Question:
mods - wasn't sure if this should be in this forum or the hardware forum! - please move this if you think I'm in the wrong forum!
For your information
Your viewing of this channel will soon cease
Please call 08702 430 604
I'm getting the above message on my screen everyday via my Sky digibox at about 6pm. It doesn't matter what channel I am on either & if I cancel the message it just pops up again.
I have a Sky system but have not had a "Pay TV" subscription for over a year and so I only use it to watch the free channels digitally & in widescreen where applicable.
When I called the above phone number I listened to the recorded message that was for people "wanting to re-activate their Free to Air channels". The message says that viewing cards that do not use a subscription will be de-activated soon and so channels like ITV1, Channel Four and Five will no longer be viewable via the digibox in the near future.
Is this because these are Free to View channels but not necessarily Free to Air? (does FTV actually stand for "free to view"? if not what is it?!)
Basically it sounds like Sky are forcing people like me who now only use their system for free channels to get a subscription.
I originally got Sky installed because I moved to an area where I could not use my OnDigital box (as it was called at the time!) due to no signal & I have long since got rid of it.
Am I going to be forced to get a Sky subscription to channels and services I don't want or is there something I can do to keep my Sky system giving me all the free channels? (a new viewing card or something? if so how do I get one? It seems Sky are ONLY offering a new viewing card if you buy a subscription package)
I can't get channel Five any other way where I live (no cable in my area and no Five on analogue) and I watch it a lot (for CSI, Shield etc).
I have just found out that Freeview finally has a signal where I live (although of unconfirmed strength) - is this a better option now?
My next door neighbour is in the exact same situation as well.
Thanks for any help, links or suggestions.
cheers
Richie
I think this has to do with BBC going unencrypted, they will no longer distribute the free to air cards.
Can someone else confirm?
It's not just that they are sending out new cards, but not to people who don't have a subscription? perhaps all you need is a new card without having to take out a sub?
Originally posted by Richie
mods - wasn't sure if this should be in this forum or the hardware forum! - please move this if you think I'm in the wrong forum!
Probably better in Hardware :)
Moving...
The BBC are going to transmit from Sky in the clear imminently. This will save them £85M over 5 years on Sky fees. They are moving Astra satellite to one with a narrower focus on the UK. This lets them state that only UK viewers in the main can receive their programmes. ITV, CH4 and 5 have been freeloading on the free access cards. Now the Beeb won't use the cards will be switched off (no one to pay for them) and thus you will need to get a "proper" sky package to get the other "free" channels.
i call sky tonight and they said from 1st of august we can watch the freeview channel without the cards
or u can call 087024380000 and ask for a viewing card
Thanks for the replies folks - I wish I'd looked into this sooner :brickwall
kopo - I phoned that BBC number you posted above but unfortunately they are no longer giving out the Free to Air cards (I am such an idiot for not acting on this when I saw something about these cards mentioned ages ago! d'oh!)
Today (July 10th) is the day the BBC channels go unencrypted so you no longer need a viewing card to get them. Within 2 or so weeks the other FTA channels (ITV1, C4, Five etc) will no longer be viewable via the Sky Digibox without a new viewing card.
I talked to a very helpful woman at Sky (I was frankly :eek: at her helpfulness!!!!)
This is what she said to do (and I hope this might of help to anyone in the same situation)
1) Have to hand either the 9 digit number on the back of your current viewing card or your old Sky customer account number (begins with 624).
2) Call 08702 430 604 and get put through to a Sky rep using one of the 2 options (either you've had a Sky sub in the past or not are the options! most callers will have once had a sub that they cancelled)
3) In ONE phonecall do the following:
a) Reactivate your Sky viewing with the cheapest package (the £12.50 'value pack'). You will then have to set up a direct debit using a bank current account.
b) Request a new viewing card VERY IMPORTANT!
c) Request to cancel your Sky package (yes, the one you just set up!). You will be transferred to 'cancellations' where your 1 month's notice will be put into effect.
