Leaving Sky TV

A question about : Leaving Sky TV

Hi all,

First time poster here. Over the last year, we have found that we are watching less and less TV, and most of the channels we do watch are on Freeview. So, it occurs to me that the Ј20 a month that is going on out basic Sky TV package is a bit of a waste.

However, we have a Sky+ box which we rely upon and we dont want to lose that functionality.

I've heard all sorts of different things about if we cancel our Sky subscription.

1. Will we still be able to record the freeview channels (I think not)
2. Is there a card we can buy that will allow us to carry on using our Sky+ box as a recorder?
3. What will happen to the programs we still have on there (that we haven't got around to watching yet)?

My line rental is currently with BT and our broadband is also with BT, so cancelling the Sky should not cause any other issues.

If anyone has any other suggestions, let me know.

Thanks all,

Paul

Best answers:

• I believe
  a. you will lose the recordings you have made from any Sky channels once you stop subscribing.
  b. You cans use the box to receive non subscription channels but will have to pay (Ј10 per month?) to use the box to do so
  c. You won't be able to use the recording function so you may think buying a PVR is., other than in the short term, a better bet.
• The box will continue to receive all the Sky FTA channels (Freesat From Sky).
  The Sky+ functions will cease to work and you will lose access to existing recordings. If you pay Sky Ј10 a month you can retain these functions. But at Ј120pa you'd be much better off just buying a Humax Foxsat PVR (from Richer Sounds) and using that to get the Freesat platfrom for free (which will of course include the 4 HD channels). This uses your existing dish and LNB and is just a straight box swap.
  Sky TV has nothing to do with Sky phone and broadband services, you can still have Sky phone and broadband without a TV sub.
• As above - you'll have 'freesatfromsky' when you cancel. This doesn't include recording. DON'T buy any cards, you've already got one. Think about the money you'll save in a year in subs costs, then buy either a FreesatHD+ (using the 2 Sky feeds) or FreeviewHD+ box, to get HD recording.
• I would also like some help on this topic. I have recently canceled sky in the hope to still receive freesat from sky through the box. I haven't been able to get any channels, the sky menu comes up but no signal to receive any channels.
  I am able to get channels on the freeview tv, but wondering if i need to do anything to the sky box to start it up. It's been connected since we canceled the subscription, on the setting menu it has nothing on the signal strength page. I have rebooted by unplugging and then plugging back in but didnt do anything.
  Hope this makes sense and someone has some solutions.
  Thanks in advance.
• Just ending your Sky subscription does not stop the box receiving free channels (e.g. 101, 102, 103, 501 etc.).
  Sounds like your dish has moved or the cable(s) from it have been cut.
• oh no!
  I will disconnect everything and try again. Thanks anyway.
• dont you have to give the box back to sky?
  i thought you just rented the box from them
  i dont know as i am with virgin.
  however if i cancelled they would come and take their box back.
• No, the box is yours from day one of your contract, as is all the equipment.
  With VM it is never yours, it's leased.
• Thanks for the advice all. It seems there are two choices.
  Continue to pay Sky Ј10 a month for the ability to still use the Sky+ box. Or, scrap the Sky+ box and buy a freesat recorder, although that is a couple of hundred quid.
  Someone else told me about a 3rd option, where I simply buy a freesat card, which goes into my Sky+ box and allows me to receive and record the freeview channels.
  Anyone any ideas about this?
• Yes, I dont just want to view the channels, I want to record them like I currently do with my Sky+ box
• As already advised, you can't do that with FFS unless you pay Ј10 a month forever. A Freesat PVR is the solution, one-off cost only.
• You've got confused about the 3rd option. A 'freesatfromsky' card is what you're thinking of, but it's just the same as your card will be when you cancel your subscription. So DO NOT buy a card. The ONLY way to record on your sky box is pay AT LEAST Ј10 per month. I'm sure you can get a Humax Foxsat refurbished for Ј180, anyone know of them any lower?
• Can't see a Foxsat below Ј189 on Humax Direct:
  https://www.humaxdirect.co.uk/prodCat...ctory&type=sat