What Legal FTA channels in Ireland?

Eddiethehill · 30-12-2002 11:42PM #1

Can anyone help me please?

My TV arial finally packed in just before Christmas putting me back in RTE/TV3/TG4 land. I don't want to put it back up again as reception from Divis was poor anyway and I could never use the teletext.

I am only interested in the FTA channels particularly BBC2 and C4.
The Dixons/Powercity Sky salesmen said I can only get these channels if I buy their SKY package and pay big up front.

I have looked at going up North and buying a box and applying for a UK FTA card using a friends Enniskillen address, not difficult to do.

But I would rather do this LEGALLY if I can.

So, what can I do today (DEC 2002) to get a Satellite dish with the Irish and UK FTA channels without pretending I live somewhere I don't.

I live in rural Meath beyond the reach of cable. I don't fancy paying MMDS subscriptions and would rather just buy a box and dish outright.

So, a legal way of seeing the stuff I saw on my old Hirchmann arial I what I am seeking.

BTW I am not up to speed on all the technical jargon yet, so please be gentle.

All the best and thanks in advance,
Eddiethehill.

Lennoxschips · 31-12-2002 01:03AM

You can get BBC2 if you go for one of the more expensive Sky packages. Channel 4 is not available on Irish sky at all at all. The Dixons man was misinformed.

The only 100% legal way to get Channel 4 is to pay and arm and a leg for poor reception via MMDS, or to put up a large antenna and try and pull in the analogue signals.

The only way to get Channel 4 in Ireland on satellite is via either a British Sky Subscription or a BBC FTV card. As you mentioned, you can't do this wihtout pretending do live somwhere you don't. And this is of course not 100% legal.

sceptre · 31-12-2002 01:12PM

... and RTE isn't FTA (or FTV) - the lowest paid package you can get it on is the Sky Family Pack (in other words: RTE isn't available for free AND the lowest subscription package you can get it on is the Family pack).

DMC · 31-12-2002 01:47PM

Well, if you get a second-hand, out of subscription UK Sky Digibox, complete with FTV card, and bring it down here, no one will come looking for you. Its a grey area/market You own the box, you can legally look at the channels FTA without a viewing card.

Rural Meath, eh? Which part?

Eddiethehill · 31-12-2002 08:41PM

I'm in the Trim Area.
I was in with Dixons in Blanchardstown and I offered to buy the salellite box and dish outright but I was told that this was impossible.

They could only let me have the box if I bought a subscription and then they would install the box free.

I said I could do that for myself but the salesman would not consider that.

The agent at the SKY UK sales number (8702 40 40 04 ) said they would happily sell me a box in the North for 169 Pounds sterling. She said that that was a straightforward sale as far as they were concerned.

There was no need for a subscription. Just ring up for an FTA card and away you go!

They won't send FTA cards to the south though. I tried that. :-(

I can get RTE or TV3 or TG4 without an outdoor arial without problems.

I'll see if I can get an FTA card somehow, probably using a friend's address.

Thanks everyone for the information.

Is Mise...

Eddiethehill

What Legal FTA channels in Ireland?

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