Sky TV?

[Chickadee]

My parents have the above and are thinking of cancelling.

If they do, do Sky take back the aerial and box? Or when you join Sky do you in effect buy these?

Only asking 'cos Dad thinks he is going to have to get a new aerial and rewire it.

Does anyone know?

Thanks all

[jubieanna]

no they leave it. so your dad should be able to recieve free channels through it

[cazzz1975]

you would have to look at your initial contract, I think you can keep the equipment after 12 months of sky membership but not sure if you can before the 12 months

[Chickadee]

thanks guys

[VHG]

Sky does not come through an aerial but a dish.

I believe sky leave the dish and box with you to do with what you want (hoping I guess that you will rejoin Sky one day).

If he has an aerial in the house then he can continue to use that to watch "normal" TV.

If they do leave Sky they can buy a Freesat card from Sky for about £25 (one off payment, no monthly fee) to let them watch over 200 free channels via their existing Sky box. More here:

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

From the FAQ:

Q. I already have Sky digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?

A. All you need to gain access to the free channels available on the digital satellite platform is a Freesat from Sky viewing card, which costs just £25. If you’d like to access the interactive services available, you’ll also need a working phone line. To purchase a viewing card please phone Sky on 08448 244 400.

[LCDMAN]

If you cancel a Sky subscription then your Sky card card reverts to being a "Freesat from Sky" card anyway. No need to buy another - just leave it in the box and get the 200 "free to air" (i.e. all the unscrambled) channels. If it's a Sky+ box then you loose the ability to record anything (or watch previously recorded programmes) as that requires an active Sky subscription.

[modeller]

One thing to remember though, there are a number of Free channels which are not available from the Sky box. To get those you you would need a Freesat box .

Alternatively a Freeview ( Digi box ) and an ordinary aerial.

[Mattk]

LCDMan is that right about Freesat from Sky?
I thought you had to pay £20 to unlock your card.

[Postdog]

Does it matter? the box is useless if not used anyway.

[LCDMAN]

Mattk, yes that's correct. If you already have a Sky viewing card, then it just won't unscramble any encrypted channels when you cancel your subscription. All the FTA and "Free to view" (or FTV - those needing a valid, Sky card, but NOT a subscription) channels still work. A full channel list is here;

http://www.ftasat.co.uk/

[AlBags]

It's just more money making.
An old Sky card is fine for FREESAT.

[AlBags]

(but an "EX subscription" card you just cancelled may be turned completely inactive)
Best idea? Find an old Sky card .. The blue on with the house on.

[sidkid]

@Albags - "maybe turned inactive" what does that mean?? if I cancel my subscription (which I was just about to do when I saw your post) will I be able to use the card or not? Does anybody have a definitive answer? (I don't have an old sky card to try) Thanks SK

[LCDMAN]

If you have a current Sky card then when you cancel it reverts to being a "freesat from Sky" card and gets you all the FTA and FTV channels. Sky "nobbled" the previous cards (the old blue ones with the yellow house) 18 months or more ago and replaced them all with the new white ones. The old blue/yellow house cards do NOT function anymore, they have all been "turned off"/declared invalid by Sky.

[sidkid]

Thanks LCDMAN I can now cancel with confidence and await the flood of re-connection request letters...!!