Chris

The only benefit that is really claimed for FreesatFromSky so far as I can see is that it gives you an upgrade path if you later decide to subscribe - Sky will be able to 'hit' the subscriber card in your Sky box to convert it into a fully-functioning Sky box. I don't see how that's any kind of benefit though, because the chances are if you ever decide you want Sky you'll find someone offering free installation and you will then have a free Sky box and a second Freesat box you can put in a spare room.

The downsides of FSFS - and they are major IMO - are that in the meantime, all the Sky channels are in the FSFS EPG, which makes navigating by channel up/down a right PITA; and if you have a Sky+ box working in so-called 'free'sat mode you still need to pay Sky a monthly fee to keep the record functionality working.

I have just upgraded from an old Sky Pace SD box that has been operating in FSFS mode for the past 3 years, to a Freesat PVR. I have the Echostar box which has Sling functionality built in (very handy for streaming the box to a computer elsewhere in the house via WiFi LAN). Also we have had Freesat in our holiday flat for some years now.

I much prefer 'proper' Freesat to Sky's offering. The EPG is uncluttered by channels I can't get and, best of all, I can record as much as I darned well like without paying anybody a penny.

Dave does not appear on any free satellite service. The channel is encrypted and subject to an exclusive satellite carriage deal with Sky. That deal does not extend to terrestrial broadcast so they put it out in the clear on Freeview, but they have no plans to upset the apple cart with Sky and do the same on Freesat. Believe me, lots of people have asked them, me included. Who knows though, if enough people eventually have a Freesat box they may feel there is more to be gained by reaching a bigger audience than there is by taking the shilling from Sky to keep the channel locked up.