I am assuming that once the £12.50 has left your bank account you'll need to remember to cancel the direct debit with your bank?
When the new viewing card arrives you activate it as per the instructions.
According to the woman I spoke to at Sky that's all you need to do. You'll get a new viewing card enabling you to get all the Free to Air channels no problem and you'll have the most basic Sky package for a month after which your channels will revert back to the Free to Air ones.
Yes this costs £12.50 to do (and there is the aggrivation of being within Sky's clutches for a time!) but it seems the easiest way to get this sorted now (having missed the free cards that the BBC were dishing out - grrrrrr!)
Anyway, I hope that helps someone else :)
I've just been reading about this and I'm not certain that's the case.
Rumours are suggesting that Ch4 and Five will ONLY be available to current Sky subscribers, and the position of ITV is in the air.
Almost :). I've read that people with existing free to view viewing cards and expired sky subscription cards will continue to get ITV, C4 and C5.
You just can't get the free to view cards from the BBC anymore (as they are going free to air and will save lots of money by doing so). So subscribing to sky for a month will in theory work.
I'm glad I went the freeview route :)
Originally posted by movaado
Almost :). I've read that people with existing free to view viewing cards and expired sky subscription cards will continue to get ITV, C4 and C5.
You just can't get the free to view cards from the BBC anymore (as they are going free to air and will save lots of money by doing so). So subscribing to sky for a month will in theory work.
Sorry - this is not correct with current information.
From the horses mouth :
http://skydigital.mediabullet.co.uk/
04/07/03 ITV to announce plans of Solus card change next week
Viewers' are confused over the Free To Air change next week, which will see BBC move to Astra 2D. With the BBC's decision in abandoning Free To View cards (Solus) many people are left wondering about what will happen to their terrestrial channels such as ITV, Channel Four and Five. Well, Channel Four's response was published here this morning. ITV have now contacted SDO to tell us that they will make an official announcement next week once the "mess" has cleared up. ITV are unsure themselves about what will happen and are awaiting for BBC's free service to go live before saying anything. However, they did tell us that their stance will be different to Channel Four's because unlike them they will try their utmost best in providing ITV1 and ITV2 to viewers without a Sky card on a Free To Air set top box. Keep it with SDO for the very latest.
News Feed: Raj Baddhan Source: ITV News Break: 16:14
04/07/03 Channel Four responds to Solus card change
Channel Four has told SDO that their flagship channel will become a part of Sky's monthly package come 10th July. This comes in response to BBC's decision in going Free To Air on Sky Digital from that date onwards. Speaking to the Head of Press at Channel Four, Matt Baker, he also clarified that the channel will NOT be available to Free To Air set top boxes, which is a major blow to viewers' who do not subscribe to a Sky monthly package. The reason for this is because BBC who have been issuing the Solus viewing cards (Free To View) will stop doing so from next week, which means new viewers' who have plans to view the free channels on Sky will miss out on receiving Channel Four, Five and ITV1. Channel Four has also said that it does not have any intentions of distributing Solus cards because of the costs involved. Channel Four has no plans of following the BBC's Free To Air mode just yet, saying that they're "very happy" with how things are at the moment.
News Feed: Raj Baddhan Source: Channel Four News Break: 12:39
I've seen similar information relating to Five, who've just signed a 3 year deal with Sky.
Oh FFS WHY is this so bloody confusing? :mad:
Is what Sky told me this morning incorrect then? (subscribing for just the minimum 1 month in order to get a new viewing card and then cancelling the subscription).
Warren
from what you've posted above it sounds like it won't matter whether I have the new card from Sky or whether I have the Solus card from the BBC - without a Sky package subscription I can't get the 'regular' channels via a Sky digibox :mad:
OR is it simply enough to have the new card in my digibox?
