Jones

The box doubles up as a free to air receiver when you cancel your subscription and it should continue ad-infinitum until the cables go, the satellites fall out of the sky or the box breaks.

[Deleted User]

aroominyork wrote: »

The box has stopped receiving a satellite signal

This will be a mechanical fault due to the age of your equipment. It may even be that all that needs to be done is a simple re-alignment of your dish. It's also possible your decoder or cabling needs to be replaced.

Regardless, fully functioning ex-subscription Sky decoders will provide Free-To-Air channels indefinitely.

Rodders53

[QUOTE=Moneyineptitude;75564518Regardless,_fully_functioning_ex-subscription__Sky_decoders_will_provide_Free-To-Air_channels_indefinitely.[/QUOTE]
The only thing that will happen is incorrect regional TV channel assignment to the registered postcode on the viewing card if/when $ky swap the cards out for their subscribers. That's pretty infrequent, but the boxes will work without a card inserted anyway.

Note the latest $ky Q boxes are owned by $ky and only rented (like Virgin cable boxes) to the end user. So these might be taken back by $ky in the future or, potentially, disabled?:eek:

prowla

For a Sky satellite box you can just take out the card and it will work.

aroominyork

Thanks all. I took out the card (didn't work), put it back, twiddled every wire in sight and it's working.

About 50 years ago, when I was a kid, my grandparents' TV stopped working. My father said "give it a whack on the side", the equivalent in those days of restarting or twiddling wires. And hey presto!

flashg67

One of my cable connections at the box is dodgy and I've never got round to sorting it. It does lose signal if I nudge the box or dust it too vigorously, so I tend not to.....

[Deleted User]

aroominyork wrote: »

Thanks all. I took out the card (didn't work), put it back, twiddled every wire in sight and it's working.

Your cabling is at fault then. Make sure all the connections are tightened and free of any kinks.