Non-Sky systemsMany options - more Christian channels and more control. |
Still paying Sky?There's no need! All Christian TV and Radio is free! |
This page index
• Freesat from Sky system
• Regular Sky system (with monthly rental)
• Other ways to get Sky
• Sky Parental Control
• Sky Pin Code
• Sky Box Tips
Sky systems
Introducing Sky systems
Most people get a rental system from Sky probably because they believe it's the only way. But, Sky offers two alternatives - the Freesat from Sky system, which is easy to get and costs £150, or the Sky subscription-free system, which is £120 but involves signing a contract and is difficult to get. If you prefer, you don't even need to go to Sky for a Sky system. In the section Other ways to get Sky we'll list a few suggestions.
Click here for the latest news on Sky £75 deals
Freesat from Sky system
This costs £150, gives you all the Free-to-Air channels on the Sky EPG (which includes the Christian, BBC and ITV channels), and comes with a TV viewing card for Ch4 & Ch5.
The digibox is exactly the same as those used in a rental system, so can be 'upgraded' to Sky rental if you wish. It does not have to be connected to a phone line but you can ask for it to be connected if you want interactive TV. This system is the best choice for people who want Christian TV & Radio as well as all five main TV channels. It is available anywhere in the UK. If you get a system from Sky, we recommend this one.
If you see anything on this site that's incorrect or unclear,
please contact us and we'll put it right!
Thanks, Steve Lee.
Sky announced the arrival of Freesat from Sky in a low key launch on 21st October 2004. If this system is advertised too effectively, Sky risks losing 'Pay-TV' customers. It's called Freesat from Sky because the BBC own the name 'Freesat'. The BBC and ITV plan to offer a Freesat system later in 2007.
The TV viewing card is valid for 5 years and is available separately to anyone for £20. When the 5 year period ends, Sky says the replacement card will cost no more than £20, and it will be replaced free if needed, within 5 years. Fitting this card to your Sky box gives you the Sky Parental Control Facility.
Sky has a new website devoted to Freesat from Sky. See it at www.freesatfromsky.co.uk.
How to get it
To order Freesat from Sky call 0870 240 5651.
You have to pay by phone using a Debit or Credit Card and book an installation date
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
No Sky rental. A Parental Control facility You only pay an installation charge of £130 + £20 for the viewing card. The equipment is new and free. Receive over 220 Free-to-air TV and Radio channels on the Sky EPG including all the Christian, BBC and ITV channels. A 5 year TV viewing card giving Ch4 & Ch5. Channels are tuned-in automatically. No need to have the digibox connected to a phone line. |
You must ring Sky and order over the phone and pay by credit or debit card. After five years the TV viewing card will need renewing. The card may become obsolete if Ch4 and Ch5 end their encryption deals with Sky and choose to go Free-to-Air. Some unwholesome free channels on the Sky EPG. |
Someone who got a 'Freesat from Sky' system said “Dear Steve, Thank you for your excellent website and the email advice you also gave me. As a result I had Freesat-from-Sky installed and it met all my expectations. It has plenty of sound Christian TV and Radio stations to choose from. The installation was efficient with very little inconvenience and took about an hour to complete. I recommend it. Every blessing, Jack L.”
Regular Sky system (with monthly rental)
This is the system most people go for - probably because they don't know about the alternatives! You have to sign a Sky contract and pay rental (from £16) for at least 12 months. You'll get all the Free-to-Air channels on the Sky EPG, and a TV viewing card giving Ch4, Ch5 and a selection of Pay-TV channels depending on the package you sign up for.
Sky is always heavily advertising low cost or even free installation. But take-up has been severely down since Freeview (which uses your aerial) became available.
Every month, the magazine ‘What Satellite and digital TV’, publishes a guide called ‘Sky Digital -
Everything you ever wanted to know about receiving and subscribing’.
More details can be found at www.sky.com.
Or visit a local TV retailer and ask for a copy of a Sky digital application form
(which includes a copy of the contract) so you can take it home and read it.
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
|---|---|
|
A Parental Control facility You keep the system after contract terminated. Receive all 220 Free-to-Air channels on the Sky EPG including all the Christian, BBC and ITV channels. A TV viewing card for Ch4 & Ch5 plus a selection of Pay-TV channels depending on the package you sign up for. Channels are tuned-in automatically. |
Must have a Sky contract (rental) for 12 months. Must cancel at the start of 11th month to ensure contract ends by 12th month. Contract demands connecting the digibox to a phone line for interactive TV. Contracts from £16 a month. Some unwholesome free channels on the Sky EPG. |
Other ways to get a Sky system
Around the country, various satellite suppliers and installers can help you to get a Sky system.
