What FTA channels are available after Sky Q?

muffler · 13-09-2021 08:10PM #1

After the contract is up for Sky Q what FTA channels are available?

In days of old lots of free channels were available using the Sky+ boxes but Im not sure what the position is now with Sky Q.

icdg · 13-09-2021 08:57PM

With Sky Q you’ve to give the box back if you cancel, you only rent it. With previous Sky tech you owned the box but since Sky Q was introduced it is now rented (doesn’t stop them charging you a hefty “upgrade fee” though in some instances).

muffler · 13-09-2021 09:36PM

Yeah Im aware of the need to return the Q box when the contract is up. But I understand a dish is also being fitted (first time customer) so Im wondering if said dish can be used to get FTA channels when the box is returned?

swoofer · 13-09-2021 10:32PM

You will have to change the LNB as well unless they fit a hybrid lnb that will have legacy ports.

icdg · 13-09-2021 11:41PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117887051#Comment_117887051

The answer is yes, subject to several caveats;

You might have thought ahead and requested a hybrid LNB.
You replace the LNB yourself
You replace the Sky box with an Arris Freesat 4K receiver (the only one that will work with a wideband LNB)

The fact that you had Sky Q won’t effect what channels you can receive with your new solution.

muffler · 13-09-2021 11:43PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117887345#Comment_117887345

So is it just a case of changing the lnb? Would that be sufficient then to get the FTA channels or is there anything else I should watch out for? There is an old Sky+ box somewhere in the house.

Atlantic Dawn · 13-09-2021 11:48PM

An alternative to changing the LNB is to instead buy a current generation official Freesat box, these will work with existing setup, you can get a non recordable version and recordable versions. Amazon, Argos UK and Richersounds stock them...

https://www.freesat.co.uk/get-freesat/set-top-boxes/recordable-4k-tv-box

https://www.freesat.co.uk/get-freesat/set-top-boxes/4k-tv-box

Here's a list of the channels you will get...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free-to-air_channels_at_Astra_28.2%C2%B0E_(Ireland_and_the_United_Kingdom)

swoofer · 14-09-2021 10:49AM

Look at the lnb and if it has 6 outputs then it will be ok. using an old sky + box can mean 2 things, if its very old it will only pick up SD channels and if its the HD box then it will need a UK freesat card to get the Free to air channels. These cards used to be on adverts ie or done deal. Very cheap.

muffler · 14-09-2021 04:28PM

Thanks guys for all the replies.

Its actually my daughter who is getting Sky installed on Friday next. I never had SkyQ myself so couldnt really help her with the couple of questions she had. She was trying to keep her options open wrt the end of contract. As I see it now she can (if she leaves Sky in a year from now) look about getting the lnb replaced and use an old Sky+ box with a Freesat card ... I have a couple of those cards here or she can keep the dish and lnb as it is and buy an official Freesat box.

I might pop over on Friday when the installer is there and speak nice to him in the hope he will fit one of the hybrid lnb's.

muffler · 15-09-2021 12:00PM

Forgot to add that this is a first time installation so everything including dish will be new.

Gerry Wicklow · 15-09-2021 01:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117890686#Comment_117890686

Just a reminder that not all FTA channels are available on FreeSat, especially CH4 HD. Likewise Irish channels are not FTA on the UK satellites. A hybrid LNB would open the options to get a combo box for full access to all satellite FTA and terrestrial versions of the Irish channels. The hybrid also gives the option for 2 FTA boxes in other locations while still using Sky Q.

That said replacing an LNB when the time comes is a fairly simple DIY job if you have safe, easy access to the dish.

muffler · 15-09-2021 03:19PM

Thanks Gerry. Much appreciated.

What FTA channels are available after Sky Q?

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