STOP PRESS.
I came across this site. www.streamick.com over the weekend. it streams live english language TV
from around the world. The streams seem to 'come and go' a bit from day to day,
but have included Channel4, BBC1 and ITV1 on a semi regular basis.
  The quality is OK when small but not brilliant when full screen.
However might be of interest to anyone who cannot receive UK Satellite TV for any reason.

********************************
Replacement 'white'  Sky Cards

Sky are replacing Viewing Cards this year, the Subscription Card change is already
 happening and now any 'genuine' FTV  Cards, less than 3 years old & registered to an
 'active' UK address will be replaced  FOC; but do require ordering.**
All the FTV, 'Ex Sub' or 'previously owned' cards will be switched off.
However the only FTV Channels are now Sky3, Fiver (&+1) & Five USA (&+1) and Viva.
You will however continue to receive ALL the FTA Channels as before !!
Channel 4 +1 (and maybe Ch.5, depending on your region) would also have
to be added and viewed as an 'Other Channel'.
See below for the details on how to perform this proceedure.

Please note the following ITV 1 regions are also encrypted :
ITV Anglia West, ITV Central South West, ITV Meridian North, ITV Meridian South East,
ITV Tyne Tees South or ITV Yorkshire East. But all the other regions can be viewed
without the need for a FTVCard; see below for how to add / view any ITV 1 Region as an 'Other Channel'.
For the moment FTV Cards are available by telephoning 08448 244 400 and have to be sent to a UK address.

Have a look at the FreesatfromSky website for further info: www.freesatfromsky.co.uk

OR.....

go to the link for replacing cards below, click on 'dont have a card'
and follow the instructions: TO A UK ADDRESS ONLY. Max. 4 cards per address.

**The latest info from SKY about the replacement of FTV Cards:

If you purchased a Sky FTV card from Sky after 1st May 2006 you are entitled to a free replacement card.
Unlike the new cards for Sky subscribers, Freesat replacement cards will not be sent out automatically, but via an onscreen message saying the card is due to expire and to contact Sky. If you do nothing then you will lose access to any FTV channels.
Sky Freesat customers have to either call Sky or apply for a new card online before the end of December 2009.

(If you purchased your FTV card before 1st May 2006 you'll have to pay £20 for a new card.)

You can apply online at: http://www.sky.com/replacecard/index.jsp

Just enter your viewing card number and it will tell you if you are eligible for a replacement.

HOWEVER, if your card was bought off a 'third party' it is highly probable you will not be eligible for a replacement and will need to purchase a new card if you require the 5 FTV Channels that the card currently decodes.

REMEMBER: DO NOT TELL SKY THE CARD WILL BE USED OUTSIDE the UK!

***************

Latest NEWS :
Channel  5 now  FTA
(but only when added as  an other Channel in some regions).

To add Channel 5:

Services> system set up>add Channels >10.773 - H - 22.00 -5/6 - Find Channels > highlight Five  yellow button>select.

To view  Channel 5 :

services > select 'other Channels' > select Five.

To add Channel4 +1 :

Services> system set up> add Channels > 10.729 - V - 22.00 -5/6 >
Find Channels > highlight 'Channel4' with  yellow button> select.

To view Channel4 +1

services > select 'other Channels' > select Channel 4 +1

*************

WATCH i-player etc here in France

I have just discovered a service 'iportal' that enables watching the
BBC 'i-player', 4OD catch up services etc. on your computer
without it being blocked. The cost is 5 euros per month or 50 euros per year.
There is a 10 euro/year discount to subscribers aged 65+.
Proof of age is required and please email them directly to
take advantage of this offer.

this here is the Link:  

iportal

*************

For anyone requiring a Digibox Instruction Manual: 

Please go to the following link:

Sky Digibox Manual

***************

For anyone wanting Sky Remote Control Codes have a look at  this site
where they have a list.

sky remote control codes

********************

Adding More ITV 1 Regions to Sky Digibox

Follow the procedure below to add additional ITV regions on your Sky Digibox

This information has been updated in September 2008.

Procedure

1. Press "Services" on the Sky handset (button 4)
2. Select "Add Channels" by pressing button 4 again on the Sky Handset.
3. Enter the five digit frequency (from the table below) using the handset number buttons.
4. Move to the next Sky onscreen menu item (below) using the down arrow button.
5. Use the left / right arrow button to select the correct polarity (H or V) from the table below.
6. Use the left/right arrow buttons to set Symbol Rate and FEC as shown in the table below.
7. Scroll down to the "Find Channels" option onscreen menu and then press "Select"
8. Select the ITV 1 region/s required by pressing the Sky handset yellow button .
   
9. then press "select" to store the channel
   
10. Press "select" again and  then the "Sky/Sat" button to exit the "Add channels" menu.

To view the additional  ITV 1 regions, press "Services" on the Sky handset and then scroll down to "Other Channels" (button 6) and scroll down to the alternative ITV1 region you have manually added and press select to view it. To return to your existing Sky EPG channels by using the Channel up and Down buttons on the Sky handset.