Originally posted by Richie
Oh FFS WHY is this so bloody confusing? :mad:
Is what Sky told me this morning incorrect then? (subscribing for just the minimum 1 month in order to get a new viewing card and then cancelling the subscription).
Warren
from what you've posted above it sounds like it won't matter whether I have the new card from Sky or whether I have the Solus card from the BBC - without a Sky package subscription I can't get the 'regular' channels via a Sky digibox :mad:
OR is it simply enough to have the new card in my digibox?
Most news sources seem pretty confused as well, but from my reading of it, it looks like Ch4 and Five are probably going to only be available to actual Sky subscribers via satelite and ITV is in the air at the moment.
This is the crucial quote :
Speaking to the Head of Press at Channel Four, Matt Baker, he also clarified that the channel will NOT be available to Free To Air set top boxes
and that's from the Head of Press at Channel 4 - it seems pretty clear. I would expect the government to step in at some point though as they are committed to moving to digital TV and getting rid of analogue terrestrial broadcasts.
Thanks Warren.
I just don't know what to do about this - I don't want to goto the hassle of that Sky sub if it is actually pointless and just results in endless 'harassment' from Sky & it's subsidaries :(
I don't even know how many hours/days it is until the current channels stop operating ("sometime in the next 2 weeks" is about as definite as it gets) - how come there has been nothing issued about this to the consumer? (or have I missed something?)
Surely there are many people who use the Sky system for FTA viewing? I can't be the only layman trying to wade through all this irritating info.
Hang on, really stupid question coming up here, but -
As the BBC are moving to a new satellite, does this mean that BBC channels will disappear off the Sky listing (Since Skydishes are fixed pointing at Sky's satellite)?
Originally posted by SheepDip
Hang on, really stupid question coming up here, but -
As the BBC are moving to a new satellite, does this mean that BBC channels will disappear off the Sky listing (Since Skydishes are fixed pointing at Sky's satellite)?
I don't think so - my understanding is that it's just a more 'narrow focus' satellite that means Europe won't get BBC for nowt from now on. This is why they can dump the encryption.
The word 'freeview' keeps popping into my mind as I read this thread. I've got no idea why..........
Originally posted by LV426
The word 'freeview' keeps popping into my mind as I read this thread. I've got no idea why..........
Not available to all areas, and it requires £100 or so outlay to people who are already using their dishes for free to air channels.
Originally posted by Richie
Thanks Warren.
I just don't know what to do about this - I don't want to goto the hassle of that Sky sub if it is actually pointless and just results in endless 'harassment' from Sky & it's subsidaries :(
I don't even know how many hours/days it is until the current channels stop operating ("sometime in the next 2 weeks" is about as definite as it gets) - how come there has been nothing issued about this to the consumer? (or have I missed something?)
Surely there are many people who use the Sky system for FTA viewing? I can't be the only layman trying to wade through all this irritating info.
Richie - if you got a new subscription, aren't you tied into a new 12 month contract?
Originally posted by craig@rewind
Richie - if you got a new subscription, aren't you tied into a new 12 month contract?
I think it only works if you were previously a subscriber - you can then reactivate for a month and get the new card.
But as mentioned - the chances are that this won't do you any good anyway until someone steps in a tells Sky to get its act together.
ITV,C4 and C5 will not be available on "free to air" boxes because they are continuing to use Videoguard,SKY's encryption system to prevent viewing outside the uk,and only Digiboxes have the acess modules for Videoguard built in.The above response from ITV shows even they do not know what is going on,because,on SKY DIGITAL,ITV2 is a subscription channel,and you will only receive it if you have the £18.50 package.
If the BBC get away with their plans long term,which is still up for debate,you can bet that ITV,C4 and C5 will follow suit over the next few years as their contract for encryption runs out.
Although the satellite the BBC is using has a tight footprint on the uk,it is still possible to see the channels in Europe with suitable equipment,like a large dish.
