Freesat

[Booldawg]

Thinking of shaving a few quid off the monthly outgoings. I'm currently paying about 65 GBP a month for basic Sky package, AOL broadband and telephone through BT.

I was looking at getting a combined package but could I save even more money by going Freesat (we dont really watch alot of the channels other than the big 5)?

Also if I go Freesat would my Skyplus box still record programs? I understand that all you need to do is cancel your Sky subscription and my skyplus box will become my Freesat box.

All I'd need to do is get a combined phone/broadband package. Hopefully save 40 quid a month.

[Buenchico]

It's a rather pedantic point but, without a subscription, a Sky box becomes a generic FTA (= 'free to air') satellite receiver, not a true Freesat one. You'll be able to receive all of these channels:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free-to-air_channels_at_28%C2%B0E

A proper Freesat box is actually configured to receive a subset of those channels plus the Freesat EPG (= 'electronic programme guide') and some 'red button' channels. To get Sky's EPG (plus some interactive facilities) you could also purchase a 'Freesat from Sky' card, for £25 direct from Sky. (Confusingly, 'Freesat' and 'Freesat from Sky' are two different services).

Whether it's generic FTA, Freesat or Freesat from Sky, you'll get most of the terrestrial Freeview channels (plus quite a lot more) but it's worth noting that you won't get the free UKTV channels (such as Dave, Yesterday and Drama), which happen to be among my own favourites!

Once your Sky subscription ceases your Sky+ box will no longer record programmes. Further, any programmes that you've already recorded will no longer be available to watch.

[theshedman]

Another way to save a few quid would be to get the lot from Sky and then you would still be able to record. I pay them around £50 a month so a saving of £15 maybe not the £40 you were after but still a saving.

[craft1948]

I just have a freeview box which gives me access to over 100 channels and a record facility. Apart from that I pay £35.10 a month for broadband/line rental/anytime calls/BT Sports on my PC from BT.

[cupid04]

We were paying £85 roughly for Virgin phone and broadband and basic package sky telly plus insurance. We now get the whole lot through BT- unlimited phone calls, unlimited broadband and BT vision for less than £45 a month. Quite a saving, huh? We lost a few of the Sky channels but we don't miss them. It seems like Sky is out-pricing itself.

[Booldawg]

Thanks for the advice, didnt realise the differences between the services so you've all been a great help!

Think I'll go with the standard sky box we already have and hopefully make enough of a saving to purchase a freesat box with a hard drive.

We dont have a TV aerial, only the dish that Sky installed - correct me if I'm wrong, freeview using a digital tv aerial and freesat uses a dish?

[Buenchico]

>>>freeview using a digital tv aerial and freesat uses a dish?

Correct!

Freeview channels:
http://www.freeview.co.uk/whats-on/channels

Freesat channels:
http://www.freesat.co.uk/channels

[Hopkirk]

Yes.

Also if you cancel Sky you don't need to pay £25 for a Sky card, you just keep using your old one.

It's a bit unnecessary though as a standard Sky box works perfectly well without a card - you still get the EPG.

I have no experience of Sky+ boxes, but I suspect they are the same

[Booldawg]

Having the ability to record is a must have for us. I'd be happy to use the skybox if this wasn't a clincher.