If you’re like many households in Ireland, you already have a Sky dish mounted to your home. Maybe you’re looking to save money, avoid contracts, or just want access to more Irish and UK channels with no monthly bills.
It’s a common question: can you use your old Sky dish for Saorview or Free to Air TV? In this post, we’ll clear up the differences, explain what equipment you truly need, and help you find the most cost-effective solution for your home.
What Makes Saorview and Satellite TV Different?
First things first, it’s important to know that Saorview and satellite TV—like Free to Air or Freesat—use totally different technologies. Saorview is Ireland’s free Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) service. It delivers Irish channels like RTÉ and Virgin Media through a traditional aerial, similar to how older analogue signals worked.
On the other hand, Free to Air channels (including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and more) come via satellite signals, which you do receive with a Sky dish or a similar satellite dish setup.
Can I Use My Sky Dish for Saorview?
This is one of the most frequent questions we hear. Unfortunately, the answer is no—a Sky dish cannot receive Saorview channels, because it’s designed to capture satellite signals, not terrestrial ones. Saorview comes over the air using UHF signals, which require a Saorview aerial. You can’t simply plug your dish cable into a Saorview box and expect it to work.
If you want to pick up RTÉ, TG4, Virgin Media and other Irish channels via Saorview, you’ll need to install a proper aerial. The good news is that an aerial installation is quick and affordable, especially if you already have some of the cabling in place.
What About Free to Air Using My Sky Dish?
Now here’s where your Sky dish really can help you save. You can absolutely use it to receive Free to Air satellite channels—with one important consideration. If your dish was used for the Sky Q service, you will need to change the LNB (the small device on the arm of your dish) to a standard universal LNB before it will work with most Free to Air satellite boxes. Sky Q uses a different type of LNB that isn’t compatible with typical Free to Air receivers. Thankfully, swapping out the LNB is quick and inexpensive for a professional installer.
With the right free to air satellite box, you’ll have access to over 150 UK channels, including BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and many more—no subscription or monthly bills. Many customers choose to upgrade their boxes if they’re moving away from Sky, . If you want both Irish (Saorview) and UK (Free to Air) channels on one box, a Saorview combo box or combi receiver is the perfect solution.
Can You Get Saorview with a Satellite Dish?
In short, no. Saorview isn’t available through a satellite dish—the two systems are completely separate. Think of your dish as your window to the sky (satellite), while the aerial is your connection to local terrestrial signals. If you want both, you’ll need both a dish (for satellite) and an aerial (for Saorview).
For a hassle-free setup, an installer can fit both an aerial and a dish, often using a neat bracket or combined mounting to keep everything tidy on your wall or roof.
What About Freeview?
If you’re wondering about Freeview—this is a UK terrestrial service, similar to Saorview but only available in the UK. You can’t receive Freeview in Ireland using a satellite dish or an aerial; instead, Irish viewers should look out for the Free to Air satellite channels, which are very similar in content to UK Freeview, plus Saorview for Irish favourites.
Common Myths (and the Truth)
Myth: I can get Saorview with my Sky dish.
Truth: Saorview needs an aerial, not a satellite dish.
Myth: Once I cancel Sky, I can’t use the dish for anything.
Truth: You can receive loads of Free to Air channels with the right satellite receiver. If you had Sky Q service, just be sure the dish’s LNB has been upgraded to a standard type for compatibility.
Myth: Installing an aerial is expensive.
Truth: Adding a Saorview aerial is quick and often costs less than continuing with a pay-TV subscription for just one month.
What Equipment Do I Really Need?
If you already have a Sky dish and want the full range of Irish and UK channels without the bills, here’s what our customers typically choose:
Saorview aerial for Irish channels
Your current Sky satellite dish for UK Free to Air channels (with the correct LNB if you previously used Sky Q)
A Saorview combi box to combine both signals, so you can easily switch between Irish and UK channels with one remote
For those in Tallaght or surrounding areas, we can handle the saorview installation Tallaght and ensure everything works seamlessly, giving you the best of both worlds at great value.
Unsure What’s Best for You? We Can Help
There’s no need to guess when it comes to your TV setup. If you’re unsure about what’s already installed or if you need to add an aerial, give us a call. We specialise in fitting both satellite dish and Saorview systems, and
we’ll have you up and running with the channels you want, quickly and affordably.
Bringing It All Together
To sum up: your Sky dish is perfect for Free to Air satellite TV, but it can’t pick up Saorview channels. If your dish was used for Sky Q, be sure to check or upgrade the LNB for compatibility with Free to Air boxes. For those Irish channels, you’ll need a proper aerial. With a simple upgrade and the right combi box, you can enjoy all your favourite Irish and UK channels—with no monthly fee and no fuss.
If you’d like honest, practical advice—or you want to book a quick service call—our team is here to help you find cost-effective TV options Tallaght. With the right setup, you can enjoy maximum choice without the high costs. Reach out today and discover just how much you can save!