When BBC1 and BBC Wales start some programming at different times,the BBC have always used this reason to justify blocking the Wales,and Scotland versions from England.What will happen now?And as for sports rights-thats a minefield on its own.
As it is possible to pick up all 16 ITV regions on your box ,wherever you are in the UK,why all the fuss from the BBC.
ok, so my options (when the channels cease broadcasting) are:
1) Disconnect my Sky system and go back to only having BBC1 & 2, ITV1 and Channel4 via my crappy analogue aerial (which rather defeats widescreen programming as it's all compromised for analogue).
2) Get a Sky Pay TV package
3) Get a Freeview box (if I can guarantee a decent signal where I live? The reason we can't get Five on analogue here is the same reason it's taken so long to get OnDigital/ITVDigital/Freeview to work here - I live within a weird triangle of transmitters and the MOD had dibs on a particular signal frequency for years and years, something I don't understand fully.)
Is anyone else in the same situation?
I live in an apparrently "no coverage" area for freeview. But with a new arial installed it recieves everything fine barring a few of the lesser channels.
Don't know if it will have any imidiate bearing on this situation but on the front page of dvdcompare.net (rewind) theres a little news snippet -
BBC AND SKY SETTLE DIFFERENCES
Saturday June 21st 2003
The BBC and Sky have settled their differences without the need for ITC intervention. When the BBC announced it was to end its 5 year encryption deal with Sky to save itself £85m over 5 years, Sky said it would move BBC One and BBC Two from its EPG prime position slots of 101 and 102 respectively. In retaliation, the BBC filed a formal complaint with the Independent Television Commission. However, after nearly 3 months of negotiations, the two largest TV broadcasters in the UK have come to an agreement. The BBC will remain on 101 and 102 and will be "free to air" from July of this year. In return, the BBC will pay Sky a one off £40m fee for a "regionalisation package" which will allow, for the first time, all 22 BBC regions to be broadcast on Sky (these will be in the 900 number section of the EPG) with viewers receiving the correct regional version of BBC One and BBC Two on 101 and 102. As a bonus, BBC Three and BBC Four have moved up the EPG from 160 and 161 to 115 and 116 respectively. All of these changes only apply to digital satellite viewers. Cable and Freeview customers are unaffected.
The BBC/SKY agreement is about places on the EPG only.BBC channels are now in the clear,and you can receive them on any digital satellite receiver,not just a Digibox.
But this has no advantages for the viewer,unless you count the money they are saving.With ITV,C4 and C5 still only available on a Digibox there is no great shake up.....but once they all go in the clear,and you don't need a digibox anymore for the free channels,thats when SKY will really need to worry.
But if you want to carry on watching the aforementioned channels,you will have to get a pay package from SKY.....for the moment anyway.
Originally posted by phelings
When BBC1 and BBC Wales start some programming at different times,the BBC have always used this reason to justify blocking the Wales,and Scotland versions from England.What will happen now?And as for sports rights-thats a minefield on its own.
Minefield indeed. BBC Scotland secured the rights to the Scottish Premiership from Sky last year. But a company called Setanta has the rights to broadcast the matches outside of Scotland. When the BBC announced the end of the Sky deal, Setanta pointed out that the football matches couldn't be shown throughout the UK. So as of next season, the Scottish Premiership will only be shown on BBC1 Scotland analog, with digital BBC1 showing different programming.
Right, so after all that it sounds like we'll still have the terrestrial channels on Sky then?
Incidentally, I just started getting the "cease" message on my box this afternoon... :(
If you do not have a subscription to any SKY package,you will lose ITV,C4 and C5 in the near future.
Well, I've gone for the £18.50 package for now. We've had it a week in my house and already everyone is playing "couch commando" & "channel nazi" :oh-hum:
At least I'll get to see new West Wing on E4 :clap:
For your information
Your viewing of this channel will soon cease
Please call 08702 430 604
I'm getting the above message on my screen everyday via my Sky digibox at about 6pm. It doesn't matter what channel I am on either & if I cancel the message it just pops up again.
