Sky "Pay Once,Watch Forever" and "FreeSat"

TheOne · 24-01-2009, 17:55

I cant seem to see the difference between these 2 packages, other than the POWF (Pay Once, Watch Forever) gives you 4 mixes for 4 months, after which you can cancel.

So then why is the POWF package so cheap compared to the Freesat ?

http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk

Anyone ?

zing · 24-01-2009, 17:57

its obviously a promotion to hook you. Chances are the half price one will involve an older box also I guess

**Chris** · 24-01-2009, 18:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOne

I cant seem to see the difference between these 2 packages, other than the POWF (Pay Once, Watch Forever) gives you 4 mixes for 4 months, after which you can cancel.

So then why is the POWF package so cheap compared to the Freesat ?

http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk

Anyone ?

Because they want you to try out their subscription channels, in the hope you'll either like them and decide to continue subscribing, or else forget that if you don't phone them after four months, you'll end up subscribing by default - and they won't remind you of that, either.

If you're certain that you don't want Sky's subscription channels, and you would like to future-proof your TV viewing by getting a set-top box that's HD ready or, better still, a PVR like the Sky+ service (except without having to pay a monthly subscription for it), then you would be better looking at 'proper' Freesat rather than Sky's version of it. Sky's version, as you have seen, only really exists so they have your details and can endlessly pester you to 'upgrade'. Sky's version will not give you HD and it will not allow you to watch one channel while recording another.

Have a look at www.freesat.co.uk.

i-Set · 24-01-2009, 18:07

hey what a coincidence, Ive just had my pay once forever package for Â£73 installed today. bargain if you ask me, so dish is free along with the installation and new sky box - not old - you know the thomson models with sky blue light.

basically the Â£73 is to cover the 4 months free 4 mixes, it is cheaper so your hooked onto the channels and they anticipate you to keep the package for 12 months. hence why its cheaper. The sky man even allowed me to keep my old sky line in the living room so i can watch freeview

got an old pace box

I say go for it

joglynne · 24-01-2009, 18:11

I see that, unlike the free sky option, Freesat provides some HD content.

http://www.freesat.co.uk/index.php?page=hd.Main

alferret · 24-01-2009, 21:14

We had Sky, added multi room after a year, kept it for a year then cancelled.
We have freesat & freeview in our bedroom and the living room and the kids have freeview in their rooms.
TBH there isnt enough content for us on any sky mix thats worth paying a subscription for.
We will be getting a HUMAX HD STB for the living room next month to take advantage of the free HD content that is availiable from freesat.

LondonRoad · 24-01-2009, 21:18

Freestat epg has the advantage of not having to scroll through hundreds of channels you don't subscibe to and never intend to subscribe to.

**Chris** · 24-01-2009, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmitage

Freestat epg has the advantage of not having to scroll through hundreds of channels you don't subscibe to and never intend to subscribe to.

Plus, when viewing the in-screen now & next information, it allows you to view synopses for programmes showing on channels other than the one you're watching, which Sky's doesn't do.

All in all I think the Freesat EPG is a big improvement on Sky's, and not just because it's not loaded down with dozens of irrelevant channels.

TheOne · 24-01-2009, 22:09

If i wanted to get the HD channels as part of the POWF deal, could i not just swap the standard box for the Sky HD box? (so that would allow me to watch the free HD channels)

The freesat from Sky costs Â£146 with the dish and standard box installed

But how much would the freesat (BBC/ITV) cost for the HD box, dish and installation ?

Thanks for the interesting input so far people

LondonRoad · 24-01-2009, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOne

If i wanted to get the HD channels as part of the POWF deal, could i not just swap the standard box for the Sky HD box?

The freesat from Sky costs Â£146 with the dish and box installed (allowing you to watch HD)
But how much would the freesat (BBC/ITV) cost for the HD box, dish and installation ?

You don't get any free HD from Sky. I don't what you're reading but you're either reading it wrong or they're misleading you.

**Chris** · 24-01-2009, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheOne

If i wanted to get the HD channels as part of the POWF deal, could i not just swap the standard box for the Sky HD box? (so that would allow me to watch the free HD channels)

The freesat from Sky costs Â£146 with the dish and standard box installed

But how much would the freesat (BBC/ITV) cost for the HD box, dish and installation ?

Thanks for the interesting input so far people

You cannot get A Sky HD box with FreesatFromSky, and it says as much in their FAQs:

Quote:

Q: Can you get any high definition channels with Freesat From Sky?

A. No. To watch HD channels on Sky you need to get a Sky HD box. There are three HD channels - BBC HD, Channel 4 HD and Luxe TV HD - available without any subscriptions. To watch these HD channels you will need a Sky HD box and an HD-ready TV (a valid viewing card is required for Channel 4 HD).
A Sky HD subscription is also available, offering 15 more HD channels and a choice of on-demand high definition programmes. For more information call 08442 411 614 or visit sky.com/hd.

http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/faqs-freesat.aspx#q4

Neither is it possible to get an HD box as part of the Pay Once, Watch Forever deal. Again, this is stated in their FAQs:

Quote:

Q: Are there any high definition channels with Pay Once Watch Forever?

A: No. To watch HD channels on Sky you need to get a Sky+HD box. There are three HD channels - BBC HD, Channel 4 HD and Luxe TV HD - available without any subscriptions. To watch these HD channels you will need a Sky+HD box and an HD-ready TV (a valid viewing card is required for Channel 4 HD).
A Sky+HD subscription is also available, offering 15 more HD channels and a choice of on-demand high definition programmes. For more information call 08442 411 614 or visit sky.com/hd.

http://www.freesatfromsky.co.uk/faqs-pay-once.aspx#q3

You can get a Sky HD box without taking out a Sky HD subscription, but not direct from Sky. You would have to go to an independent, Sky-accredited installer, buy the box off them (for about Â£200) and then arrange installation direct with them. Installation would not be free or subsidised by Sky in those circumstances. In short, none of the benefits of their FreesatFromSky deals are available to you if you insist on having a Sky HD box.

If you want hassle-free HD, you really need to go to www.freesat.co.uk.

ShadowTD · 26-01-2009, 11:22

So what's the Â£200 SkyHD POWF box in Tesco? Scotch mist? Do Sky not even know their own offerings?

**Chris** · 26-01-2009, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShadowTD

So what's the Â£200 SkyHD POWF box in Tesco? Scotch mist? Do Sky not even know their own offerings?

It looks like it. Perhaps you could take note of the T&Cs on it next time you're in, and then post them here?

At a guess, I'd say it gives you subscription to a HD package for 3-4 months then you have to cancel or else start paying monthly. You would still get BBC-HD, C4-HD and Luxe-HD after that as they are FTV (FTA in the case of BBC).

But even that is at odds with the information on their own website, so who knows?

tweetypie/8 · 26-01-2009, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by harmitage

Freestat epg has the advantage of not having to scroll through hundreds of channels you don't subscibe to and never intend to subscribe to.

cant argue with that.

TheOne · 26-01-2009, 17:31

Is this the one ? http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.204-8499.aspx