PLEASE NOTE: It is not possible to add the additional ITV1 regions into the "NORMAL" Sky EPG. They ALWAYS have to be viewed by the above    procedure.
< In case you are unaware, all BBC1 & 2 regions are transmitted on Sky EPG channels 971 to 992. >

Sky Digibox

To add channels to your "Other Channels" option on a Sky Digibox then simply do the following....

· With your digibox turned on, press the "Services" button (near the top of the remote).
· Select number 4 ("System Setup"), and then 4 again ("Add Channels").
· In the appropriate fields enter the information required (you move through the fields using the up and down arrow keys).

· In the FREQUENCY field enter the 5 digit code, (it starts with either 10___ 11___ or 12___ in the table below). Don't worry about the . in the frequencies in the table below, they are not required on Sky Digiboxes.

· The next three fields are toggle fields, i.e. use the left and right arrow buttons to change the values.

Toggle Polarisation - either H or V
Toggle Symbol Rate - either 22000 or 27500 (29500 cannot be received on a Sky Digibox)
Toggle FEC - either 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6 or 7/8 (only 2/3, 3/4 or 5/6 are used on the channels below)

· Then move down to the last last option - "Find Channels".

· Use the Yellow button to place a tick beside each channel you find and wish to store and when you've finished ticking press "SELECT". These channels will now be stored in your "OTHER CHANNELS" menu. (Press "SERVICES" then select "OTHER CHANNELS" at the bottom).

Non-Sky Satellite Receivers

For the many Non-Sky FTA satellite receivers that are available out there, you will have to consult your user manual for how to scan for new channels as each box have different menu systems and options.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, the following channels are now all available via satellite FTA (Free To Air), meaning no card is required, just tune it in and you can watch away. (The many UK regional variations are also available in the table below this one and many are found generally on the same frequencies as the Irish versions).

Channel Name	Frequency	Polarisation	Symbol Rate	F.E.C.
-
BBC ONE NI	10.773	H	22000	5/6
BBC TWO NI	10.803	H	22000	2/3
BBC THREE / CBBC	10.773	H	22000	5/6
BBC FOUR / CBeebies	10.773	H	22000	5/6
BBC HD	10.847	V	22000	5.6
-
UTV	10.906	V	22000	5/6
ITV 2	10.758	V	22000	5/6
ITV 2+1	10.891	H	22000	5/6
ITV 3	10.906	V	22000	5/6
ITV 3+1	10.906	V	22000	5/6
ITV 4	10.758	V	22000	5/6
ITV 4+1	10.832	H	22000	5/6
ITV HD (see two * sections below)	11.428	H	27500	2/3
CITV	10.758	V	22000	5/6
Men & Motors	10.891	H	22000	5/6
-
Channel 4 (see # below)	10.714	H	22000	5/6
Channel 4 +1 (see # below)	10.729	V	22000	5/6
Channel 4 HD (see bold text below)	11.798	H	29500	3/4
E4 (see # below)	10.729	V	22000	5/6
E4 +1 (see # below)	10.729	V	22000	5/6
More 4 (see # below)	10.729	V	22000	5/6
More 4 +1 (see # below)	10.714	H	22000	5/6
Film 4 (see # below)	10.714	H	22000	5/6
Film 4 +1 (see # below)	10.714	H	22000	5/6
-
FIVE	10.773	H	22000	5/6
FIVE USA (see bold text below)	12.422	H	27500	2/3
FIVE USA +1 (see bold text below)	12.422	H	27500	2/3
FIVER (see bold text below	12.422	H	27500	2/3
FIVER +1 (see bold text below)	12.422	H	27500	2/3

UK REGIONAL CHANNELS	Frequency	Polarisation	Symbol Rate	F.E.C.
-
BBC 1 REGIONS
-
London	10.773	H	22000	5/6
West Midlands, North West, East Yorkshire & Lincolnshire	10.788	V	22000	5/6
Yorkshire & North Midlands, East Midlands, East	10.788	V	22000	5/6
Wales and Scotland	10.803	H	22000	5/6
West, South East, South, South West, North East & Cumbria, Oxford	10.818	V	22000	5/6
Cambridge and Channel Islands	10.847	V	22000	5/6
-
BBC 2 REGIONS
-
England	10.773	H	22000	5/6
Scotland and Wales	10.803	H	22000	5/6
-
ITV 1 REGIONS
-
London, Granada, Anglia North and Central West	10.758	V	22000	5/6
Central South, Central East and Border England	10.832	V	22000	5/6
Westcountry West, Westcountry South West and Wales	10.832	V	22000	5/6
Border Scotland, Tyne Tees North and Meridian South	10.891	H	22000	5/6
Meridian South East, Anglia South and Yorkshire West	10.891	H	22000	5/6
Channel TV, STV North, STV West and STV East	10.906	V	22000	5/6
Meridian North, Meridian Sussex and Anglia West	12.402	V	27500	2/3
Yorkshire East, Tyne Tees South and Central South West	12.402	V	27500	2/3
-
OTHER BBC CHANNELS
-
BBC NEWS, BBC PARLIAMENT, BBC ALBA	11.954	H	27500	2/3
-
BBC RED BUTTON INTERACTIVE STREAMS
-
BBCi Stream 4.0 and BBCi Stream 4.1	11.954	H	27500	2/3
BBCi Stream 3.0, BBCi Stream 3.1, BBCi Stream 3.2	12.441	V	27500	2/3
BBCi Stream 3.3, BBCi Stream 3.4, BBCi Stream 3.5, BBCi Stream 3.6	12.441	V	27500	2/3
-
BBC RADIO STATIONS
-
BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4 DAB	11.954	H	27500	2/3
BBC Radio 4 LW, BBC Radio Scotland AM, BBC Radio Wales FM	11.954	H	27500	2/3
BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Asian Network, BBC World Service UK	11.954	H	27500	2/3
BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 1Xtra, BBC Radio 6, BBC Radio 7	11.954	H	27500	2/3
BBC Radio nan Gaidheal, BBC London 94.9 FM	11.954	H	27500	2/3
BBC Radio 5 Live, 5Live Sports Extra	10803	H	22000	5/6