I have a Sky system but have not had a "Pay TV" subscription for over a year and so I only use it to watch the free channels digitally & in widescreen where applicable.
When I called the above phone number I listened to the recorded message that was for people "wanting to re-activate their Free to Air channels". The message says that viewing cards that do not use a subscription will be de-activated soon and so channels like ITV1, Channel Four and Five will no longer be viewable via the digibox in the near future.
Is this because these are Free to View channels but not necessarily Free to Air? (does FTV actually stand for "free to view"? if not what is it?!)
Basically it sounds like Sky are forcing people like me who now only use their system for free channels to get a subscription.
I originally got Sky installed because I moved to an area where I could not use my OnDigital box (as it was called at the time!) due to no signal & I have long since got rid of it.
Am I going to be forced to get a Sky subscription to channels and services I don't want or is there something I can do to keep my Sky system giving me all the free channels? (a new viewing card or something? if so how do I get one? It seems Sky are ONLY offering a new viewing card if you buy a subscription package)
I can't get channel Five any other way where I live (no cable in my area and no Five on analogue) and I watch it a lot (for CSI, Shield etc).
I have just found out that Freeview finally has a signal where I live (although of unconfirmed strength) - is this a better option now?
My next door neighbour is in the exact same situation as well.
Thanks for any help, links or suggestions.
cheers
Richie
Answers:
I think this has to do with BBC going unencrypted, they will no longer distribute the free to air cards.
Can someone else confirm?
Answers:
It's not just that they are sending out new cards, but not to people who don't have a subscription? perhaps all you need is a new card without having to take out a sub?
Answers:
Originally posted by Richie
mods - wasn't sure if this should be in this forum or the hardware forum! - please move this if you think I'm in the wrong forum!
Probably better in Hardware :)
Moving...
Answers:
The BBC are going to transmit from Sky in the clear imminently. This will save them £85M over 5 years on Sky fees. They are moving Astra satellite to one with a narrower focus on the UK. This lets them state that only UK viewers in the main can receive their programmes. ITV, CH4 and 5 have been freeloading on the free access cards. Now the Beeb won't use the cards will be switched off (no one to pay for them) and thus you will need to get a "proper" sky package to get the other "free" channels.
Answers:
i call sky tonight and they said from 1st of august we can watch the freeview channel without the cards
Answers:
or u can call 087024380000 and ask for a viewing card
Answers:
Thanks for the replies folks - I wish I'd looked into this sooner :brickwall
kopo - I phoned that BBC number you posted above but unfortunately they are no longer giving out the Free to Air cards (I am such an idiot for not acting on this when I saw something about these cards mentioned ages ago! d'oh!)
Today (July 10th) is the day the BBC channels go unencrypted so you no longer need a viewing card to get them. Within 2 or so weeks the other FTA channels (ITV1, C4, Five etc) will no longer be viewable via the Sky Digibox without a new viewing card.
I talked to a very helpful woman at Sky (I was frankly :eek: at her helpfulness!!!!)
This is what she said to do (and I hope this might of help to anyone in the same situation)
1) Have to hand either the 9 digit number on the back of your current viewing card or your old Sky customer account number (begins with 624).
2) Call 08702 430 604 and get put through to a Sky rep using one of the 2 options (either you've had a Sky sub in the past or not are the options! most callers will have once had a sub that they cancelled)
3) In ONE phonecall do the following:
a) Reactivate your Sky viewing with the cheapest package (the £12.50 'value pack'). You will then have to set up a direct debit using a bank current account.
b) Request a new viewing card VERY IMPORTANT!
c) Request to cancel your Sky package (yes, the one you just set up!). You will be transferred to 'cancellations' where your 1 month's notice will be put into effect.
