Equipment
Apart from a TV, what other equipment do I need?
Is the equipment mine to keep?
I already have Sky digital satellite equipment - what else do I
need?
Can you get any high definition channels with Freesat from Sky?
What happens if I move house?
Costs
Do I have to subscribe to Sky Digital to get Freesat from Sky?
FREESAT from Sky availability
I can't get Freeview in my area - will I be able to get Freesat from
Sky?
What's the difference between Freeview and Freesat from Sky?
Contacting Sky
What do I do if I have problems with my equipment?
Upgrading
Once I have Freesat from Sky is it easy to subscribe to Sky TV packages?
The digital switchover
Do I have to switch to digital TV?
Will I lose TV channels if I don’t switchover?
Will I have to get a new TV?
Will I need to retune my TV?
Accessibility
Are Sky programmes and account information available in other formats?
Equipment
Apart from a TV, what other equipment do I need?
An engineer from Sky will provide you with all the equipment you’ll need on the date of
installation: a SkyHD box, a minidish, a remote control and a Freesat from Sky viewing card - the
same equipment as our Sky TV subscribers. Standard installation of your equipment is also
included.
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Is the equipment mine to keep?
Yes, all the equipment is yours to keep.
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I already have Sky digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?
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.
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Can you get any high definition channels with Freesat from Sky?
There are six free to air HD channels – BBC HD, BBC One HD, ITV1 HD, Channel 4 HD, Channel 5 HD
and Luxury Life HD - available without any subscriptions. To watch these HD channels you will need
a SkyHD box and an HD-ready TV (a valid viewing card is required for Channel 4 HD). ITV1 HD is only
available in England and Wales.
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What happens if I move house?
A reinstall at a new address will be charged at £50. Please keep us informed of any change of
address by phoning Sky on
08448 244 400 to ensure that we can help you get up and running correctly and
means we’ll know how to contact you if your viewing card ever needs replacing.
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Costs
Do I have to subscribe to Sky Digital to get Freesat from Sky?
No, you only have to pay a one-off fee of £175† and you will receive over 240 free-to-air
digital satellite TV channels and all the equipment is yours to keep.
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FREESAT from Sky availability
I can't get Freeview in my area - will I be able to get Freesat from Sky?
Sky’s incredible 98% coverage compared to Freeview’s 73% means almost everyone can receive
Freesat from Sky.*
*If you live in a block of flats you may have to access Freesat from Sky via a communal
satellite dish or an Integrated Reception System. Please check with your landlord, managing agent
or owner of the property and call us for more information.
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What's the difference between Freeview and Freesat from Sky?
With Freesat from Sky you receive the digital signal via a satellite dish to a set-top box,
unlike Freeview, which you receive via an aeriel to a set top box or a TV with an in-built tuner.
For you, this means better coverage (Freesat from Sky’s coverage is 98% compared to Freeview’s
73%). Find out more on our
comparison page.
Not only this, but with Freesat from Sky you’ll also have access to over four times the number
of channels available on Freeview.
You’ll also be able to upgrade to Sky TV at any time without the need for new digital satellite
equipment or installation.
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Contacting Sky
What do I do if I have problems with my equipment?
You can call Sky 24/7 with any technical queries on
08448 244 400.
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Upgrading
Once I have Freesat from Sky is it easy to subscribe to Sky TV packages?
Yes, you can order an upgrade to Sky digital with just one phone call on
08448 244 400.
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The digital switchover
Do I have to switch to digital TV?
The government has already begun switching off the analogue television signal in certain TV
regions, and this will continue TV region by TV region between 2008 and 2012.
This means that anyone wanting to watch TV in the UK after their area’s date of switch-off must
have digital TV.
The sooner you go digital with Sky, however, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy all the benefits
of all the digital TV and radio channels available on our digital satellite platform.
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Will I lose TV channels if I don’t switchover?
Yes, you will after your TV region switchover date, but buying Freesat from Sky will ensure you
won’t lose those channels.
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Will I have to get a new TV?
In order to watch high definition channels you will need an HD-ready TV. The installer will
connect your SkyHD box to your HD-ready TV with the supplied HDMI cable during your installation.
This will ensure the best possible connection and picture quality.
For standard definition TVs, if your TV was manufactured after 1996 it will have a SCART
socket (the rectangular socket with holes for 21 pins). The installer will connect your SkyHD box
with the supplied SCART cable during your installation. This will ensure the best possible
connection and picture quality for a standard definition TV.
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Will I need to retune my TV?
You won’t have to retune your TV – our engineer will do this for you. It’s all part of our
service.
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Accessibility
Are Sky programmes and account information available in other formats?
Freesat from Sky customers can enjoy Sky programmes with Audio Description, Subtitles and Sign
Language when available. Sky subscribers also have access to our dedicated Accessible Customer
Service Team who can offer alternative expert advice on
08442 410 333.
Our Accessibility website,
www.sky.com/thebiggerpicture/accessibility provides
information on all products and services. We also provide a dedicated
email address for people who prefer to
communicate electronically.
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