When reading debt advice forums one of the first “non-essentials” people are advised to cut out of their lives is their Sky TV Subscription yet it’s amazing how reluctant many of those in serious debt are to do so.

A basic Sky subscription currently costs £234 a year and a Sky+ Subscription with the sports package is an eye watering £600 a year (not including any set up or installation costs). Yet there are lots of free alternatives and lets face it how much television can a family really watch? It doesn’t seem that long ago we put up with 3 channels which were only on for a few hours a day – so lets’s look at some of the alternatives:

• FreeSat – This is where you simply cancel your Sky service and continue to receive 150+ free tv and radio channels through your existing satellite dish and set top box. For non Sky subscribers you just need to buy a Freesat box or have TV with FreeSat installed.
• Freeview – With a normal aerial and a Freeview or Freeview+ box you can connect to up to 50 digital TV channels and 24 digital radio stations. As it’s digital you get a better picture and sound quality and all those interactive features when you press the red button on your remote. Many TV’s now come with Freevie already installed meaning you won’t need a set top box.
• BBC iPlayer – With the help of your Nintendo Wii or connecting your pc to your TV you can watch BBC iPlayer for free on your home television. It uses an internet connection so just make sure you have an unlimited bandwidth usage with your broadband provider.
• BT Vision & Virgin Media - If you have a Phone or Broadband package with BT or Virgin then they offer alternatives to Sky for Digital TV which could save you money.

No related posts.