I am assuming that once the £12.50 has left your bank account you'll need to remember to cancel the direct debit with your bank?
When the new viewing card arrives you activate it as per the instructions.
According to the woman I spoke to at Sky that's all you need to do. You'll get a new viewing card enabling you to get all the Free to Air channels no problem and you'll have the most basic Sky package for a month after which your channels will revert back to the Free to Air ones.
Yes this costs £12.50 to do (and there is the aggrivation of being within Sky's clutches for a time!) but it seems the easiest way to get this sorted now (having missed the free cards that the BBC were dishing out - grrrrrr!)
Anyway, I hope that helps someone else :)
Answers:
I've just been reading about this and I'm not certain that's the case.
Rumours are suggesting that Ch4 and Five will ONLY be available to current Sky subscribers, and the position of ITV is in the air.
Answers:
Almost :). I've read that people with existing free to view viewing cards and expired sky subscription cards will continue to get ITV, C4 and C5.
You just can't get the free to view cards from the BBC anymore (as they are going free to air and will save lots of money by doing so). So subscribing to sky for a month will in theory work.
I'm glad I went the freeview route :)
Answers:
Originally posted by movaado
Almost :). I've read that people with existing free to view viewing cards and expired sky subscription cards will continue to get ITV, C4 and C5.
You just can't get the free to view cards from the BBC anymore (as they are going free to air and will save lots of money by doing so). So subscribing to sky for a month will in theory work.
Sorry - this is not correct with current information.
From the horses mouth :
http://skydigital.mediabullet.co.uk/
04/07/03 ITV to announce plans of Solus card change next week
Viewers' are confused over the Free To Air change next week, which will see BBC move to Astra 2D. With the BBC's decision in abandoning Free To View cards (Solus) many people are left wondering about what will happen to their terrestrial channels such as ITV, Channel Four and Five. Well, Channel Four's response was published here this morning. ITV have now contacted SDO to tell us that they will make an official announcement next week once the "mess" has cleared up. ITV are unsure themselves about what will happen and are awaiting for BBC's free service to go live before saying anything. However, they did tell us that their stance will be different to Channel Four's because unlike them they will try their utmost best in providing ITV1 and ITV2 to viewers without a Sky card on a Free To Air set top box. Keep it with SDO for the very latest.
News Feed: Raj Baddhan Source: ITV News Break: 16:14
04/07/03 Channel Four responds to Solus card change
Channel Four has told SDO that their flagship channel will become a part of Sky's monthly package come 10th July. This comes in response to BBC's decision in going Free To Air on Sky Digital from that date onwards. Speaking to the Head of Press at Channel Four, Matt Baker, he also clarified that the channel will NOT be available to Free To Air set top boxes, which is a major blow to viewers' who do not subscribe to a Sky monthly package. The reason for this is because BBC who have been issuing the Solus viewing cards (Free To View) will stop doing so from next week, which means new viewers' who have plans to view the free channels on Sky will miss out on receiving Channel Four, Five and ITV1. Channel Four has also said that it does not have any intentions of distributing Solus cards because of the costs involved. Channel Four has no plans of following the BBC's Free To Air mode just yet, saying that they're "very happy" with how things are at the moment.
News Feed: Raj Baddhan Source: Channel Four News Break: 12:39
I've seen similar information relating to Five, who've just signed a 3 year deal with Sky.
Answers:
Oh FFS WHY is this so bloody confusing? :mad:
Is what Sky told me this morning incorrect then? (subscribing for just the minimum 1 month in order to get a new viewing card and then cancelling the subscription).
Warren
from what you've posted above it sounds like it won't matter whether I have the new card from Sky or whether I have the Solus card from the BBC - without a Sky package subscription I can't get the 'regular' channels via a Sky digibox :mad:
OR is it simply enough to have the new card in my digibox?
