Question:
Does anyone know if it's possible to get a Freeview card that will work with Sky Digital? as I'm cancelling my Sky subscription soon and I know that without a Sky viewing card you can only get the free BBC channels.
But is there any way to get the Freeview channels such as UK History? bearing in mind that I cannot actually get Freeview through the ariel in my postcode.
yes sort of but mayby not.
You can get them, but because of the recent change by BBC it is possible that they may be stopped soon, as CH4 / CH5 may well go to pay per view.
Take a trip to the forums at www.digitalspy.co.uk for some further info
Probably better in the Hardware forum.:)
Originally posted by threadkiller
yes sort of but mayby not.
You can get them, but because of the recent change by BBC it is possible that they may be stopped soon, as CH4 / CH5 may well go to pay per view.
Take a trip to the forums at www.digitalspy.co.uk for some further info
Thanks threadkiller, I've tried taking the card out already but when I tried to view UK History etc.. it always prompted me for my viewing card (only channels I could watch were BBC ones) :( I guess the consortium behind Freeview have to pay Sky to broadcast the signal and as such is encrypted? so it would seem anyway.
Not all freeview channels are available using a digibox either ITV2 for example although free is not carried by Sky.
ITV2 is carried by SKY,but its not free.You have to have the Family package to receive it.UK History is not free on SKY.C4/C5 are not pay channels,and never will be,but they are encrypted and ,along with ITV,will soon need a subscription card to view,as the BBC is no longer supplying the Freeview "Solus" cards.
However,if the BBC manage to persuade their programme suppliers that nobody outside the UK is viewing the channels(yeah right)you can bet that as encryption agreements end,the other channels will follow the BBC's lead.But you will have a long wait
Maybe not. ITV, C4 and C5 get their revenue from advertising. Less viewers won't make the advertisers happy......
Thanks for the replies guys, I've emailed Sky anyway to see whether there is any way to view the free channels. Hopefully I will find another job soon and renew the subscription anyway.
But the channels have the agreement for a set time and will not breach the agreement.
The percentage of viewers who will lose the channels is quite small and should not affect the ad revenue.
Originally posted by mattb99
Thanks for the replies guys, I've emailed Sky anyway to see whether there is any way to view the free channels. Hopefully I will find another job soon and renew the subscription anyway.
It doesn't seem likely that $ky themselves will do anything that doesn't involve people paying them exorbitant aounts of money.....
I believe as part of the (extortionate) licence fee you are entitled to a card from the BBC. If the BBC have stopped doing this, then in my opinion it's illegal and the BBC should get sued for preventing people from actually viewing their channels when being forced to pay for them.
Originally posted by mattb99
Thanks threadkiller, I've tried taking the card out already but when I tried to view UK History etc.. it always prompted me for my viewing card (only channels I could watch were BBC ones) :( I guess the consortium behind Freeview have to pay Sky to broadcast the signal and as such is encrypted? so it would seem anyway.
I believe some of the signals are not broadcast by Sky though, although are encrypted for Sky's boxes?
Sky's involvement I thought was in the listings (i.e. whether it appears in the EPG).
TBH you'd probably be better off flogging your Sky Digibox and going with a new Freeview box to guarantee you'd get all the channels
Originally posted by GregB
TBH you'd probably be better off flogging your Sky Digibox and going with a new Freeview box to guarantee you'd get all the channels
Can't get Freeview here :( I'm going back onto Sky at some point anyway so don't want to sell the box, just finances at the moment don't allow for Sky.
Got this response from them though:
Dear Mr Blackmore
Thank you for your email concerning free to view service.
Unfortunately the BBC has unencrypted all their channels on 10 July 2003.
The only way that you would be able to receive these BBC Channels, along
with ITV, Channel 4, and 5 is to have a Sky viewing package. These channels
will still be available through your normal television.
All the other free channels will be available, using your existing viewing
card, except the ones listed above.
I am sorry my response could not be more positive. If I can be of further
assistance please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.
Yours sincerely
Sam Bamford
Customer Admin
So from that it does look like I can get some free to air channels as long as I keep the card in, even though I won't be subscribing any longer.
Originally posted by mattb99
Can't get Freeview here :( I'm going back onto Sky at some point anyway so don't want to sell the box, just finances at the moment don't allow for Sky.
Got this response from them though:
Unfortunately the BBC has unencrypted all their channels on 10 July 2003.
The only way that you would be able to receive these BBC Channels, along
with ITV, Channel 4, and 5 is to have a Sky viewing package. These channels
will still be available through your normal television.
