Now perhaps I'm being a bit thick, but could someone clear this up for me? I know BBC, ITV etc have disappeared from our screens and we are left with a few minor channels on free to view, but is Sky 1, 2 Atlantic etc still available if you have a viewing card and are paying Sky for the privilege? I have been away and on my return the message I get is "you have the wrong viewing card" for these channels- contacted Sky who gave me the usual blurb about switching off box, reinserting card, and all should be OK, but its not so far! This has happened before, it seems they cancel card if you don't use tv for a certain length of time (although they still take your money). With the various changeovers, I am confused, can I no longer get Sky? If so why doesn't it say, like the other channels, no satellite signal being received. Can someone clear up this for me please.

Seems your card may have been deactivated, ringing them from Portugal wouldn't have helped either, you are only supposed to use a UK SKY card in the UK, and if they find out it is in use outside the UK they do have the right to cancel it. You may need to get a new viewing card, BUT you must get it sent to a UK address.

If your box is switched off for approx 1 month then your card does not receive the activation signals that it should continually get. When you then switch your box on you get the message "wrong viewing card". If you leave your box switched on for 24 hours the it receives a new activation signal and reactivates, In other words leave your box switched on for a couple of days and all will be well

no I didn't phone them, used e mail, but I have phoned in the past using my UK mobile. I am in process of leaving box on for 24 hours hoping it will sort it! My main query is are we still getting Sky in Portugal?

Can no one answer my query? Is Sky still available in Portugal?

For the time being, although there has been talk of yet another new sat being launched and SKY moving some of its channels over.

Thank you

Hi Smen

Perhaps a bit of time spent doing some research on the various Expat forums may give you the answer.

Peter " Dreams can come true "

Sky is still available, I'm watching Sky News now. Don't phone them with a UK mobile from Portugal as they know you're calling from here. Call from the UK or get someone there to call them for you.

I would add that I have phoned them on a UK mobile from Portugal, in the past with no problem. All they see is the +44 and mobile no. from what I know. They have now agreed to issue a new viewing card to me. Can I also say that I have done extensive research on the whole issue of UK tv in Portugal, but wanted a straightforward answer to my query from someone here who is linked to the Sky system. I can get Sky news by the way. Not sure why some people have to be so picky

Do not mention that you are in Portugal or have any interest in receiving SKY outside of the UK.
Leave well alone.
Last week the only main channel UK TV we watched was BBC news via the internet.

I wonder; if the activation codes are sent through one of the transponders on the new tight beam, then all the viewing cards outside the beam will stop working after a while, even for the channels that are still available.

I wondered this, but recall last time card failed and I rang them they checked all the details via my tv screen, I had to read them out, etc. Everything is as it was then, the BBC etc channel say"no satellite signal etc" and sky based ones say"wrong viewing card inserted" we can but try, Pick and True drama are getting a bit wearing!

I know someone who installed a new card on the 7th which was after BBC moved but before ITV moved, and it works OK on the remaining channels.

However that was probably to soon too be a positive answer.

Hi
I have skybox in Portugal and it is working fine minus bbc etc., found this on Spanish forum and I have done and it works.:
*******

One tip that is working for some people who have lost channel4 on 104

If you have lost Channel 4 in this mornings satellite move, then it may be possible - depending on dish size and location and a sky subscription card , to continue to watch Channel 4 by adding the Irish encrypted version of the channel to your Sky box's "Other Channels" list by adding them using frequency 12480 v 27.5 2/3

http://www.satandpcguy.com/blog/2014...bscriptin-try/