Answers:
Originally posted by Richie
Oh FFS WHY is this so bloody confusing? :mad:
Is what Sky told me this morning incorrect then? (subscribing for just the minimum 1 month in order to get a new viewing card and then cancelling the subscription).
Warren
from what you've posted above it sounds like it won't matter whether I have the new card from Sky or whether I have the Solus card from the BBC - without a Sky package subscription I can't get the 'regular' channels via a Sky digibox :mad:
OR is it simply enough to have the new card in my digibox?
Most news sources seem pretty confused as well, but from my reading of it, it looks like Ch4 and Five are probably going to only be available to actual Sky subscribers via satelite and ITV is in the air at the moment.
This is the crucial quote :
Speaking to the Head of Press at Channel Four, Matt Baker, he also clarified that the channel will NOT be available to Free To Air set top boxes
and that's from the Head of Press at Channel 4 - it seems pretty clear. I would expect the government to step in at some point though as they are committed to moving to digital TV and getting rid of analogue terrestrial broadcasts.
Answers:
Thanks Warren.
I just don't know what to do about this - I don't want to goto the hassle of that Sky sub if it is actually pointless and just results in endless 'harassment' from Sky & it's subsidaries :(
I don't even know how many hours/days it is until the current channels stop operating ("sometime in the next 2 weeks" is about as definite as it gets) - how come there has been nothing issued about this to the consumer? (or have I missed something?)
Surely there are many people who use the Sky system for FTA viewing? I can't be the only layman trying to wade through all this irritating info.
Answers:
Hang on, really stupid question coming up here, but -
As the BBC are moving to a new satellite, does this mean that BBC channels will disappear off the Sky listing (Since Skydishes are fixed pointing at Sky's satellite)?
Answers:
Originally posted by SheepDip
Hang on, really stupid question coming up here, but -
As the BBC are moving to a new satellite, does this mean that BBC channels will disappear off the Sky listing (Since Skydishes are fixed pointing at Sky's satellite)?
I don't think so - my understanding is that it's just a more 'narrow focus' satellite that means Europe won't get BBC for nowt from now on. This is why they can dump the encryption.
Answers:
The word 'freeview' keeps popping into my mind as I read this thread. I've got no idea why..........
Answers:
Originally posted by LV426
The word 'freeview' keeps popping into my mind as I read this thread. I've got no idea why..........
Not available to all areas, and it requires £100 or so outlay to people who are already using their dishes for free to air channels.
Answers:
Originally posted by Richie
Thanks Warren.
I just don't know what to do about this - I don't want to goto the hassle of that Sky sub if it is actually pointless and just results in endless 'harassment' from Sky & it's subsidaries :(
I don't even know how many hours/days it is until the current channels stop operating ("sometime in the next 2 weeks" is about as definite as it gets) - how come there has been nothing issued about this to the consumer? (or have I missed something?)
Surely there are many people who use the Sky system for FTA viewing? I can't be the only layman trying to wade through all this irritating info.
Richie - if you got a new subscription, aren't you tied into a new 12 month contract?
Answers:
Originally posted by craig@rewind
Richie - if you got a new subscription, aren't you tied into a new 12 month contract?
I think it only works if you were previously a subscriber - you can then reactivate for a month and get the new card.
But as mentioned - the chances are that this won't do you any good anyway until someone steps in a tells Sky to get its act together.
Answers:
ITV,C4 and C5 will not be available on "free to air" boxes because they are continuing to use Videoguard,SKY's encryption system to prevent viewing outside the uk,and only Digiboxes have the acess modules for Videoguard built in.The above response from ITV shows even they do not know what is going on,because,on SKY DIGITAL,ITV2 is a subscription channel,and you will only receive it if you have the £18.50 package.
If the BBC get away with their plans long term,which is still up for debate,you can bet that ITV,C4 and C5 will follow suit over the next few years as their contract for encryption runs out.
Although the satellite the BBC is using has a tight footprint on the uk,it is still possible to see the channels in Europe with suitable equipment,like a large dish.
