Replacing Sky media package - tech help, please!

RainbowsInTheSpray

Hi guys. Forgive an old, non-tech savvy person for probably asking idiotic questions. I'm having a hard time understanding what's involved here and I'm not getting much help elsewhere.

About 5 years ago we left BT and joined Sky on their TV Essentials package plus landline and unlimited broadband. A guy came and installed a satellite dish. We still have an aerial socket and.an aerial which was working fine at that time and probably still is.

We don't watch any of the extra cost Sky channels like sport etc., nor do we download pay per view films. Gaming, what's that?

We do appreciate being able to access a good range of catch up/streaming and the ability to pause/rw/ff broadcast TV.

What is involved technically here? Does the dish remain if we leave Sky and can we use it in any sense? Do we have to use the aerial with some kind of box? 

I'd be so grateful if someone in the know with these things could PM me and talk me through what we could do here to retain a broadly like-for-like service.

Vitor

If you cancel TV Essentials, the dish stays, but the Sky Q box stops working, or at least loses most of its functions (like pause/rewind or catch-up)

Options to keep a similar service:
- Freesat box (uses your existing dish) You’ll keep most of the same channels you’re used to and can buy a box with pause/rewind and streaming apps. No monthly cost after buying the box.
- Freeview box or Freeview TV (uses your aerial)Similar channel range to Freesat, also free. Needs a working digital aerial and strong signal.
- Stay with Sky but switch to a cheaper package (if available)
- Alternative broadband provider (if you want to leave Sky completely). Plenty of choices like BT, Plusnet, EE, TalkTalk, etc.