From what I know it will be a system for the free Sky channels only.
If you want Ch4 and Ch5, you might get a TV viewing card from your supplier or, if they don't sell them,
call Freesat from Sky (phone: 08706 061111).
You may well get better aftercare from a local installer than from Sky, particularly with Freesat from Sky, as Sky will give priority to subscribers.
If you see anything on this site that's incorrect or unclear,
please contact us and we'll put it right!
Thanks, Steve Lee.
Why not try....
- Clarity of Vision, can install a Sky Free-to-Air system in Badenoch, Strathspey and West Morayshire “Cheaper than Sky”. Andrew says “ Because I work for myself I have lower overheads than bigger organisations and can give personal service”. Check out www.clarityofvision.co.uk. Tel: 01479 870309 and 07788 616573
- Satellite and Digital Services - SDS, based in Barnstaple, can install a Sky Free-to-Air system in North Devon and parts of Cornwall from £159 and nationwide at an additional price. Check out the options and prices at www.sdsdigital.co.uk. Satellite and Digital Services Limited, Unit 5, Brannam Crescent, Roundswell Business Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 3TD. Tel: 01271 325777
- Digital TV Solutions, based in Bolton, can install a Sky Free-to-Air system in the North West of England area for £150. Check out their comprehensive website at http://www.digital-tv-solutions.net.
- Digital Aerial Solutions, based in Manchester, can install a Sky Free-to-Air system for £150. Check out their comprehensive website at http://www.digital-aerial-solutions.co.uk. Freephone: 0800 3777 355 and for their Text Reply Service - Text "Freesat" to 07706 442 106 and they will ring you straight back.
- Aerial-Tek, can install a Sky Free-to-Air system in the Greater Manchester and NW Lancashire area for £150. Check out their website at http://www.digital-tv-solutions.net.
- Ask a local installer, to supply and fit a system. To find an installer near you, go to our Find an Installer page.
You may want to buy a digibox yourself
You can buy them secondhand, refurbished or new. If so, look at the Buying a receiver page.
Sky Parental Control
Sky Parental Control is available to Sky subscribers, Freesat-from-Sky owners and others who buy a Freesat from Sky TV viewing card and fit it to their sky box. Someone in the house must know the PIN in order to apply these controls and the card must remain in the sky box. If the viewing card is removed from the sky box, all Parental Controls will be lost allowing every 'Free-to-Air' channel to be viewed.
You can restrict viewing of any channel including Free to Air channels.
You can also remove all listings for adult channels from the Sky Guide.
To remove or reinstate any channel, your PIN is required.
Instructions can be found at Sky's Help Centre - follow the links below
To Restrict or Lock individual channels
To Remove adult channels from the TV listings
If you forget your PIN, check out the following
Help And Information About Your PIN
I've been told that Freesat-from-Sky owners who lose their PIN will have to call 08708 500033. When calling, Sky will require your phone number before assisting. They will want to identify the caller and your address before giving you a PIN.
Here's feedback from a recent (June 2006) Freesat-from-Sky customer.
“We have now had freesat installed and I must say it works well.
Sky advise that the viewing card is not removed as this can create problems including needing to have the
signal re-setting, so this provides enough incentive for nobody to touch it.
The parental controls are better than I thought.
As well as having the option of blocking some channels 100% and some after 8pm, there is the option of automatically blocking all "Adult" channels.
In addition, there is a grading system for programmes now like the one used in cinemas i.e. PG, 12, 15, 18.
You can therefore automatically block all 18 certificate programmes, for example for channels that participate.
Not all channels bother with this, but the more popular ones do (including, I am pleased to say, Channel 4), so it provides an extra safeguard.
I would very much recommend freesat to Christians who want to keep control of what's being viewed.
It is not foolproof, but with careful control, can be used effectively.”
J Craxford
Sky Box Tip
Sometimes my Sky box locks up and I'm sure others do as well. Does your Sky box get stuck on standby and not switch on? To get mine going I switch off power from the mains, wait a few seconds and power up again. It then takes a minute or so to start working again.