Sky TV customers urged to act and get free TV

Sky is taking "much longer" than originally expected to shift satellite fans to streaming, a TV expert has warned. But Sky TV customers have been told to cancel their subscriptions and get TV for free - thanks to Freesat.

Sky has been pushing ahead with TV that relies on the internet instead of a satellite dish since 2021. And Sky dish owners can access channels via Freesat if they have old satellite dishes on their house , reports Birmingham Live.

Paolo Pescatore, an expert for PP Foresight, previously told The Sun it is "highly unlikely" Sky will ever release a new satellite box. He says the arrival of a more affordable slimmer model "should strongly resonate with customers" but it "does show a clear razor sharp focus on new sales".

"The majority of its existing subscribers are still on the tried and trusted Sky Q platform which relies on a satellite dish," he explained.

"Converting this base is taking the company much longer than it originally expected. On this basis Sky Glass has not been as successful as the company had anticipated."

"Despite this, the move in general made sense given the direction of travel with what I’m calling the big TV switch off; likely to happen now in the 2030s and to defend against the rise and threat of streamers by allowing Sky to control the experience and manage customer relationships which it has successfully been able to do.

"Also and more importantly, it has allowed Sky to secure retail distribution agreements for products like Sky Stream with others." Freesat explained: "Yes, to use Freesat you need a satellite dish, but it doesn’t need to be new! Even if it’s a Sky satellite dish or an older model, all you need to do is plug the satellite cables into the back of your Freesat 4K TV Box and you’re good to go.

"Don’t have a satellite dish? Head to Getmeviewing.org.uk to find a local satellite dish installer." With Freesat you can enjoy over 100 channels including 20+ in HD, as well as your favourite line up of free and premium apps from streaming giants BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Netflix, YouTube, 5 and U just to name a few.

"If you’re thinking about moving from Sky TV to Freesat you can use the same satellite dish! The dish you have will affect how many channels you can record at once on your 4K TV Box. Find out more about the different LNB types," it adds.

"That’s one of the benefits of satellite TV – so long as you have a satellite dish, you’ll be able to watch Freesat with 100% channel coverage in the UK," it goes on to state. However, if your satellite dish can’t be positioned to face the satellite without obstructions, you might have some trouble," it continues.

Pescatore warned Sky is still "hugely reliant" on its core and lucrative Sky Q base which it "must avoid upsetting as there are a slew of cheaper alternative TV platforms and services in the market".