OTHER UK FTA CHANNELS WORTH TUNING IN	Frequency	Polarisation	Symbol Rate	F.E.C.
-
MUSIC
-
Chartshow TV	11.642	V	27500	2/3
The Vault	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Bliss	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Scuzz	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Flaunt	11.642	V	27500	2/3
NME TV	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Flava	11.642	V	27500	2/3
-
KIDS CHANNELS
-
Kix!	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Pop!	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Pop Girl	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Pop Girl +1	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Tiny Pop	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Tiny Pop +1	11.642	V	27500	2/3
-
MOVIES
-
True Movies	11.642	V	27500	2/3
True Movies 2	11.642	V	27500	2/3
Movies 4 Men	11.224	V	27500	2/3
Movies 4 Men +1	12.523	V	27500	2/3
Movies 4 Men 2	11.224	V	27500	2/3
Movies 4 Men 2 +1	11.260	V	27500	2/3
Simply Movies	11.343	V	27500	2/3
World Movies	12.643	V	27500	2/3
Film 24	12.690	V	27500	2/3
-
ENTERTAINMENT
-
Zone Horror	11.261	H	27500	2/3
Zone Horror +1	11.222	H	27500	2/3
Zone Reality	12.254	V	27500	2/3
Zone Reality +1	11.261	H	27500	2/3
Zone Romantica	11.343	V	27500	2/3
Zone Thriller	12.560	V	27500	2/3
Paranormal Channel	11.488	V	27500	2/3
-
NEWS
-
Al Jazeera	11.681	V	27500	2/3
Bloomberg	11.426	V	27500	2/3
CCTV 9	11.662	H	27500	2/3
CNN	12.051	V	27500	2/3
EuroNews	12.560	V	27500	2/3
France 24	11.488	V	27500	2/3
NHK World	11.681	V	27500	2/3
Press TV	12.690	V	27500	2/3
Russia Today	11.623	H	27500	2/3
Sky News	12.207	V	27500	2/3

Channels in bold cannot currently be viewed FTA and require a subscription or FTV viewing card, but there is a strong chance that they will become FTA in the future, when suitable space is found on the Astra 2D transponder. Their frequencies will almost certainly change so if and when they do become available for FTA viewing, their details will be amended on the table for all to easily find and the bold status will be removed so you will know when the frequency provided is for a working FTA version of the channel.

The FTV channels are listed here anyway for reference and also for people who are using a CAM and FTV card to watch so they can tune them in also. Note that FIVE USA and FIVER cannot be viewed on an Irish Sky card and will only work on a UK subscription or FTV card.

# All Channel 4 related channels including timeshifts (+1's) and spin-offs (E4, More 4, Film 4 etc) are the Northern Irish/UK versions of the channels and are completely unrestricted so there will be no programmes blocked such as movies or US imports.

* For most Free To Air HD Receivers ITV HD can be tuned in, but, it requires you to either tune in another channel altogether and edit its details to the correct ITV HD settings in order to view, (this is done either on the STB itself or via a PC depending on manufacturer), OR you can download a channel list for your STB, (again, depending on the manufacturer), and load the channel this way by connecting your STB to your PC via serial port or USB.

* ITVHD will have channel ID 10510

***As of March 2009, ITV HD can be tuned into a Sky+HD box BUT ONLY IF it is running the new HD version of the EPG which was released to Thompson STB's from 10th March 2009. (Rollout to all Sky+HD boxes is due to be completed by Summer 2009). The channel only shows one or two HD programmes a day and it does not carry EPG listings so you will have to check listings for the channel yourself, it also cannot be recorded from on a Sky+HD STB.***

ITV HD is currently an interactive application broadcast on Eurobird 28.5, but may launch at some point in the future as a full channel that can be tuned in normally like the rest of the channels on the list. This will only happen is sufficient space is found on Astra 2D and if this does happen, the table will be updated with the new tuning information.