Sky Abroad (Europe etc)
(Information)

Last Updated 06 May 2008

Free UK TV and Radio Channels. 

What Free TV Channels will I get?

The Free channel lists seems to change weekly, below is a typical selection as of March 2007

BBC1, BBC2 & ITV are broadcast in the clear but Channel 4 & 5 can only be viewed with a Sky Freesat card or as part of a Sky subscription package, if you wish to subscribe, the packages start at around £16.00 per month. 

To obtain a subscription card telephone Sky on 08702 404040 please note the subscription cards are only sent to UK addresses. 

We do not charge our customers extortionate amounts of money for arranging a card when they can obtain one by simply telephoning Sky.

A Sky Freesat card can be purchased from Sky for a one off payment of £20.00 
These cards will provide access to Channel 4, Channel 5 etc without subscribing to Sky.

Please Note: As Sky cards are intended for UK use only they can only be delivered to a UK address to obtain a card telephone Sky on 08702 404040

Subsidised Receivers for UK use only.

Beware of dealers offering a Sky Digibox with an activated subscription card, this is probably a UK subsidised receiver and subject to UK restrictions. 

These subsidised receivers may be subject to a UK telephone line connection. Some dealers were supplying the UK subsidised receivers which cost them virtually nothing to purchase, they were then selling these on as an unsubsidised receiver with a card for a huge profit. 

The problem to the consumer is that both receivers look the same and do exactly the same thing, however when activating the card you will need to contact Sky and give the serial number of the receiver, it is the serial number which indicates to Sky the type of receiver you have. 

If you have purchased a UK subsidised receiver then they may carry out periodic checks to ensure that it remains connected to a UK telephone line, if it does not remain connected then the card will be switched off. 

The unsubsidised receivers we sell do not require a telephone connection and can be used anywhere. To ensure that you are getting a fair deal, use an approved authorised dealer, we are allowed to carry both types of receivers and are very aware of the difference. 

Always remember that when requesting a Sky card, it is only Sky that are able to supply genuine subscription cards for unsubsidised receivers. Dealers can only arrange the genuine Sky cards if they are installing the equipment or using an approved local fitter, if you are asked to fill in a form by a dealer to request a card then you are probably signing for a UK subsidised receiver.

Activating your card

Once the receiver has been installed insert the Sky card into the slot at the front of the receiver and telephone Sky. They will ask for the serial number and version number of the receiver plus the viewing card number. To obtain these details go to the "Services" menu, then "System Setup", then "System Details", in this menu all the information required will be displayed on the screen. 
We often get asked can you supply the cards?, unless it is installed in the UK, Sky  will not allow any dealers to request or supply a card. This is not only illegal for a retailer to do this but can lead to the card being switched off by Sky. The receivers we supply have all been purchased at a higher price to buy out the Sky rights to the UK restrictions, they are the same as the UK receivers but are known as an unsubsidised receiver (Free from Sky UK restrictions).

How far are the Sky signals broadcast?

Generally speaking most of Europe, although the further South you go the larger the dish required. The satellites are called Astra 2a, 2b & 2d and are all located in the same position at 28 degrees East of South. 

If you want to check the reception of a particular channel go to Astra Channel Listings, beside each channel name will be Trp (Transponder) click on the Trp number to see the recommended dish size for that channel in your area. 

Shown below are the 3 main satellite beams showing the dish sizes required, the sizes shown are usually the largest dish size required, to be exact it is always best to ask a local fitter in your region. They will have expert local knowledge and can advise on the precise size of dish required to receive BBC, ITV etc.

Astra 2 Footprints (copyright SES Astra)
Astra 2 North Beam
CH4, E4, Five, Sky Movie channels, Granada channels,
British Eurosport, National Geographic, Sci-Fi channel...




Astra 2 South Beam
Welsh CH4, TCM (movies), Sky Sports, Cartoon Network,
Sky News, ITV News, CNN News, BBC Radios 2 & 4 FM,
Most "UKTV" channels (UK Gold etc.), Most Discovery channels...




Astra 2D (UK) Beam
BBC TV channels, BBC Radios 1, 3, 4 LW & 5
ITV TV channels, ITV 2, Disney channels...

Useful Calculator for pointing satellite dish

What Receiver will I need?

Sky Digital Receivers
The popular Pace DS430n is no longer being produced, this was upgraded to a Pace DS440n and now the DS445n

Sky Receivers Suitable For UK and Abroad (North & Southern Europe)

At the moment it is only the Pace 445n or the Thomson DSI4214 std  receiver which can legally be purchased as an unsubsidised receiver and therefore suitable for use abroad. NB: Unsubsidised means there are no Sky UK restrictions imposed on these receivers.

Pace DS445n or Thomson DSI 4214 (Same design)

Receivers Normally sold for UK use only

Pace DS445n 
UK Freesat Offer (Includes Sky Freesat card)

Pace Sky + Receiver 80Gb (UK Only)

Live pause, rewind, record etc, 40 hours recording time.

See: Sky Plus Receiver or Click here for prices

Used Sky Receivers

Prices include VAT

UK mainland: Next day sent via 24 hour courier.
Europe: We can deliver direct to any country, prices are approx £25 - £40 Most deliveries are sent via Parcelforce 48 hour Euro service. 

Please contact us for special quantity rates.

To order please go to our Secure Shopping Cart

For a complete range of accessories go to: Sky Accessories