Why would unencrypting the channels deny you access? Surely it's the other way round? :confused:
The SKY reply is incorrect.You will be able to receive the BBC channels without a card,although your regional variation,with your local news would have to be selected manually.A viewing card will place your local BBC1 on channel 101 using your postcode.Without a viewing card you will get BBC1 London,as you do now,and the local ones are listed elsewhere on the EPG.
The other free channels will be unencrypted and will be watchable without a card.
Originally posted by phelings
The SKY reply is incorrect.You will be able to receive the BBC channels without a card,although your regional variation,with your local news would have to be selected manually.A viewing card will place your local BBC1 on channel 101 using your postcode.Without a viewing card you will get BBC1 London,as you do now,and the local ones are listed elsewhere on the EPG.
The other free channels will be unencrypted and will be watchable without a card.
I've actually tried the box without a card in it, and cannot get anything other than the BBC channels. The other free ones such as UK History, E4 etc... will not work and it prompts me to insert a viewing card.
Beleive me (my friend ahem) used to work for SKY and they are in big big trouble because they did NOT hit targets....
Something they are not doing a good job of hiding...and when questioned the people who cancelled their subscriptions said "its too expensive..."
perhaps a thread to lower the price of sky should be started ???
Matt b99 seems to think that E4 and UK History are free channels.They are not.The only channels that you will get without a card are the ones that do not use encryption.Most notably TCM.All the rest ,apart from the BBC channels,are the shopping channels and other stuff thats not worth viewing.I think even Boomerang is now encrypted
Originally posted by phelings
Matt b99 seems to think that E4 and UK History are free channels.They are not.
UK History is on FreeView, so that would make it free (along with UK Bright Ideas, but those are the only UK TV channels on FreeView).
There are some Sky channels on FreeView as well, such as Sky News and Sky Travel.
No E4 though.
As we are talking about Freeview on satellite you are getting confused.UK History is NOT free on satellite,neither is ITV 2,and I'm sure there are more examples.Mattb99 thought E4 was free on satellite
Originally posted by phelings
As we are talking about Freeview on satellite you are getting confused.UK History is NOT free on satellite,neither is ITV 2,and I'm sure there are more examples.Mattb99 thought E4 was free on satellite
Ah well, that's another matter. What's "free" and what *should* be free? ;)
In the case of NTL, nothing is free, despite the fact you pay a license fee for all the BBC channels, you can't get them truly free through NTL.
That said, if you had no subscription can you get some of those channels via a Sky box by using the "Other Channels" option? i.e. they may not be part of the EPG which is what you're paying for, but if they're not encrypted you should be able to get them by manually adding the channels.
As far as I know,there are no notable channels that are not on the EPG,apart from all 16 ITV regions,but they are encrypted too.The only "clear" channels that you can receive without a card,that are not on the EPG,are some foreign ones from a co-located satellite.These are small in number as some use a symbol rate that you cannot set on the digibox.
Just come across this about Free viewing on Sky...
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/de.sullivan/ftvchanges.htm
So basically you used to be able to get a free-to-view card from the BBC which let you watch all free channels, but because the BBC unencrypted their channels (which is good), they no longer issue the cards which means you can't get the other encrypted free channels (which is bad).
Now it makes sense why "unencrypting" has stuffed it all up :oh-hum:.
Originally posted by DeadKenny
Just come across this about Free viewing on Sky...
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/de.sullivan/ftvchanges.htm
So basically you used to be able to get a free-to-view card from the BBC which let you watch all free channels, but because the BBC unencrypted their channels (which is good), they no longer issue the cards which means you can't get the other encrypted free channels (which is bad).
Now it makes sense why "unencrypting" has stuffed it all up :oh-hum:.
I've just read the link you posted - one question - if you have just started to subscribe to Sky and are tied in for another 11 months (and therefore have dish, digibox and card) will you be able to watch all the freeview channels (with I think the exception of ITV2) in 12 months time on my then 1 yr old digibox and card, or will my existing card be redundant? Or will I have to resubscribe to at least the £12.50/month package?
You should be able to carry on watching all the free channels.Its the FTA cards that have stopped being issued,so as you will have a card,albeit with an expired sudscription,your viewing should continue.
This whole affair is a mess.Even the BBC and SKY do not seem to know the whole story.Although no new FTA cards are being issued,will ALL expired cards stop working.I gather the changeover of cards that is happening is also tied in with this.Is there anyone out there who has had their new SKY card and is also getting the "channels ceasing" caption?
