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Want Sky sports for Olympics but...

  • 03-01-2012 07:01PM
    #1
    mel.b
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭


    I've managed to survive without Sky TV for 4 years, however with the Olympics coming later this year I would really like to get Sky as the RTE coverage is ****e to say the least. However I don't fancy forking out nearly 60euro a month for the next 12months just so I can watch a couple of weeks of sports.

    Is it possible to sign up to the basic package and then add the sports closer to the time? Do I then need to keep the sports for 12months or can I cancel it the next month?

    Thanks,
    Mel.b


Comments

  • #2
    listermint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 35,037 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    Em, Wont the coverage be ALL over the BBC and its many channel variants. Surely a freeview box would be a better option no ?

    I doubt sky would have better / more coverage than BBC


  • #3
    mel.b
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭mel.b


    Ah cheers, I hadn't thought of that.

    So all I need to do is get a saorview box (which I have to get anyway) and then I will be able to get BBC (plus all the other channels)?


  • #4
    T.C.O.B
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 60 ✭✭T.C.O.B


    BBC is the exclusive UK broadcaster, Sky'll just have reporters scattered outside the venues but no pictures!

    Don't think Saorview offers anything other than the Irish channels so you may need to get the cheapest UPC/Sky packages to get BBC (though I'm sure there are some cowboys out there who could hook you up on the cheap!)

    That being said RTE's coverage has always been pretty good particularilly for the major events (athletics, swimming etc) granted it may not be as fullsome in its coverage of the archery and clay piegon shooting!

    Also bare in mind it's a London games so I'm sure that on the BBC, unless in the unlikely circumstance we win a medal, you won't even realise that there are any Irish participants!


  • #5
    mel.b
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭mel.b


    Thanks TCOB. I'm an Aussie living in Ireland, so won't be getting much coverage of Aussie athletes either! I just found for the last Olympics the RTE coverage so poor in comparision to the coverage we get in Australia (which is essentially 24hrs). It seemed like boxing was on every night (granted, there were Irish competing which is probably why), but I found coverage of things like the swimming, athletics, cycling, gymnastics and rowing to be really really lacking.

    Can someone clarify if I can get BBC with saorview?


  • #6
    RolandIRL
    Closed Accounts Posts: 11,924 ✭✭✭✭RolandIRL


    No, you won't get BBC with Saorview. You can get a satellite dish and a box to receive BBC with once off payments for the dish + box and installation and no monthly subscription fees (like Sky or UPC have).


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  • #7
    listermint
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 35,037 ✭✭✭✭listermint


    mel.b wrote: »
    Thanks TCOB. I'm an Aussie living in Ireland, so won't be getting much coverage of Aussie athletes either! I just found for the last Olympics the RTE coverage so poor in comparision to the coverage we get in Australia (which is essentially 24hrs). It seemed like boxing was on every night (granted, there were Irish competing which is probably why), but I found coverage of things like the swimming, athletics, cycling, gymnastics and rowing to be really really lacking.

    Can someone clarify if I can get BBC with saorview?


    No i said 'Freeview' which is the UK spec system which we can receive via satellite. Saorview is ireland digital setup which will only give you RTE1/2 TV3 3E.

    You can get a Freeview box or a Freesat box to receive all the BBC channels this would involve a box and satellite setup which could be achieved for as little as 100-150 euro.See the Satellite forums for more detailed advice. But i would think this is more suited to what you are looking for.


  • #8
    mel.b
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,920 ✭✭✭mel.b


    Ok, thanks for clarfying that. I already have a satellite from when a previous flatmate had Sky - can that be used to receive freeview? Will head off to the satellite forum to do some reading now.

    Cheers,
    Mel.b


  • #9
    pH
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,188 ✭✭✭pH


    mel.b wrote: »
    Ok, thanks for clarfying that. I already have a satellite from when a previous flatmate had Sky - can that be used to receive freeview? Will head off to the satellite forum to do some reading now.

    Cheers,
    Mel.b

    Presuming that the cable(s) is still connected and in the right place, and no damage or shifting of the dish has occurred over the years then it should be just a matter of plugging a sat box in and turning it on.

    Just to clarify:

    Freeview is the UK terrestrial digital TV system (use an aerial) - it's very confusing to mention in when you're talking about satellite.

    You have 2 choices for the sat box - "Free to air" boxes are cheap, sold everywhere (you see them in LIDL for example) and will autotune all the available free channels. However you only get "now and next" in terms of what programs are on and you get no interactive services.

    Freesat is the free UK satellite offering which offers a full EPG and interactive services - it will also keep up with new stations and changes which an FTA box won't (you have to know there are new channels and rescan)

    By far the best option is a cheap HD Freesat box - or if you want recording get a Freesat+.


  • #10
    Mr E
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 55,791 ✭✭✭✭Mr E


    Moving from TV to Satellite forum...


  • #11
    icdg
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 12,879 Mod ✭✭✭✭icdg


    mel.b wrote: »
    Ok, thanks for clarfying that. I already have a satellite from when a previous flatmate had Sky - can that be used to receive freeview? Will head off to the satellite forum to do some reading now.

    Cheers,
    Mel.b

    You can receive the BBC (and other free) channels with an out-of-contract Sky receiver, yes. You may wish to invest in a dedicated free-to-air satellite receiver if you are intending on doing this long term though.

    Sky have no rights to the Olympics and as a poster mentioned above won't even have pictures - the IOC are very protective of rights during the Olympics. As I recall Sky Sports News were more interested in the football transfer window than the Olympics in 2008 and didn't even give them top billing.


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  • #12
    GerardKeating
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,074 ✭✭✭GerardKeating


    listermint wrote: »
    No i said 'Freeview' which is the UK spec system which we can receive via satellite.
    listermint wrote: »


    NO, FreeSAT is the UK Satellite system. Freeview is digital terrestrial (same as SaorView).

    Saorview is ireland digital setup which will only give you RTE1/2 TV3 3E.
    listermint wrote: »
    You can get a Freeview box or a Freesat box to receive all the BBC channels this would involve a box and satellite setup which could be achieved for as little as 100-150 euro.See the Satellite forums for more detailed advice. But i would think this is more suited to what you are looking for.


  • #13
    afatbollix
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,196 ✭✭✭afatbollix


    BBC is not the only station to have rights

    Eurosport 1
    Eurosport 2
    And Eurosport HD

    Will also show the Olympics.

    Rte will only have one channel show the Olympics at a time. So let's hope they pick the sport you like!


  • #14
    NUTZZ
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,101 ✭✭✭NUTZZ


    BBC will have huge coverage on the red button, and BBC Three will start broadcasting 24 hours for the month of the Olympics covering it!


  • #15
    STB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,175 ✭✭✭STB


    mel.b wrote: »
    Ah cheers, I hadn't thought of that.

    So all I need to do is get a saorview box (which I have to get anyway) and then I will be able to get BBC (plus all the other channels)?

    G'day

    There is a (quite popular) box that does both the Saorview Stations and the Satellite Stations (BBC HD, the BBC Red Button streams etc), all on one remote, in the one channel list (customisable). It also plays MKV Media files from USb drive. You can also record programmes to a USB drive.

    Its less than €100 and there are no bills and NO Sky subscriptions involved. Its all legal. You can connect it the cable from your existing satellite dish and aerial all out of the box.

    That simple.

    Ferguson Ariva 120 HD Combo
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056284276

    It will also work in Australia. :)


  • #16
    Minstrel27
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,818 ✭✭✭Minstrel27


    BBC wont be beaten by anyone for coverage. Multiple channels, HD and 3D (if you want it). I imagine the Germans could do a good showing for it too.


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