Our monthly cost for Sky has gone up to a whopping £68 a month, so we've decided that come the end of contract in May, we're just going to pot it all together.

But what are the alternatives? We don't live in a cable area so Virgin is out of the question.

So that leaves us with Freeview, Freesat and Youview - is there any different between them nowadays? They all seem to offer HD, recording and pausing TV and all seem to offer catch up/on demand content, so I'm not sure which is best, if any?

Any help, much appreciated.

Yes there are a few differences. Channels on Freeview depends on access to a decent transmitter. Local transmitters might not offer all multiplexes/bouquets or whatever they're called. Freesat/Freeview offer a slightly different mix of channels.

Freeview plus or whatever... is supposed to offer a 7 day catch-up service but I've not had opportunity to try it. Friends in London have the BT on-demand service and find that OK.

Ultimately though, Sky have the buying power and more good, new stuff tends to end up there.... Amongst the 1000s of channels of detritus.

J.

You only get what you pay for im afraid. Sky and virgin are best but you pay for it. My personal preference is SKY as sky atlantic HD has some great shows.

I downgraded my package as costs were getting scary but even on the basic package its still not cheap. Problem is freeview is guff in comparison but what do you expect for far less money.

If there was a half decent rival to SKY or Virgin i think we would all be using it, in reality non of the freeview type offerings are anywhere near as good as the big 2. Pity as i would bin SKY in a heartbeat if there was something almost as good for a lot less cash.

Never had it don't miss it.

I'm looking at upping the broadband package because we do more streaming than anything else now. Freeview plus would be an option but we only get a quarter of the channels. You'll need to check the coverage in your area.

The best option is probably to use both freeview and freesat. If your telly is reasonably new it'll probably have Freeview built in and you can possibly use your old Skybox to get freeview. Between the two you should be able to get most things.

I subscribe to Lovefilm too because I don't really watch telly but I do like films. I also get the box sets of the better programs through it. I pay £10 a month but it works out cheaper for me since I don't buy DVDs any more.

I'd have a word with Sky themselves and see if you can have a deal with them.

When we moved this time last year I wanted multi-room throughout but it was going to cost £10 a month for each additional box.

As we're on the highest package, Sky Sports, Movies and ESPN it was going to be nigh on £120 (IIRC) a month, as the phone and internet is with them.

Ended up getting a really helpful bloke and for the first year only paid for 1 box. Renewal is up at the end of the month so will try and have a deal again as I'm a long standing customer :think:

Always worth a shot

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/cheaper-sky-cheap-cable

Freesat will give you loads more channels than freeview and you already have the dish set up ready to go.

I'd go that way if it was me.

Take out Sky box, pay one of fee to buy a decent freesat recorder receive this list of channels absolutely free...forever.

Freeview is better than Freesat IMO.

Have freesat in the bedroom because there is only a satellite feed into there.

Most of the channels are pretty much a waste of time unless you like watching very low budget films on True Movies.

Ring them up and tell them you're leaving because it's too expensive, they tend to be quite forthcoming with substantial discounts -I think especially as you spend so much, they'll go a fair way to keep your business.

Freeview is better than Freesat IMO.

Have freesat in the bedroom because there is only a satellite feed into there.

Most of the channels are pretty much a waste of time unless you like watching very low budget films on True Movies.

Not everywhere gets all the Freeview channels though. I only get 16 channels (with a weak signal so only on the main aerial) whereas with Freesat I can pick up most of the rest of them (except Dave :( ).

Edited 7 January, 201313 yr by Aspman

Not everywhere gets all the Freeview channels though. I only get 16 channels (with a weak signal so only on the main aerial)

Same here in Blandford, we had no Freeview until switchover was complete. Now we get 16 channels off the local transmitter (including radio) and that's it. The terrain between home and the nearest main transmitter means no reception from it, hence the local transmitter. Before switchover Blandford had 4 analogue channels from the same transmitter, no Freeview or even Channel 5.

In Blandford choice is very limited, if you want a full package of channels its either Freesat or Sky. I get phone / broadband (unlimited) and TV from Sky, and don't pay anywhere near £68. I don't get movies or Sport, but have HD.

I get most of the freeview channels. Dave isnt available on freesat btw.

What's the score with no Dave on freesat? No Man vs Food? what's the world coming to?

I have freesat hd+

Box was £150 and im using my old sky dish! For the channels i watch i think its class!

5 free HD channels! Didnt even get that on my sky+!

Freeview is better than Freesat IMO.

Have freesat in the bedroom because there is only a satellite feed into there.

Most of the channels are pretty much a waste of time unless you like watching very low budget films on True Movies.

That depends on where you live.

Around here Freeview has very few channels, because we get a signal from a transmitter that has already been re-transmitted twice. Each time you loose a bit more. Freesat gives us a lot more choice (but I still can't get Dave!!)

Sky will do a lot to retain customers. I know several people who went to cancel their sky subscription and were offered a free upgrade to Sky + HD, That sort of thing. They may even reduce the price you're currently paying if you told them that's why you're cancelling. Might be worth having a look though.

What's the score with no Dave on freesat? No Man vs Food? what's the world coming to?

you can blame Sky for that.

http://recombu.com/digital/news/why-cant-i-watch-the-same-channels-on-freesat-and-freeview-dave-quest-viva-yesterday-really_M10927.html

That depends on where you live.

Around here Freeview has very few channels, because we get a signal from a transmitter that has already been re-transmitted twice. Each time you loose a bit more. Freesat gives us a lot more choice (but I still can't get Dave!!)

Who needs freeview when you have all those lovely sheep to watch? Still not as bad as the days of only 4 terrestrial channels and one of them is S4-*******-C.

Nothing wrong with S4C. At least they produce Ralio+

When I cancelled my Sky they offered me all sorts of great packages to keep it.

So it's worth phoning up to cancel and see what they offer.

Could save you ££.

After all, it really costs them nothing.

I still cancelled anyway because I'm down to less than two hours of TV per week and freeview is fine as I can still see the BTCC.

Other than that and Top Gear I can take or leave anything else or catch it on YouTube.

you can blame Sky for that.

http://recombu.com/digital/news/why-cant-i-watch-the-same-channels-on-freesat-and-freeview-dave-quest-viva-yesterday-really_M10927.html

no, you can thank capitalism for that, it's all about the money

no, you can thank capitalism for that, it's all about the money

Sorry, I thought Murdoch Inc was a byword for capitolism :p

you can blame Sky for that.

http://recombu.com/digital/news/why-cant-i-watch-the-same-channels-on-freesat-and-freeview-dave-quest-viva-yesterday-really_M10927.html

Doesnt bother me, i've been very happy with freeview since 2005 but I always wonder why my mate doesn't have it.

Depends on what you want an d what you are prepared to pay for it.

Freeview off Emley moor gives lots of channels and 4 in HD.

In Dewsubry boradband should be good so BBC iplayer and all the rest should be fine over broadband.

Nothing wrong with S4C. At least they produce Ralio+

No longer relevant but going back to the 90s, I'd have happily burnt down Culverhouse Cross or wherever they were based to get C4 instead.

The only redeeming feature was watching Sgorio back in the day long before C4 started showing Italian football.