But is there any way to get the Freeview channels such as UK History? bearing in mind that I cannot actually get Freeview through the ariel in my postcode.
Answers:
yes sort of but mayby not.
You can get them, but because of the recent change by BBC it is possible that they may be stopped soon, as CH4 / CH5 may well go to pay per view.
Take a trip to the forums at www.digitalspy.co.uk for some further info
Answers:
Probably better in the Hardware forum.:)
Answers:
Originally posted by threadkiller
yes sort of but mayby not.
You can get them, but because of the recent change by BBC it is possible that they may be stopped soon, as CH4 / CH5 may well go to pay per view.
Take a trip to the forums at www.digitalspy.co.uk for some further info
Thanks threadkiller, I've tried taking the card out already but when I tried to view UK History etc.. it always prompted me for my viewing card (only channels I could watch were BBC ones) :( I guess the consortium behind Freeview have to pay Sky to broadcast the signal and as such is encrypted? so it would seem anyway.
Answers:
Not all freeview channels are available using a digibox either ITV2 for example although free is not carried by Sky.
Answers:
ITV2 is carried by SKY,but its not free.You have to have the Family package to receive it.UK History is not free on SKY.C4/C5 are not pay channels,and never will be,but they are encrypted and ,along with ITV,will soon need a subscription card to view,as the BBC is no longer supplying the Freeview "Solus" cards.
However,if the BBC manage to persuade their programme suppliers that nobody outside the UK is viewing the channels(yeah right)you can bet that as encryption agreements end,the other channels will follow the BBC's lead.But you will have a long wait
Answers:
Maybe not. ITV, C4 and C5 get their revenue from advertising. Less viewers won't make the advertisers happy......
Answers:
Thanks for the replies guys, I've emailed Sky anyway to see whether there is any way to view the free channels. Hopefully I will find another job soon and renew the subscription anyway.
Answers:
But the channels have the agreement for a set time and will not breach the agreement.
The percentage of viewers who will lose the channels is quite small and should not affect the ad revenue.
Answers:
Originally posted by mattb99
Thanks for the replies guys, I've emailed Sky anyway to see whether there is any way to view the free channels. Hopefully I will find another job soon and renew the subscription anyway.
It doesn't seem likely that $ky themselves will do anything that doesn't involve people paying them exorbitant aounts of money.....
Answers:
I believe as part of the (extortionate) licence fee you are entitled to a card from the BBC. If the BBC have stopped doing this, then in my opinion it's illegal and the BBC should get sued for preventing people from actually viewing their channels when being forced to pay for them.
Answers:
Originally posted by mattb99
Thanks threadkiller, I've tried taking the card out already but when I tried to view UK History etc.. it always prompted me for my viewing card (only channels I could watch were BBC ones) :( I guess the consortium behind Freeview have to pay Sky to broadcast the signal and as such is encrypted? so it would seem anyway.
I believe some of the signals are not broadcast by Sky though, although are encrypted for Sky's boxes?
Sky's involvement I thought was in the listings (i.e. whether it appears in the EPG).
Answers:
TBH you'd probably be better off flogging your Sky Digibox and going with a new Freeview box to guarantee you'd get all the channels
Answers:
Originally posted by GregB
TBH you'd probably be better off flogging your Sky Digibox and going with a new Freeview box to guarantee you'd get all the channels
Can't get Freeview here :( I'm going back onto Sky at some point anyway so don't want to sell the box, just finances at the moment don't allow for Sky.
Got this response from them though:
Dear Mr Blackmore
Thank you for your email concerning free to view service.
Unfortunately the BBC has unencrypted all their channels on 10 July 2003.
The only way that you would be able to receive these BBC Channels, along
with ITV, Channel 4, and 5 is to have a Sky viewing package. These channels
will still be available through your normal television.
All the other free channels will be available, using your existing viewing
card, except the ones listed above.
I am sorry my response could not be more positive. If I can be of further
assistance please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address.
Yours sincerely
Sam Bamford
Customer Admin
So from that it does look like I can get some free to air channels as long as I keep the card in, even though I won't be subscribing any longer.
Answers:
Originally posted by mattb99
Can't get Freeview here :( I'm going back onto Sky at some point anyway so don't want to sell the box, just finances at the moment don't allow for Sky.
Got this response from them though:
Unfortunately the BBC has unencrypted all their channels on 10 July 2003.
The only way that you would be able to receive these BBC Channels, along
with ITV, Channel 4, and 5 is to have a Sky viewing package. These channels
will still be available through your normal television.
