Sky - Blocking Freeview Channels

RoxieW

I'm with Sky on their minimum 2 mix package (variety and kids) at £17 per month. We only have it for the Sky+ - would just go freesat otherwise.

Anyway, has anyone else noticed that since they changed to the 'mix' system, they're blocking some freeview channels as they want to charge for them in the other mixes. IE I dont get any music channels as they charge for a music mix, nor channels such as Discoverys and the UKTV ie Style and Food.
I think this is really wrong of Sky as surely the idea of freeview channels is that they're 'free to view' (no???)

I haven't kicked up a fuss because I don't watch those channels regularly but it seems very sly. Can they charge you for freeview channels???

Has anyone tackled Sky about it?

rayday2

I went to cancel my sky to just view the freeview channels through my box which they said was possible.

But on my freeview box I have upstairs I only get I think TMF music channel and that is limited hours through the day so I don't get music channels on there either.

Lucy1982_2

I've not tackled Sky, but we have a their 2 mix thing and I'm sure that we get some music channels. Not all of them, but a few.

But I'm not sure if they were freeview ones anyway. Not much help I'm afraid.

Browntoa

and now they want to encrypt some freeview channels for pay TV

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/dtv/

The specific proposal involves a move from offering FTA services to offering pay TV services on DTT, and in particular, offering premium sports and movies content. This represents some of Sky’s most attractive content to pay TV subscribers on other digital television platforms (i.e. satellite and cable) and is content which is not currently available on DTT.

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/dtv/summary/

w00dy_2

IIRC Discovery and UK TV Style have never been "free to air", certainly not on Freeview (via a freeview box). I know some channels, such as Sky Sports News is free on Freeview but not free on Sky (its part of the news mix) so maybe some channels have become part of the Sky "mixes". But Discovery is on Freeview as part of "top up" TV which you have to pay for.

miss_corerupted

i don't get e4 or more 4 on my sky box (which i use as a freeview box) i was under the impression these were free but might be wrong

ZootHornRollo

we have never been able to view channel 4 +1 since it started broadcasting - picture is all blocky and distorted. i think we get all the other freeview channels but we are not on the basic sky package.

Lucy1982_2

I've just had a thought!!

We used to get FTN (A freeview channel) but it has recently gone off air, however it was owned by Virgin.

Maybe Virgin have pulled some of their channels after the 'issues' they had with Sky.