freeview through your sky dish

[Readie]

My mother in law is going to have to cancel her sky subscription due to finacial problems. Instead of buying a freeview box will she be able to get freeview channels thru her dish and old sky box?
If so will she get the same channels as on freeview?

[dholdi]

According to this you should be able to receive all the channels currently broadcast on freeview.
Sky TV Free To Air Channels - Sky Packages

[Tezcatlipoca]

The BBC, ITV, C4 channels etc. are all "Free to Air" (FTA), & can be viewed with the old Sky box & dish with no need for a viewing card.

Certain channels (e.g. Five, IIRC) are "Free to View" (FTV), and are encrypted (but still free). They need a £20 "Freesat from Sky" card, or, I think, an expired Sky viewing card (e.g. her current card once everything is cancelled).

Freesat from Sky:

What is FREESAT from Sky? - FREESAT from Sky

FREESAT from Sky - What's on TV - FREESAT from Sky

FREESAT from Sky - Frequently Asked Questions - FREESAT from Sky

[Ned Ludd]

Her existing card will revert to 'Freesat' (or whatever it's called now) so, she'll be OK!

[Readie]

i just checked out that freesat from sky link which says
"Q: I already have Sky digital satellite equipment - what else do I need?
A: All you need to gain access to the free channels available on the digital satellite platform is a Freesat from Sky viewing card, which costs just £20. If you’d like to access the interactive services available, you’ll also need a working phone line. To purchase a viewing card please phone Sky on 08448 244 400."

So all i need to know now is if the old viewing card will work for freesat or if she'll have to pay £20 to sky for a freesat card?

[Readie]

whoops, didn't see that reply everything should be dandy then, 240 channels and no money exchanged!

[Smithy99]

As advised above, her existing card will revert to a freesat card when it has been cancelled.