Why would unencrypting the channels deny you access? Surely it's the other way round? :confused:
Answers:
The SKY reply is incorrect.You will be able to receive the BBC channels without a card,although your regional variation,with your local news would have to be selected manually.A viewing card will place your local BBC1 on channel 101 using your postcode.Without a viewing card you will get BBC1 London,as you do now,and the local ones are listed elsewhere on the EPG.
The other free channels will be unencrypted and will be watchable without a card.
Answers:
Originally posted by phelings
The SKY reply is incorrect.You will be able to receive the BBC channels without a card,although your regional variation,with your local news would have to be selected manually.A viewing card will place your local BBC1 on channel 101 using your postcode.Without a viewing card you will get BBC1 London,as you do now,and the local ones are listed elsewhere on the EPG.
The other free channels will be unencrypted and will be watchable without a card.
I've actually tried the box without a card in it, and cannot get anything other than the BBC channels. The other free ones such as UK History, E4 etc... will not work and it prompts me to insert a viewing card.
Answers:
Beleive me (my friend ahem) used to work for SKY and they are in big big trouble because they did NOT hit targets....
Something they are not doing a good job of hiding...and when questioned the people who cancelled their subscriptions said "its too expensive..."
perhaps a thread to lower the price of sky should be started ???
Answers:
Matt b99 seems to think that E4 and UK History are free channels.They are not.The only channels that you will get without a card are the ones that do not use encryption.Most notably TCM.All the rest ,apart from the BBC channels,are the shopping channels and other stuff thats not worth viewing.I think even Boomerang is now encrypted
Answers:
Originally posted by phelings
Matt b99 seems to think that E4 and UK History are free channels.They are not.
UK History is on FreeView, so that would make it free (along with UK Bright Ideas, but those are the only UK TV channels on FreeView).
There are some Sky channels on FreeView as well, such as Sky News and Sky Travel.
No E4 though.
Answers:
As we are talking about Freeview on satellite you are getting confused.UK History is NOT free on satellite,neither is ITV 2,and I'm sure there are more examples.Mattb99 thought E4 was free on satellite
Answers:
Originally posted by phelings
As we are talking about Freeview on satellite you are getting confused.UK History is NOT free on satellite,neither is ITV 2,and I'm sure there are more examples.Mattb99 thought E4 was free on satellite
Ah well, that's another matter. What's "free" and what *should* be free? ;)
In the case of NTL, nothing is free, despite the fact you pay a license fee for all the BBC channels, you can't get them truly free through NTL.
That said, if you had no subscription can you get some of those channels via a Sky box by using the "Other Channels" option? i.e. they may not be part of the EPG which is what you're paying for, but if they're not encrypted you should be able to get them by manually adding the channels.
Answers:
As far as I know,there are no notable channels that are not on the EPG,apart from all 16 ITV regions,but they are encrypted too.The only "clear" channels that you can receive without a card,that are not on the EPG,are some foreign ones from a co-located satellite.These are small in number as some use a symbol rate that you cannot set on the digibox.
Answers:
Just come across this about Free viewing on Sky...
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/de.sullivan/ftvchanges.htm
So basically you used to be able to get a free-to-view card from the BBC which let you watch all free channels, but because the BBC unencrypted their channels (which is good), they no longer issue the cards which means you can't get the other encrypted free channels (which is bad).
Now it makes sense why "unencrypting" has stuffed it all up :oh-hum:.
Answers:
Originally posted by DeadKenny
Just come across this about Free viewing on Sky...
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/de.sullivan/ftvchanges.htm
So basically you used to be able to get a free-to-view card from the BBC which let you watch all free channels, but because the BBC unencrypted their channels (which is good), they no longer issue the cards which means you can't get the other encrypted free channels (which is bad).
Now it makes sense why "unencrypting" has stuffed it all up :oh-hum:.
I've just read the link you posted - one question - if you have just started to subscribe to Sky and are tied in for another 11 months (and therefore have dish, digibox and card) will you be able to watch all the freeview channels (with I think the exception of ITV2) in 12 months time on my then 1 yr old digibox and card, or will my existing card be redundant? Or will I have to resubscribe to at least the £12.50/month package?
Answers:
You should be able to carry on watching all the free channels.Its the FTA cards that have stopped being issued,so as you will have a card,albeit with an expired sudscription,your viewing should continue.
This whole affair is a mess.Even the BBC and SKY do not seem to know the whole story.Although no new FTA cards are being issued,will ALL expired cards stop working.I gather the changeover of cards that is happening is also tied in with this.Is there anyone out there who has had their new SKY card and is also getting the "channels ceasing" caption?
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