When BBC1 and BBC Wales start some programming at different times,the BBC have always used this reason to justify blocking the Wales,and Scotland versions from England.What will happen now?And as for sports rights-thats a minefield on its own.
As it is possible to pick up all 16 ITV regions on your box ,wherever you are in the UK,why all the fuss from the BBC.
Answers:
ok, so my options (when the channels cease broadcasting) are:
1) Disconnect my Sky system and go back to only having BBC1 & 2, ITV1 and Channel4 via my crappy analogue aerial (which rather defeats widescreen programming as it's all compromised for analogue).
2) Get a Sky Pay TV package
3) Get a Freeview box (if I can guarantee a decent signal where I live? The reason we can't get Five on analogue here is the same reason it's taken so long to get OnDigital/ITVDigital/Freeview to work here - I live within a weird triangle of transmitters and the MOD had dibs on a particular signal frequency for years and years, something I don't understand fully.)
Is anyone else in the same situation?
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I live in an apparrently "no coverage" area for freeview. But with a new arial installed it recieves everything fine barring a few of the lesser channels.
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Don't know if it will have any imidiate bearing on this situation but on the front page of dvdcompare.net (rewind) theres a little news snippet -
BBC AND SKY SETTLE DIFFERENCES
Saturday June 21st 2003
The BBC and Sky have settled their differences without the need for ITC intervention. When the BBC announced it was to end its 5 year encryption deal with Sky to save itself £85m over 5 years, Sky said it would move BBC One and BBC Two from its EPG prime position slots of 101 and 102 respectively. In retaliation, the BBC filed a formal complaint with the Independent Television Commission. However, after nearly 3 months of negotiations, the two largest TV broadcasters in the UK have come to an agreement. The BBC will remain on 101 and 102 and will be "free to air" from July of this year. In return, the BBC will pay Sky a one off £40m fee for a "regionalisation package" which will allow, for the first time, all 22 BBC regions to be broadcast on Sky (these will be in the 900 number section of the EPG) with viewers receiving the correct regional version of BBC One and BBC Two on 101 and 102. As a bonus, BBC Three and BBC Four have moved up the EPG from 160 and 161 to 115 and 116 respectively. All of these changes only apply to digital satellite viewers. Cable and Freeview customers are unaffected.
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The BBC/SKY agreement is about places on the EPG only.BBC channels are now in the clear,and you can receive them on any digital satellite receiver,not just a Digibox.
But this has no advantages for the viewer,unless you count the money they are saving.With ITV,C4 and C5 still only available on a Digibox there is no great shake up.....but once they all go in the clear,and you don't need a digibox anymore for the free channels,thats when SKY will really need to worry.
But if you want to carry on watching the aforementioned channels,you will have to get a pay package from SKY.....for the moment anyway.
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Originally posted by phelings
When BBC1 and BBC Wales start some programming at different times,the BBC have always used this reason to justify blocking the Wales,and Scotland versions from England.What will happen now?And as for sports rights-thats a minefield on its own.
Minefield indeed. BBC Scotland secured the rights to the Scottish Premiership from Sky last year. But a company called Setanta has the rights to broadcast the matches outside of Scotland. When the BBC announced the end of the Sky deal, Setanta pointed out that the football matches couldn't be shown throughout the UK. So as of next season, the Scottish Premiership will only be shown on BBC1 Scotland analog, with digital BBC1 showing different programming.
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Right, so after all that it sounds like we'll still have the terrestrial channels on Sky then?
Incidentally, I just started getting the "cease" message on my box this afternoon... :(
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If you do not have a subscription to any SKY package,you will lose ITV,C4 and C5 in the near future.
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Well, I've gone for the £18.50 package for now. We've had it a week in my house and already everyone is playing "couch commando" & "channel nazi" :oh-hum:
At least I'll get to see new West Wing on E4 :clap:
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